EyeMBA Program

The EyeMBA Program is a joint Ophthalmology Residency/MBA Program that combines Ophthalmology Resident Training with the MBA Degree.  Reasons for this initiative include recognition that future leaders of ophthalmology will need financial, management, and measurement skills that are at the core of the MBA degree curriculum.  These skills will be broadly applicable to leadership in academia, translational research, health system management, health care delivery and biomedical industry liason.  Students will complete the Ophthalmology residency program at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute and be enrolled in the UCLA Anderson School Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), which offers a more flexible schedule than the traditional MBA program, but results in fulfillment of all requirements for and awarding of an MBA degree.

Application and Interview Process

Applicants for the collaborative EyeMBA Program are accepted throught SF Match biennially on even numbered match years (ie January 2020 match).

Applicants who are selected to interview for the program must also complete the UCLA Anderson School of Management FEMBA Program application. At the time of Ophthalmology Residency Program interviews, these applicants will have a coordinated program of orientation to the Anderson School of Management and interviews with Anderson School representatives.

The Department of Ophthalmology and the Anderson School will coordinate the acceptance process and plan to accept one applicant for the EyeMBA Program each year. Acceptance by the Anderson School of Management is contingent upon the applicant meeting all admission requirements as delineated by the Anderson School of Management, including review of the applicant’s MCAT score in lieu of the GMAT.

Education and Training Schedule

In year 1 (following PGY1 internship) of the program, participants will enroll in classes at UCLA Anderson and complete the first half of the requirements for the MBA degree by the end of the Summer Term. 

In years 2, 3 and 4 of the Ophthalmology Residency/FEMBA Program, participants will be full-time ophthalmology residents and complete all components of the Ophthalmology Residency Program. During ophthalmology resident training in years 2, 3 and 4, participants will complete the remaining MBA requirements, including the Global Access Program (a program that may require limited domestic or international travel).

Financial Considerations

EyeMBA Program participants are eligible for and are expected to apply for student financial aid from the Anderson School. Participants are also expected to apply for financial aid from other sources identified by the Anderson School, the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology and other potential sources of support for postgraduate students. Overall, approximately 75% of Anderson School M.B.A. students have some financial assistance and about 50% have fellowships (www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees-mbadegree, accessed 7/26/2015)

The Department will provide a PGY2 salary during the first year of Anderson enrollment, and also work to enlist support for payment of the Anderson School tuition from donors, organizations and eye care industry to cover tuition and expenses that are not covered by grants or fellowships sourced via the Anderson School financial aid programs if necessary. 

EyeMBA Program Information:
Debbie Sato, Program Administrator
310-825-4617
[email protected]