CIAM
📍 Locations: Alhambra, CA (LA Metropolitan)
🔖 Day 1 CPT Programs: MBA-Project Management; MBA-Business Analytics
🎖 Accreditation: WASC
🎱 Type: Private Non-Profit
💰 Program Tuition: $27,036
⏱️ Program Duration: 24 months
🚖 On-Site Visit: 2 weekends / Semester
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University Overview
Cohen (President Emeritus) and Ms. Jennie Ta (President), has thrived with the generous support of philanthropist Mr. Minglo Shao, the institution's principal benefactor. Mr. Shao, a significant contributor to educational initiatives, is also the founder of the Peter F. Drucker Academy in China and Hong Kong, a social enterprise committed to preserving Drucker’s management legacy.
The university maintains a student-teacher ratio of 1:12 and, as of January 2020, boasts a graduation rate of 84.6%.
Accreditation
CIAM is accredited by several prestigious bodies, including:
- The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)
- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- The Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC)
- The National Education Related Accreditation (NERA)

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Locations
Situated in Alhambra, Los Angeles, near the 210 and 10 Freeways, CIAM is just a 60-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport. The school is a mere 20-minute drive from downtown LA, offering a prime location for students.
CIAM provides a flexible and innovative educational approach, utilizing a hybrid model of teaching that combines online and field courses. The school has transitioned to requiring attendance only twice per semester, starting from Fall 2024, accommodating six enrollment windows each year for added flexibility.
CPT Policies at CIAM
For I-20 transfer students, CIAM offers capstone courses for students to potentially work with a real employer. You can utilize your CPT internships from the first day of school, ensuring a seamless transition available 365 days a year. The total program tuition is set at an affordable $27,000, including textbooks, and students can take advantage of flexible payment options, paying semester-by-semester at an average of $1,000 per month. International students with a GPA above 3.8 may qualify for an exclusive $3,000 Academic Scholarship.
CIAM has forged partnerships with well-known companies such as Universal Studios and Coca-Cola, allowing students to engage in consulting programs with these esteemed firms. The school emphasizes a less stressful academic environment, with no exams or tests, focusing instead on practical knowledge and real-world experience.
CIAM authorizes Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students enrolled in an Experiential Internship Course (INT501 or INT599). CPT employment is defined as “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” To qualify, the work experience must be related to the student’s degree. Students can take a maximum of one INT course per term. These courses are zero-unit courses and do not count toward the Full-Time Student requirement. CPT authorizations are not automatically renewed each term and students must apply or re-apply every term.
CPT Qualification
- Has a valid F-1 status for at least 1 year (International Student who are on a new I-20 have to wait until their 3rd term to take INT501).
- Full-time students at CIAM with good academic standing.
- Enrolled in an Experiential Internship course (INT501 or INT599).
- Secure a job offer related to the student's field of study.
- Submit the employment letter to dso@ciam.edu. No extra form is required.
- Obtain CPT authorization from CIAM BEFORE beginning employment; authorization cannot be back-dated.
- Renew your CPT every semester
- There are 3 semesters in a year for Day 1 CPT Programs at CIAM: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
- In each semester, international students must register for at least 2 courses (6 credits; including one online course and one hybrid course)
- Onsite frequency: 2 weekends/semester
Due to program requirements, students in the MSITM and PMBA programs can apply for CPT authorization starting from their first semester and engage in either full-time or part-time work. The MSCS, MSCC, and MSDSAI programs allow students who have already obtained a Master's degree in the US to apply for CPT authorization from their first semester for either full-time or part-time work.
Students in these five programs can continuously apply for CPT during their studies without interruption. To utilize CPT, students need to enroll in the BA500 Graduate Management Externship Course (0 credits) every semester. CPT authorization needs to be renewed annually.
Day 1 CPT Class Requirement
Campbellsville University's graduate program is divided into three semesters in a year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each semester is further divided into two terms. Students in the Day-1 CPT program register for 6 credits each semester, which includes one 3-credit hybrid course and one 3-credit online course.
The hybrid course lasts for 16 weeks (2 terms) and has an in-person session over one weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Students who fail to attend will lose their F1 student status.
Tuition & Scholarships
Tuition
The total cost of the entire MBA program is $26,652, or $13,000 per academic year. Tuition includes textbook fees and CPT fees. (The first two CPT credits are free of charge, and the remaining CPT credits are $500 per credit). The deadline for tuition payment is 5 working days before the start of term. Failure to pay tuition on time will incur a late fee of $50.
Graduate credit hours are billed at $667/credit hour
- Total Semester Estimate: $4,442
- Total Annual Estimate: $13,000 (3 semesters)
- Total Program Estimate: $26,652 (6 semesters)
Other Fees
- Application Fee (Non-Refundable) - $75 (We will waive it if you apply through us)
- STRF Fee (Non-Refundable) - $60
- Estimated Total Textbook Cost - No Additional Cost
- Estimated Parking Fee - No Additional Cost
- INT/CPT Registration Fee - $50 for each term
- Total Estimated Program Associated Fees - $235
Scholarships
- CIAM offers scholarships for international students with the amount of $500 - $3,000. Please contact our experts to learn more.
Academic Calendar
Terms | Application Deadline | Semester Start Date | CPT Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
Spring1 | 11/27/2024 | 1/11/2025 | 1/11/2025 |
Spring2 | 1/31/2025 | 3/1/2025 | 3/1/2025 |
Summer1 | 4/4/2025 | 5/3/2025 | 5/3/2025 |
Suymmer2 | 5/16/2025 | 6/14/2025 | 6/14/2025 |
Fall1 | 8/1/2025 | 8/30/20025 | 8/30/20025 |
Fall2 | 9/19/2025 | 10/11/2025 | 10/11/2025 |
Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.
