Master of Business Administration
The School of Business Administration has been a leader in offering relevant, personalized management education for more than 30 years. At USD, there are several graduate business programs to choose from, the largest being the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program. USD’s business programs are professionally accredited by AACSB International – The Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
The M.B.A. program at USD develops socially responsible leaders and provides them with the analytical tools to make thoughtful business decisions. The M.B.A. curriculum includes core management courses and electives, socially responsible leadership development and practical enrichment programming. Emphasis is placed on established best practices of business, as well as applied research and hands-on experiences aimed at expanding the knowledge base and career options of the program’s graduates.
Faculty employ a mixture of lecture-discussion, case studies, cutting-edge technology, practical field projects, and business simulations in the classroom and course assignments. The small classes and personalized attention foster a supportive environment that stresses strategic thinking and collaborative teamwork. The end result is a rigorous academic experience in which graduates emerge with a mastery of analytical techniques and an understanding of how to apply business theory to solve real-world problems for their companies and society.
The M.B.A. program offers a full-time, cohort-based program starting in the fall of each year. In addition, there is the Evening M.B.A. program where students can pace their schedule to adjust to their busy lifestyle. The program starts in both the fall and spring semesters. Attending on a part-time basis in this program allows for completion in approximately 2 1⁄2 years. Courses in both programs are offered year-round and include varied elective offerings, internships, speakers’ series, socially responsible leadership development programs and study abroad programs creating a variety of innovative learning opportunities.
With the approval of the director and subject to the program requirements of specific areas of emphasis, students may take as electives a maximum of 6 units of coursework from the USD School of Law or other USD graduate programs.
Requirements for the M.B.A. Degree
Prerequisites are indicated in parentheses.
I. Socially Responsible Leadership Development (9 units)
GSBA 500 – Working in Teams – 1 unit (must be taken first semester)
GSBA 501 – Ethical Leadership in Organizations – 2 units (must be taken first semester)
GSBA 507 – Peace Through Commerce – 2 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 508 – Legal and Social Environment of Business – 2 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 513 – Corporate Governance and Values – 2 units (505)
II. Management Core (21 units)
GSBA 502 – Statistics for Managers – 2 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 503 – Fundamentals of Business Economics – 2 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 504 – Marketing for Managers – 3 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 505 – Financial Management and Analysis – 3 units (502, 510)
GSBA 506 – Operations and the Global Supply Chain –3 units (502)
GSBA 509 – Managerial Economics and Decision Making – 3 units (502, 503, 510)
GSBA 510 – Financial Accounting and Statement Analysis – 3 units (501 or concurrent)
GSBA 511 – Managerial Accounting – 2 units (510)
III. Integration and Application of Business Techniques (5 or 8 units)
GSBA 512 – Negotiations – 2 units (501 or concurrent)
Take one of the following:
GSBA 590 – Strategic Management – 3 units (taken in last semester)
GSBA 591 – International Strategic Management – 3 units (taken in last semester)
GSBA 592 – Strategy Simulation 3 units (with approval of instructor)
And take one of the following (this requirement is only for the full-time cohort M.B.A. Program):
GSBA 595 – Business Consulting Project – 3 units (taken in last semester)
GSBA 593 – International Practicum – 3 units (minimum of four of the following courses 503, 504, 510, 511 or 505, 506, 507, 509, 516 along with consent of adviser)
IV. Program Electives (12 or 15 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. Community Service Requirement
Two business related community service activities
Total Units for the M.B.A.: 50
Areas of Elective Emphasis
Students in the 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 500, 501, 512, 595 and 590):
GSBA 530 – Human Resources Management – 3 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 532 – International Comparative Management – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 533 – Organization Change and Design – 2 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 8 or more additional units in marketing:
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 553 – Seminar in Global Marketing – 2 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 8 or more additional units in finance:
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 523 – International Financial Management – 3 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)
International Business Emphasis
The International Business emphasis offers the M.B.A. student the opportunity to gain international expertise by selecting electives that emphasize international topics. The need for managers with a global perspective continues to grow as international trade and overseas markets become increasingly important.
The International Business emphasis requires 6 or more additional units in international business:
GSBA 523 – International Financial Management – 3 units (505)
GSBA 532 – International Comparative Management – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 533 – Organization Change and Design – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 553 – Seminar in Global Marketing – 2 units (504 or 516)
GSBA 581 – International Trade and Commerce – 2 units (503)
GSBA 582 – International Business Negotiations – 2 units (512)
GSBA 585 – Business Environment of Asia and the Pacific Rim – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 586 – Europe in the Global Economy – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 587 – Latin American Business Environment – 2 units (501 or 515)
GSBA 597 – International Studies
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 competency 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: supply management, logistics and operations. 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 (select two from the three below):
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)
