International Master of Business Administration
USD’s School of Business Administration was one of the first business schools in the country to establish a master’s level degree program to focus on international business. Our faculty, who have a wide variety of teaching, research and work experience in many different countries, strongly support the international emphasis. In our International M.B.A. degree program, global issues are woven throughout the curriculum and are examined in every course. Our small classes, student and faculty interaction, as well as team learning, all form integral and unique parts of our international business learning experience.
The International M.B.A. is a full-time program that can be completed in 12 or 16 months. The structure of the program is flexible: students can participate in a semester exchange program, complete an internship with an international company in the United States or abroad, or participate in an intensive language program. In this program, even the traditional business foundation courses – such as marketing, management, finance and accounting – have an international focus.
In addition to the program’s many international study opportunities, the degree requires students to participate in an international consulting practicum. Each student works with a team of other students to perform a consulting project for an international company. The international educational experience at USD is enriched by not only our international student body, but also by the opportunities provided by the John Ahlers Center for International Business. The Ahlers Center sponsors study abroad opportunities of varying lengths in countries on four continents. In addition, the center hosts visiting international distinguished faculty or international executives-in-residence and sponsors a variety of events and speakers on global issues.
The International M.B.A. program develops managers with a global orientation and the professional skills they need to succeed in the international marketplace. This program is designed for students interested in leadership roles in international organizations based in any country in the world. In addition to a strong grounding in international business, the International M.B.A. degree provides students with interdisciplinary training in international law, as well as exposure to political, cultural and ethical perspectives on business.
The program begins two weeks prior to the regular semester calendar to allow for completion of the international core courses during the first semester.
Requirements for the International M.B.A. Degree
Prerequisites are indicated in parentheses.
I. International Management Core (16 units)
GSBA 503 – Fundamentals of Business Economics – 2 units (515 or concurrent)
GSBA 505 – Financial Management and Analysis – 3 units (502 or Statistics certification, 510)
GSBA 506 – Operations and the Global Supply Chain – 3 units (502 or Statistics certification)
GSBA 510 – Financial Accounting and Statement Analysis – 3 units (515 or concurrent)
GSBA 511 – Managerial Accounting – 2 units (510)
GSBA 516 – Marketing for International Managers – 3 units (515 or concurrent)
II. International Leadership Development (16 units)
GSBA 507 – Peace Through Commerce – 2 units (515 or concurrent)
GSBA 513 – Corporate Governance and Values – 2 units (505)
GSBA 514 – Working in Multicultural Teams – 1 unit (must be taken first semester)
GSBA 515 – Ethical Leadership in International Organizations – 2 units (must be taken first semester)
GSBA 517 – International Legal and Social Environment of Business – 2 units (515 or concurrent)
GSBA 523 – International Financial Management – 3 units (505)
GSBA 532 – International Comparative Management – 2 units (515 or concurrent)
GSBA 553 – Seminar in Global Marketing – 2 units (504 or 516)
III. International Practical Enrichment (6 units)
GSBA 591 – International Business Strategy – 3 units (final semester or term of program) OR
GSBA 592 – Strategy Simulations – 3 units (Permission of Instructor Required)
GSBA 593 – International Practicum – 3 units (minimum of four of the following courses 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 509, 510, 511, or 516 along with consent of adviser)
IV. Elective or Areas of Emphasis (12 units)
Courses at USD: There are a wide variety of elective courses. You may also select a concentration by focusing electives in particular areas of expertise. A maximum of 6 units may be chosen from the School of Law or other relevant USD graduate program. For courses outside the School of Business Administration, permission must also be obtained from the director of the graduate program. See the appropriate section of this bulletin or the School of Law Bulletin for information about course offerings outside the School of Business Administration. Prerequisites for all elective courses must be observed.
Courses abroad: Electives (as well as the International Courses) can be taken in the study abroad programs sponsored by the John Ahlers Center for International Business. These courses can also be taken at one of our partner universities for a semester study abroad experience.
Program electives may be used to fulfill emphasis requirements and may count towards more than one emphasis.
V. Additional Requirements:
• Statistics for Managers – certification (on-line course completed or GSBA 502)
• Second Language competency – Students are required to demonstrate “Mid-Intermediate” or higher on the ACTFL Scale oral competence in one language other than English.
• Community Service (two activities)
Total Units for the International M.B.A.: 50
Areas of Elective Emphasis
Students in the International M.B.A. program may focus their electives on one or more areas of emphasis by meeting the requirements indicated below.
