MBA Candidates FAQ

Educational Opportunities for MBA Students

How do I apply for the MBA Emphasis/Certificate or MBA Concentration/Certificate in Dispute Resolution?

Those students that elect to participate in the Certificate program through Pepperdine's MBA program need to submit the Certificate Application for Current Pepperdine Students. Students must be in good standing with the MBA program to be eligible to participate.

I am a Pepperdine MBA student, can I just take one class and not participate in the Emphasis or Concentration in Dispute Resolution?

Yes. To register for just one class, you will need to submit a cross-registration form to the Dispute Resolution Joint Program Administrator.

How do I register for courses?

Students in the MBA program can not register via WaveNet. All registration will be done through the cross-registration form process.

Will Dispute Resolution courses affect my MBA GPA?

No. Since the law school and GSBM use two different grading systems, your grades in dispute resolution courses will not be calculated into your MBA GPA. All courses are noted on your transcript with grades, but are not calculated in your GPA.

Where can I take courses?

Although Pepperdine's MBA program is offered in a variety of Pepperdine's satellite campuses, the Straus Institute's dispute resolution courses are only available at the Malibu campus.

What can I do with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution?

The MBA Emphasis and Concentration programs were created to provide business professionals an opportunity to learn the tools to resolve conflict in the workplace. Many MBA graduates have used their skills through roles as a business manager, contract administrator, labor relations manager, ombuds, human resource generalist and other non-traditional dispute resolution positions. Others have chosen to go into private practice and mediate business disputes. The Certificate program goes over and beyond the 40 hour training requirement of various courthouses.

What if I am interested in the MDR after I have completed my MBA emphasis or concentration requirements?

All of the courses taken as part of the MBA Emphasis/Certificate or MBA Concentration/Certificate are transferable into the MDR program* must apply and gain admissions to the program. All 14 units of dispute resolution courses completed under the MBA program will transfer into the MDR program, leaving 18 units to complete the degree.

* Students earning their MBA through the Seaver 5 year program cannot transfer any units to Straus' MDR program.