Become the effective, influential leader in business you’re called to be. The MBA with a concentration in organizational leadership is great for professionals striving to lead teams, departments, or organizations to successfully achieve their goals and purpose. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 12 months. 

 With an MBA, you’ll learn to take control of your career by acquiring four important drivers of influential leadership:

• Deep qualitative and quantitative business knowledge
• Wisdom in the face of important decisions
• A powerful personal network
• Inspiration to follow your purpose

In-depth learning for rising leaders

The organizational leadership concentration is designed to help emerging professionals have the confidence and expertise to manage, unite, and inspire diverse teams toward a common goal. 

With this program, you’ll gain proficiency and professional experience in skills such as:

• Leadership theory and application

• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Organizational communication
• Ethical decision-making
• And more!

In addition to this concentration, we also offer 3 other MBA concentrations: 

• MBA, Global Leadership
• MBA, Project Management
• MBA, Sport Management

You can alternatively select a General MBA and take 9 units of elective courses in any of these areas, so you can focus on the skills and expertise that fit your passions and career goals.

Education that fits your schedule

Learn when and where you want — this program is designed for full-time professionals. With online asynchronous and evening in-person course offerings, you’ll be able to choose classes that fit perfectly with your schedule, interests, and career goals. 

Some courses are offered with a high-flex modality, which will give you the flexibility to choose to learn online asynchronously, in person, or virtually via Zoom for each class session.

With just 27 core business units and 9 units toward organizational leadership, students can complete the MBA program within as little as 12 months.

Academia to prepare you for success

The Fermanian School of Business MBA program is committed to serving the experienced business professional with the best value in quality, academic rigor, professional support services, and individual attention to support students in meeting their academic and professional goals. 

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Visit the ACBSP's website for more information.  

Program Start Date(s):

• Spring 2025 Quad II — March 17, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad I — May 12, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad II — July 7, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — September 2, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 27, 2025

Application Deadline(s):

• Spring 2025 Quad II — February 28, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad I — April 25, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad II — June 20, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — August 15, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 10, 2025

All applications submitted after this date will be reviewed based on availability of space.

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The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application. However, if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package and the exceptions policy.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission-under-exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's MBA program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript that indicates the completion of an undergraduate degree.
If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to: 
   Point Loma Nazarene University 
   Office of Graduate Admissions 
   3900 Lomaland Dr. 
   San Diego, CA 92106 
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to: 
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu 
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit a personal essay. See the essay prompt for the MBA program in the essay section of the application.

4. Submit a resume/vita.

5. Submit two (2) professional references (name, contact info, and relationship to applicant)

6. Interview with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Business Education

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State Authorization

In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

The Fermanian School of Business is committed to serving all MBA students with the best value in quality, academic rigor, professional support services, and individual attention to assist students in meeting their academic and professional goals. 

Student Profile

Jasmine Sadler

PLNU MBA student Jasmine Sadler believes so much in combining the arts with the sciences that she started her own business which aims to push science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education to younger generations.

Read More

As a result, PLNU MBA alumni are working in a wide range of prominent companies throughout San Diego, including:

• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Pacifica Companies
• Merrill Lynch
• Bank of the West
• Scripps Health
• Electronic Arts
• Northrop Grumman
• Fastenal
• Cyber
• Wells Fargo
• General Atomics
• San Diego Zoo
• Sharp Healthcare
• Quidel Corporation
• SAIC
• Biota
• Pacira Pharmaceuticals
• Qualcomm
• BioNano Genomics
• Clearfield Sports
• MedImpact

Dean’s Scholarships are available for those who qualify. Please contact your Enrollment Counselor for more details.

For information about the courses required for the MBA, Organizational Leadership program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information