If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are the official recruitment partner of the California Institute of Management; we can help you accelerate your application.
Hybrid Professional MBA Programs at CIAM
The California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM) offers innovative Hybrid Professional Programs, including MBA, MBA in Business Analytics and MBA in Project Management, which allow international students to gain valuable work experience from the start of their studies. The Hybrid Professional MBA programs equip future leaders with the skills and values needed to tackle complex challenges and build a just society. With CIAM's values-based material and hands-on learning, students receive the support and resources they need to succeed in their careers from day one.
It is a 36-unit program, providing a comprehensive education in responsible business management, teaching students to analyze social problems, create sustainable solutions, and master essential management practices. The curriculum covers strategic planning, leadership, and business planning, including finance and marketing, all aimed at bettering society.
Core Courses
- IACC501: Accounting For Decision Making
- BUS501: Quantitative Analysis For Decision Making
- DRU502: Innovation And Entrepreneurship Based On Drucker’s Principles
- DRU503: Managing One's Self And One's Career Based On Drucker’s Principles
- DRU505: Ethical Leadership
- FIN501: Corporate Finance
- GB501: Global Business Concepts
- IS501: Management Of Information Systems
- MGT501: Management And Organizational Behavior
- MGT511: Strategic Management
- MKT501: Marketing Management
- OPS501: Operations Management
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 14% job growth for Management Analysts by 2026, surpassing the average rate across all fields. An MBA in Business Analytics equips you with expertise in big data management and analysis, ensuring you stay competitive and successful in a rapidly evolving market.
Core Courses
- IACC501: Accounting For Decision Making
- BUS501: Quantitative Analysis For Decision-Making
- DRU505: Ethical Leadership
- FIN501: Corporate Finance
- IS501: Management Of Information Systems
- MGT501: Management And Organizational Behavior
- MGT511: Strategic Management
- MKT501: Marketing Management
- OPS501: Operations Management
Business Analytics Courses
- BA501: Database For Business Analytics
- BA502: Applied Probability And Statistics In Data Analytics
- BA503: Advanced Analytics For Business
Core Courses
- IACC501: Accounting For Decision Making
- BUS501: Quantitative Analysis For Decision-Making
- DRU505: Ethical Leadership
- FIN501: Corporate Finance
- IS501: Management Of Information Systems
- MGT501: Management And Organizational Behavior
- MGT511: Strategic Management
- MKT501: Marketing Management
- OPS501: Operations Management
Project Management Courses
- PM501: Project Management Fundamentals
- PM502: Project Management In Practice
- PM503: Organizational Project Management
Course Review System: Commitments & Professors
If you are still feeling confused about which programs you should go and what the course loadings are like, dive into our latest Course Review system, where students recount their class experiences at CIAM's Hybrid Professional Programs! This free resource empowers you to enroll in classes, select a concentration, or pick a professor with confidence.
CIAM Hybrid Professional Programs Course Review System
Application to CIAM
Before Enrollment
- Applicants are recommended to have a minimum of one year of work experience
- Bachelor's degree and diploma required
- Official transcripts
- Submit the online application form
- Application fee of $75 (contact us to waive )
- Resume
- Passport
- Certificate of deposit (minimum of $30,618 or equivalent in other currency, can be issued by a relative, friend or employer. Note: paystub is not a substitute for a certificate of deposit)
- Interviews (if the school requests)
- Language Requirements
- Minimum TOEFL score of 79 (waived for degrees completed in the United States and other English-speaking countries) with a minimum score of 23 on the reading section, 23 on the writing section, and 23 on the listening section.
- Minimum IELTS score of 6.5
- Minimum PTE score of 58
- Minimum TEP score of 3.8
Having trouble with the application? Contact us.
After Enrollment - CPT Application
After receiving the acceptance letter, confirm with your advisor the SEVIS transfer time and fill out the SEVIS transfer form to transfer SEVIS from your original school to CIAM.
Students can submit their CPT application at any time after receiving their admission. Application materials include:
- Submit the application form for the INT 500 course
- Submit an Employment Letter
- CPT applications must be submitted at least one week in advance.
- The employment letter must contain Company letterhead, employer name, and address; Job title and job description; Employment starts and end dates; Full-time or part-time; and, the number of hours worked per week; Supervisor's name, position, and contact information.
FAQ - Hybrid Professional Master's Program at CIAM
CIAM is located on the east side of downtown LA, in a safe and comfortable community. It takes only 30 minutes from LAX to CIAM by driving.
MBA, MBA in Project Management and MBA in Business Analytics
2 times per semester.
Contact day1cpt.org to check your eligibility and learn more.
Yes, you can apply for the CPT after you receive an offer.
Yes, the internship can be an unpaid position.
No, you are not able to do it at CIAM.
🚨Disclaimer: The term "Day 1 CPT Universities" commonly refers to universities that allow students to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the start of their first semester. However, getting CPT approval on the first day of the program is not automatic or guaranteed and depends on submitting a complete application on time. In most cases, CPT approval takes 5 to 15 business days after the university receives the required documents.
Waive Application Fee for Hybrid Professional Programs
✓ One-on-One Free Consultation
✓ Personalized Hybrid Professional Programs List
✓ Application Fee Waiver & Application Assistant
✓ Scholarship Opportunities
✓ Connecting to the Admission Officer to Get Pre-Approval
✓ Premium Process - Get an Offer and I-20 within 3 days [added-value service]
*Our consultants are committed to providing a seamless experience. Once you initiate a case with us, you will be assigned a specific consultant who will thoroughly understand your case, ensuring that there's no need for you to repeat information each time you call. We will not change your consultant unless you request it.
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