Master of Business Administration
Full-Time The Paul Merage School of Business · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Full-Time M.B.A.
Email: mba@merage.uci.edu
The Full-time Master in Business Administration (MBA) program at the Paul Merage School of Business is a two-year program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in a digitally driven world. Ranked among the top 5% of business schools worldwide, the Full-time MBA offers a unique blend of coursework, real-world experiences, and career development opportunities. The first-year curriculum focuses on building a strong foundation in business acumen through a structured curriculum, while the second year allows students to tailor their education with a variety of electives. Students benefit from experiential learning, global residential, internships, and workshops designed to enhance career resiliency.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the University of California, Irvine, Full-Time MBA Program Office, The Paul Merage School of Business, SB1 4500, Irvine, CA 92697-3125; or visit the Full-Time MBA website.
Admission
The admission evaluation for the Full-Time MBA program at the Paul Merage School of Business involves a comprehensive assessment of all submitted materials, including academic transcripts, work experience, essays, and references*. While there are no specific prerequisites, the Admissions Committee seeks evidence of quantitative proficiency and strong verbal skills. Applicants from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, such as liberal arts, sciences, computer science, and engineering, are welcome, however a quantitative background is encouraged, especially for those interested in the concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership, with preferred undergraduate degrees in fields such as mathematics, computer science, economics, statistics, engineering, or physics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final deadline typically around April 1. Prospective students should consult the MBA Admissions Office for specific application details. The Merage School's curriculum distinguishes students as leaders in data-driven decision-making, the role of information technology, and digitally-driven leadership.
*Formal letters of recommendation will be requested if the applicant's GPA is below 3.0.
Requirements
The Full-Time MBA program requires a minimum of 92 units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the core curriculum and overall. Students in the concentration that do not meet this GPA requirements will be advised to transfer out of the concentration to ensure their academic success. The curriculum consists of courses divided into two groups designed to achieve specific educational objectives. Ten required Common Core Courses (40 units) and 52 units of elective courses which students select to emphasize career goals and educational interests. For those students pursuing a concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership, students must enroll in four electives from the below concentration list as well one required elective: MGMTMBA 270. A thesis is not required.
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Complete: | ||
| MGMTMBA 200 | Thinking Strategically in the Digital Age | |
| MGMTMBA 201A | Business Analytics: Decision-Making | |
| MGMTMBA 202 | Organizational Leadership for Management | |
| MGMTMBA 203A | Financial Reporting | |
| MGMTMBA 204A | Microeconomics for Management in the Digital Age | |
| MGMTMBA 205 | Marketing Principles | |
| MGMTMBA 207 | Competing with Digital: Technology, Analytics, and Platforms | |
| MGMTMBA 208 | Operational Excellence: Processes, Models, and Analytics | |
| MGMTMBA 209A | Managerial Finance | |
| MGMTMBA 210 | Strategy: Foundations and Dynamics | |
| B. Select 52 units of electives | ||
Concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Complete: | ||
| MGMTMBA 270 | Data Camp for Managers | |
| B. Select 16 units from the following list of electives: | ||
| MGMT FE 281 | Analytical Decision Models for Managers | |
| MGMT FE 215 | Strategy in a Digital Age | |
| MGMTMBA 245 | FinTech and the Digital Economy for Business | |
| orMGMT FE 245 | FinTech and the Digital Economy | |
| MGMT FE 273 | Machine Learning Analytics for Managers | |
| MGMTMBA 274 | Data and Programming for Analytics | |
| orMGMT FE 278 | Data and Programming for Analytics | |
| MGMTMBA 285 | Supply Chain Analytics | |
| MGMTMBA 288 | Predictive Analytics for Business | |
| orMGMT FE 288 | Predictive Analytics | |
| MGMT FE 294 | Edge for Managers | |
| C. Select 34 units of electives | ||
Residence Requirement. Five quarters.
International Requirement. Students must fulfill the requirement in one of the following ways: completion of a Paul Merage School of Business international elective in a functional area; participation in a Paul Merage School of Business international exchange program; or completion of an upper-division or graduate international course offered by another UC school, with the approval of The Paul Merage School of Business Associate Dean.
Electives. In addition to the core courses, 52 more units of elective courses are required. Of the 52 units of electives, 18 units for the Analytics in Digital Leadership concentration are outlined above. The major emphasis in the elective courses is to develop additional depth in a discipline or interdisciplinary area or specialized competence in the use of a particular set of technical tools and methods. Students select their electives in light of their educational and career goals and interests.