Master's Degree Programs
M.B.A. Program for Professionals and Managers
The M.B.A. Program for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM) is a part-time, comprehensive M.B.A. program that allows fully employed individuals to pursue their M.B.A. degree. The program offers flexibility and a rich array of elective courses. Students in the MBA.PM program complete the degree in 33 months attending classes in fall and spring semesters and summer sessions.
The MBA.PM offers the following advantages:
- the scheduling design allows students to complete the degree in a timely way, while continuing to work full time;
- program flexibility allows students to tailor their selection of elective courses to their individual interests;
- PM.Globe, a course which includes an international trip, gives all MBA.PM students first-hand exposure to international markets;
- a cohesive group of student colleagues proceeds through the core together, providing opportunities for building relationships with other talented and ambitious individuals;
- special academic and social activities enhance the richness of the M.B.A. experience; and
- interaction between faculty and students enhances the overall learning experience.
The first year of the MBA.PM program is also offered at the Orange County Center in Irvine. All students take their elective courses at the University Park campus in Los Angeles.
Students attend core classes two nights per week for 12 months. Students must complete the core courses in the prescribed sequence and within the prescribed time frame. Elective courses are offered on a semester basis during the remaining portion of the program, including summer session.
During the elective portion of the program, M.B.A. students are encouraged to pursue a concentration in an area of special interest. Concentrations are selected combinations of courses designed to prepare students for particular kinds of careers. Concentrations have been developed by faculty in consultation with business professionals who recruit M.B.A. students. As such, their designs are market-driven and directly linked to career opportunities. For more information, refer to the school's Web site, www.marshall.usc.edu/ekg. Some students decide to gain additional breadth in general management or to design an individualized program of study, sometimes taking courses in other areas of the university. Up to 9 units of graduate-level electives may be taken at USC outside the Marshall School of Business for elective credit provided the student shows sufficient reason why a course is relevant to the selected Marshall School of Business program. Permission to take courses outside the Marshall School must be requested via petition to the MBA.PM Program Office in Popovich Hall 106.
Application
Applicants should have significant full-time work experience. Letters of recommendation submitted with the application should relate to the student's work performance (resume).
The program enrolls students one time per year in the fall through a rolling admissions process. For more information, contact the Marshall M.B.A. Admission Office in Popovich Hall (JKP), room 308; (213) 740-6166; Fax (213) 749-8520; www.marshall.usc.edu.
Sample Program
A total of 63 units is required for the program. The following outlines the typical MBA.PM student's schedule:
First Year -- First Semester "Core" Required Courses
| Fall term | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 510 | Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting | 3 |
| GSBA 511 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| GSBA 542 | Communication for Management | 1.5 |
| | 7.5 |
| Winter term | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 506a | Applied Managerial Statistics | 1.5 |
| GSBA 519a | Strategic Formulation for Competitive Advantage | 1.5 |
| GSBA 522a | Managerial Perspectives | 1.5 |
| | 4.5 |
First Year -- Second Semester "Core" Required Courses
| Winter Term | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 506b | Applied Managerial Statistics | 1.5 |
| GSBA 522b | Managerial Perspectives | 1.5 |
| GSBA 581 | Information Management | 1.5 |
| | 4.5 |
| Spring term | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 528 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| GSBA 544 | The Firm in the National Economy | 1.5 |
| GSBA 548 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| | 7.5 |
First Year -- Summer Session "Core" Required Courses
| Summer Session | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 518 | Accounting Control Systems | 3 |
| GSBA 519b | Strategic Formulation for Competitive Advantage | 1.5 |
| GSBA 534 | Operations Management | 3 |
| | 7.5 |
Second Year
| Fall Semester | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 586 | Current Trends in Business | 1.5 |
| Graduate business electives (2) | 6 |
| | 7.5 |
| Spring Semester | Units |
|---|
| GSBA 582 | Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim | 3 |
| Graduate business elective | 3 |
| | 6 |
| Summer Session | Units |
|---|
| Graduate business electives (2) | 6 |
Third Year
| Fall Semester | Units |
|---|
| Graduate business electives (2) | 6 |
| Spring Semester | Units |
|---|
| Graduate business electives (2) | 6 |
Total units required for degree: 63 |
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