Management Emphasis
The Management emphasis allows students to concentrate their electives in the management area to gain additional expertise in the field beyond the core business courses.
The Management emphasis requires 6 or more additional units in management (in addition to GSBA 514, 515, 532, 593 and 591):
GSBA 512 – Negotiations – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 530 – Human Resources Management – 3 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 533 – Organizational Change and Design – 3 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 534 – Values, Ethics and Corporate Culture – 3 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 535 – Interpersonal and Group Dynamics – 3 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 536 – Executive Career Development – 1 unit (501 or 515)
GSBA 537 – Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship – 3 units (511)
GSBA 539 – Power and Politics in Organizations – 3 units (501 or 515)
Marketing Emphasis
The Marketing emphasis allows students to concentrate their electives in the marketing area to gain additional expertise in the field beyond the core business courses in the area.
The Marketing emphasis requires 6 or more additional units in marketing (in addition to GSBA 516 and 553):
GSBA 550 – Marketing Research – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 551 – Seminar in Consumer Behavior – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 552 – Promotional Strategy – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 554 – Strategic Marketing – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 555 – Services Marketing – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 556 – New Product Development – 3 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 558 – High Technology Marketing – 3 units (504 or 516)
Finance Emphasis
The Finance emphasis allows students to concentrate their electives in the finance area to gain additional expertise in this field beyond the core business courses in the area.
The Finance emphasis requires 6 or more additional units in finance(in addition to GSBA 505 and 523):
GSBA 520 – Seminar in Financial Management – 3 units (505)
GSBA 521 – Seminar in Investments – 3 units (505)
GSBA 522 – Advanced Seminar in Finance and Investments – 2 units (505)
GSBA 524 – Financial Management for New Ventures – 3 units (505)
GSBA 525 – Commercial Real Estate Finance and Investment – 3 units (505)
GSBA 526 – Real Estate Markets, Financing, and Institutions – 3 units (505)
GSBA 528 – Business Cycles and Forecasting – 3 units (502 and 503)
Real Estate Emphasis
The Real Estate emphasis offers students the opportunity to focus their elective options on the fast-paced world of real estate. Combining academic rigor with the opportunities to meet some of the top real estate professionals in San Diego gives the real estate emphasis a unique perspective. The graduate real estate students are invited to all of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate industry events including three major conferences each year. Through the center’s classes, research and industry partnerships, it creates a culture of leadership and teamwork that extends far into the real estate community.
The Real Estate emphasis requires 6 or more units in real estate (select two from the three below):
GSBA 525 – Commercial Real Estate Finance and Investment – 3 units (505)
GSBA 526 – Real Estate Markets, Financing and Institutions – 3 units (505)
GSBA 527 – Real Estate Law, Ethics and Public Policy – 3 units (505)
Supply Chain Management Emphasis
Supply chain management is a core competence at world-class firms. The principal benefit of supply chain management is the generation of a sustainable competitive advantage. A firm’s supply chain extends from the end customer back through the firm’s distributors, the firm itself, its suppliers and their suppliers. Supply chain management focuses on the design, development, and management of relationships, both inside the firm and with the firm’s supply world. These relationships are essential to ensure a smooth flow of quality goods, services and technology which optimizes end customer satisfaction. The program integrates three key legs: procurement, logistics and information systems. Students also will be able to participate in the activities of the Supply Chain Management Institute.
The Supply Chain Management emphasis requires 6 or more units in supply chain management (select two from the three listed).
GSBA 560 – Supply Chain Systems (506)
GSBA 561 – Supply Management (506)
GSBA 562 – Strategic Cost Management (511 may be taken concurrently)
Venture Management Emphasis
The Venture Management emphasis is designed to prepare students for roles in management that require skills in managing organizations through periods of anticipated organizational turbulence. The reduction of attendant risk and the containment of resource costs are intended to be the outcome of this effort. Such periods may include significant start-up activities, periods of rapid growth or expansion, and major shifts in product mix or marketplace presence. This program emphasizes the key role that the manager plays in the successful development and execution of appropriate operational responses to opportunities.
The Venture Management emphasis is a three-course series. Students must observe all prerequisites. No emphasis courses may be waived.
Emphasis Courses (9 units)
GSBA 524 – Financial Management for New Ventures (505)
GSBA 537 – Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship (511)
GSBA 556 – New Product Development (504 or 516)
