The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has launched a new Master of Science (MS) in Business degree that aims to prepare students fresh out of their undergraduate studies for the realities of the current business landscape.
The one-year program kicks off in Fall 2021 and there’s no work experience, GMAT or GRE score required for admission. The program is designed to equip candidates with the foundational, transferable skills they need to launch a successful career in any industry—regardless of their undergraduate degree.
Here are five ways a business master’s will kickstart your career:
1. You’ll acquire core business skills
Pepperdine’s new business master’s will focus on the skills that are required for business innovation and career growth. Modules cover accounting, finance, data analytics, entrepreneurship, leadership, business law, and real estate.
There’s also a focus on knowledge application and leveraging emerging technology to tackle current problems facing business and society.
“In terms of curriculum, we're more focused on providing a very condensed intro to many different areas of the business world,” explains Abraham Park (pictured right), associate dean for full-time programs at Pepperdine as well as an associate professor of finance. “Out of this course, we're hoping that candidates will become a lot more qualified because this is a skills-oriented course, rather than conceptual.”
2. You’ll learn about the latest technology trends
The MS in Business has a keen focus on new technology trends, and places students at the forefront of what is happening in the business world now. Modules cover Entrepreneurship and the Generation of New Venture Ideas, Applied Data Analysis, Technology and Operations Management, and Designing, Sourcing, and Building Digital Platforms.
“We have some exciting electives that they can choose from,” says Abraham. “Classes on luxury value creation, entertainment, media and digital entertainment, that are really great.”
Students who find they are interested in a specific area can apply for a bridge program—course transfer credits—and take classes from Pepperdine’s other specialized master’s programs, including the MS in Applied Finance, MS in Real Estate, or MS in Business Analytics.
3. You’ll gain real industry experience
Undergraduate students can sometimes finish their degrees with limited work experience and time spent applying what they’ve learned. The MS in Business at Pepperdine places an emphasis on applied knowledge and collaborating with industry.
By taking theoretical study and applying it to real-world workplace scenarios, students are able to grow their experience while expanding and enhancing their knowledge, even if they have limited prior work experience.
Over the course of the 12-month business master’s students work in group projects to solve real-world problems facing companies today.
4. You’ll become more entrepreneurial
Graduate management education can be a great way to enhance your skills and convert your hobbies into a profitable business.
Brian McGilvray (pictured right) teaches courses in leadership and ethics, business law, employment law, and human resources at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. He was also approached by the school’s academic dean for full-time programs and asked to be the chair of the faculty committee that oversaw the development of the MS in Business.
He explains that the business master’s is for candidates who “don't have undergraduate business degrees, and have an interest in learning more about business, or might have a family business they are going into.”
To do that successfully, entrepreneurial skills are important. There’s a woman who's applied for the inaugural cohort, for example, who has a degree in sports medicine. She wants to launch her own business providing therapies and consulting to sports teams.
5. You’ll understand the role business plays in society
Pepperdine encourages its students to think sustainably. The school offers its MBA students a certificate in Socially, Environmentally, and Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Strategy, which allows students to complement their MBA with courses and activities that will push them to be more mindful business leaders and entrepreneurs.
On the new MS in Business, the same approach is applied. It is important to be able to step into the business world with an understanding of the role business plays within society and the role economies, the environment, and diversity play in business.
“We're offering things like leadership and ethics as a course that has a huge focus on ethical leadership, that also covers sustainability and good corporate citizenship,” explains Brian.
Ensuring the next generation of managers understand not only socially conscious investment and supply chains, but also responsible corporate etiquette and social responsibility, is vital to creating more ethical business. A business master’s could be the right way for you to kickstart your career and become the type of ethical leader the world needs.
