Why Earn a Computer Science MBA?


A Computer Science MBA is a type of dual degree, which is the CS/MBA (Master of Science in Computer Science with MBA). The degree is designed for students who are interested in both leadership and technology, and it prepares them to become entrepreneurs or executives in these types of industry. Because the degree is a dual degree, most students will need to apply to two separate schools within the same university system.  Jump to AACSB Online MBA Programs for 2017.

Why Earn a Computer Science MBA?

By completing a Computer Science MBA, you will gain knowledge that can benefit you for the rest of your life. You will gain unique knowledge and an in depth perspective of both business and computer science, which you can then apply to grow and change the path of your career.

Essentially, the program combines the best of both degrees, ensuring that graduates can meet their personal future goals. They are exposed to incredibly interesting material, while also being give important networking opportunities. Most importantly, it enables them to significantly advance their career and, thereby, they salary and personal and professional standing.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for a Computer Science MBA can be somewhat complex. Schools can set their own admission requirements, although they are usually reasonably similar across the board. The difficulty, however, is that this degree is almost always classed as a dual degree, which means students must apply to two schools, which may have different application requirements. The program is offered at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, which has the following requirements:

• A four year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
• GMAT/GRE scores
• A resume demonstrating professional work experience
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Completion of essays on specific topics
• Interviews
• TOEFL/IELTS or other English language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers

One of the key differences between these application requirements and those for other MBA programs, is that there is generally an expectation for the bachelor’s degree to have been completed in an area that is relevant to the field of computer sciences.

Curriculum and Courses

In order for a school and a program to receive accreditation, they must deliver a certain standard of education through their curriculum. Because the Computer Science MBA is a dual degree, it is important that you, as a student, look into the accreditation of both degrees. This will guarantee that there a standard of education that will be accepted across the country, if not the world, is followed. The curriculum offered by Stanford Engineering is a good example of what to expect. Their courses include:

• Logic, Automata, and Complexity.
• Probability.
• Algorithmic Analysis
• Computer Organization and Systems
• Principles of Computer Systems
• Operating Systems and Systems Programming
• Compilers
• Introduction to Computer Networking
• Introduction to Databases
• Introduction to Computer Graphics and Imaging
• Software Project Experience with Corporate Partners
• Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques
• General Game Playing
• Program Analysis and Optimizations
• Interactive Computer Graphics
• Project in Mining Massive Data Sets
• Database System Implementation
• Modeling for Investment Management
• Corporate Financial Modeling
• Electronic Business
• Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital: Partnership for Growth
• Entrepreneurship: Formation of New Ventures
• Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
• The Startup Garage: Design
• Aligning Start-ups with their Market
• The Startup Garage: Testing & Launch
• Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
• Financial Markets I
• Financial Markets II
• Corporate Finance Theory
• Empirical Asset Pricing
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Empirical Dynamic Asset Pricing
• Advanced Empirical Methods
• Microeconomic Analysis I
• Microeconomic Analysis II
• Auctions, Bargaining, and Pricing
• Econometric Methods II
• Multiperson Decision Theory
• Macroeconomics
• Empirical Analysis of Dynamic Decision Contexts

Career Outcomes and Job Titles

Those who have completed a Computer Science MBA can take on a wealth of positions across a variety of organizations. Some of the most popular positions include:

• Vice President of Information Technology
• Chief Information Security Officer
• Project Manager of Information Technology
• CIO (Chief Information Officer)
• Senior Software Product Manager

Job Salary & Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that all Computer and Information Research Scientists earned an average annual salary of $110,620 per year as of May 2015. The BLS also predicts an 11% increase in demand for these professionals from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average.

Scholarships and Grants

Women in Computer Science Scholarship, which is offered by the website LearningPath.org to women in the industry of computer science. A $1,000 scholarship is offered to these students.

Fondation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarships for African and Asian Women, which is offered to those who have been affected by famine, drought, or natural disasters. Students must enroll in an MBA program at HEC Paris to be eligible, where a Computer Science concentration is also offered. The scholarship is to the value of 20,000 euros and is given to women who can demonstrate leadership skills in sustainable development practices, charity engagement, or community work. They must also demonstrate that they wish to solve economical and social issues in their country, while also increasing their security and safety.

AAUW Selected Professional Focus Professions Group Fellowships, which provide women from minority backgrounds enrolled in graduate studies financial assistance for their living expenses and tuition fees. Applicants from studies in which minority women are particularly underrepresented, which includes second year MBA programs, are welcomed to apply. The award ranges from $5,000 to $18,000.

CyberCorps Scholarship For Service, which is offered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It was created through a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. The goal is to attract computer science students into fields of cyber security and information assurance. Students are provided with living allowances of between $20,000 to $30,000 and expenses such as tuition, health insurance, and other fees are also paid for.

Additional Resources

international Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT)
Association for Computing Machinery
IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS)
International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR)
Open Source Initiative (OSI)