School of Business Administration
Mission Statement
The School of Business Administration is committed to developing socially responsible leaders and improving global business practice through innovative, personalized education and applied research.
Graduate Programs in Business
The Master of Science in Accountancy (M.A.C.C.) is a flexible, multiple track 30-unit program designed to meet the needs of a broad range of professionals, including those who seek to meeting the 150-hour requirement to become a C.P.A.. Each course meets over a concentrated five-week term, which enables students to accelerate their course of study to fit their learning or professional needs.
The Master of Science in Taxation (M.Tax.) is a 30-unit program that is designed to provide skills needed by tax accountants. It is a specialized program that includes skills needed to begin a career as a tax accountant as well as skills needed to progress to mid- and upper- level tax positions.
The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) encompasses 50 units of academic study. The full-time M.B.A. is a cohort based program starting each fall and can be completed in 16 months. The evening M.B.A. program can be completed in 2 1⁄2 years, with students going part-time and taking evening courses. The program can be started in the spring and fall semester. A thesis is not required and there are no comprehensive examinations. No specific undergraduate course prerequisites or fields of concentration are required.
The International Master of Business Administration (I.M.B.A.) encompasses 50 units of academic study. The I.M.B.A. begins as a cohort based program and can be completed in 12 or 16 months. The program incorporates several opportunities for overseas study.
The Master of Science in Executive Leadership (M.S.E.L.) is designed for senior executives and those aspiring to positions of seniority within their organizations. Offered in partnership with the Ken Blanchard Companies, a globally-recognized provider of leadership development, this innovative program combines the best of contemporary leadership practices with interdisciplinary business skills and knowledge. The M.S.E.L. is comprised of 36 units of academic study delivered in an executive education format. The program is a cohort-based program where all students progress together through a series of 15 courses in slightly less than two years.
The Master of Science in Global Leadership (M.S.G.L.) program is designed for high-performing mid-level executives who have an established track record of success within their specific occupation. The M.S.G.L. is comprised of 31 units and is organized into class cohorts. Originally created to meet the needs of military officers with global responsibilities, this degree provides the academic foundation for both military and industrial leaders who seek to demonstrate effective leadership and management skills in the changing global arena.
The Master of Science in Real Estate (M.S.R.E.) degree offers an 11-month, 32-unit curriculum that develops the specialized skills needed by real estate professionals. Through an interactive approach, the program provides students with the leadership, communication and interpersonal skills necessary to compete for real estate careers at the middle-to upper-management levels or become real estate entrepreneurs.
The Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (M.S.-S.C.M.) is a Web-based program designed for high-performing managers and executives who have an established track record of success in one or more of the functions included in supply chain management. Participants gain advanced expertise needed to help their sponsoring firms progress to world-class supply chain management status, with significant improvement in their firms’ profitability. This 36-unit program is offered online in a lock-step, cohort-based format and requires 26 months for completion.
Centers and Institutes
John Ahlers Center for International Business
The John M. Ahlers Center for International Business was founded in 1994 with a generous endowment from the estate of John and Carolyn Ahlers to enhance international business education at the University of San Diego. Given a lifetime of international business and service, the Ahlers believed that globalization had increased the need for managers to be developed with special skills and knowledge to handle the challenges and opportunities of an international marketplace. The Ahlers Center provides a number of programs to strengthen and acquire this needed expertise among the faculty, students and the business community. These programs have resulted in faculty with international expertise who offer a variety of international courses and perspectives and students who are interested and experienced in international business. The programs have also created a strong network with international business leaders. These activities link faculty, students and international business leaders to share ideas and develop knowledge to operate more effectively in a global business environment.
One activity of the Ahlers Center is the sponsorship and coordination of study abroad programs during Intersession and Summer Sessions. These programs allow graduate business students the opportunity, over a relatively short time period, to have a study abroad business-oriented experience. In addition to study abroad opportunities, the Ahlers Center annually sponsors International Executives-in-Residence, bringing business leaders to campus and the classroom. The Ahlers Center also invites distinguished international business faculty for special guest lectures or to offer courses as visiting faculty at USD.
All of these activities, and others, have created a center of excellence in international business at the University of San Diego that permeates throughout the curriculum and into a variety of programs. For additional information about the Ahlers Center for International Business, visit the Web site at www.sandiego.edu/IntlBus.
Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate
The mission of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate is to deliver outstanding education, industry out-reach and research services to advance socially responsible leadership in real estate. Our goals are a commitment to excellence and a dedication to developing a world-class reputation for high-quality real estate education, student career placement in a wide range of real estate related careers; pertinent applied research; and annual professional conferences that meet the needs of the commercial and residential professionals.
The Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate consists of 12 faculty and staff and six affiliated faculty members. The Ernest W. Hahn Chair Policy Advisory Board Executive Committee, comprised of 30 senior business and real estate executives, provides overall policy guidance and financial support to the real estate program. The Commercial Real Estate Committee and the Residential Real Estate committee consist of another 30 members each, and the new Curriculum and Research Committee consists of five industry executives, totaling 95 industry leaders who serve as advisers to the program. These leaders offer their advice on curriculum development and conference topics, as well as job placement strategies, internships and employment opportunities.
The University of San Diego has become one of 16 universities in the United States to offer a Master of Science degree dedicated to real estate. This program is a multi-disciplinary approach to real estate. It offers graduate students the opportunity to explore the many facets of the profession through an interactive approach using industry-based projects. The one-year master’s degree is outstanding real estate education substantiated with individual student attention and career placement assistance.
Accountancy Institute
The Accountancy Institute was created to serve the educational professional needs of the San Diego accounting community. The institute offers a variety of personalized educational opportunities including the tax boot camp, a certificate in financial planning, and other continuing professional education programs.
These, as well as other networking and personal growth opportunities, are available to our current students, our alumni, and other San Diego professionals from the accounting community. The University of San Diego Accountancy Institute’s commitment to personalized leadership and ethics continues through our variety of professional opportunities offered by our faculty.
Supply Chain Management Institute
The Supply Chain Management Institute (SCMI) is committed to the development of leading edge strategies and techniques in integrated supply, operations, and logistics management. SCMI focuses its efforts on three areas: world-class education, collaborative relationships and applied research. The institute disseminates its insight and practices through annual forums. In striving to be the preferred source for individuals and companies seeking executive-level supply chain management education, SCMI administers a Web-based Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management and a Web-based Master of Science in Supply Chain management. The institute also supports the resident Master of Business Administration by providing an emphasis in Supply Chain Management.
SCMI provides students with opportunities to learn from leading practitioners in supply chain management. The institute also assists students and alumni with career placement through its annual job fair and year-round access to leading corporations with opportunities for both internships and long-term placement. The student division of the institute, the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA), also organizes tours to world-class facilities and opportunities for interacting with industry and professional organizations.
SCMI is dedicated to building wide practioner, academic, alumni and student networks into a vibrant community of leading-edge practice. For additional information, please visit the Web site at www.sandiego.edu/scmi.
General Requirements of the School of Business Administration
Students must complete all course requirements with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Use of the grades “A+” and “D” is not permitted in the graduate business programs. Also see page 47 for policies on academic probation and disqualification.
Transfer of Graduate Credit
Transfer of credit pertains to equivalent graduate courses completed at another accredited university or in another graduate program at USD, while the student is enrolled in a USD graduate business program. Petitions for transfer of credit must be approved prior to the course being taken. No more than 6 semester-units may be transferred into the M.B.A. or I.M.B.A. graduate programs. While USD is not Jesuit, it participates in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) agreement to accept qualified students who have been accepted as fully-matriculating from any other participating AJCU member institution.
Non-Degree Special Students
Any interested individual holding a bachelor’s degree from an approved and accredited institution may apply for special student status and may, with permission of the Office of Graduate Admissions and the department or school involved, take up to 6 units of coursework offered by the University of San Diego graduate programs. Exceptions to the 6-unit limit must have the recommendation of the program director and approval of the dean of the school in which the course is being offered. Some, but not all, departments will consider admission as a special student while the applicant is in the process of filing application documents. Admission and enrollment as a special student in no way obligates the department to admit an otherwise unqualified applicant. Special students may be prohibited from enrolling in specific courses.
Course Prerequisites
Students are responsible for meeting all course prerequisites prior to enrollment in each course.
Responsibility of Students
Students enrolled in this program are responsible for adhering to all regulations, schedules, and deadlines out-lined in this section, in the introductory sections of this Bulletin, and in any handbooks, contracts, or guideline sheets pertinent to this program. Students have the further responsibility of ensuring that all graduation requirements are met. Questions on these matters should be directed to the student’s adviser.
Waiver Administration and Conditions for Waiver
Core courses GSBA 502-506, 510-511 and 516 in the M.B.A. or I.M.B.A. program may be waived only by examination if the administrative director agrees that a sufficient knowledge base exists to warrant giving the examination. Waiver by examination may be attempted only once per course and does not reduce the total number of units. A nonrefundable fee of $100 is charged for each examination for waiver. Contact the graduate office at (619) 260-4840.
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