USC
University of Southern California
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Master's Degree Programs

Dual Degree Programs

Students may complete dual degrees in conjunction with the Marshall M.B.A. or MBA.PM programs.

Admission criteria for applicants to dual degree programs co-sponsored by the Marshall School of Business are the same as Master of Business Administration admission criteria.

Students interested in dual degree programs should apply to the specific M.B.A. program suited to the individual’s needs.

Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./M.B.A.)

The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the USC Law School offers a program leading to the degrees of Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration.

Application
Applicants to this program must apply to both schools individually and take both the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Applicants should apply either simultaneously to both programs or during the first year in the USC Gould School of Law. Certification for eligibility for the dual degree program must be provided by the Law School prior to admission to the dual degree program by the Marshall School of Business.

Program Requirements
The total number of units required for the M.B.A. portion of the program is 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

To earn the J.D., all students (including dual degree students) must complete 35 numerically graded law units at USC after the first year. The associate dean may make exceptions to this rule for students enrolled in Law School Honors Programs.

First Year: Required Law School courses (33 units).

Second Year: Required M.B.A. core courses.

Third and Fourth Years: 43 units of law courses and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.

The J.D. and M.B.A. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in East Asian Area Studies (M.B.A./M.A.)

The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the East Asian Studies Center (USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences) offers a joint M.B.A./M.A. degree that combines graduate business education with training in the cultures and societies of East Asia. Students may complete the degree on a full- or part-time basis.

Application
Students must apply to both the Marshall School of Business and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. GRE scores are not required for admission to the dual degree program. GMAT scores are required.

Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the program are required to complete a minimum of 72 units. All students must complete 48 units in the Marshall School of Business. In East Asian Area Studies (EASC), students have the option of taking five courses and writing a thesis (for a total of 24 units) or taking six courses and passing a comprehensive examination (for a total of 24 units).

Required courses that must be taken in the Marshall School of Business include: all M.B.A. core program and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

See East Asian Area Studies in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences for East Asian Area Studies course requirements and the foreign language requirement.

The M.B.A. and M.A. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Planning (M.B.A./M.Pl.)

The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development offers a program leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Planning.

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Planning dual degree program enables students to understand the conduct and requirements of business, accounting, corporate and strategic planning, real estate marketing and finance. Students also gain expertise in public policy, city planning and the interpretation of government regulations. Exposure to both fields becomes an educational as well as professional asset for careers in either public service or private enterprise.

Application
Applicants to this program should apply to both schools simultaneously.

Program Requirements
A total of 84 units is required for the dual degree: 48 units of work in the Marshall School of Business and 36 units from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development. Students can complete the program on either a full- or part-time basis. The program normally requires five semesters of full-time study in residence.

Required courses that must be taken in the Marshall School of Business include: all courses required in an M.B.A. core program and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

See the School of Policy, Planning, and Development for policy, planning, and development course requirements.

The M.B.A. and M.Pl. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Real Estate Development (M.B.A./M.R.E.D.)

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Real Estate Development dual degree program enables students to expand their skills in planning, land development, marketing, decision sciences, accounting, management, finance and economics. A more sophisticated real estate market makes this diversity of training essential for many students pursuing careers in real estate finance and development.

Completion of the M.R.E.D. portion of the program requires that students have use of an approved laptop computer and demonstrate calculator and spreadsheet skills; a calculator and/or spreadsheet class is offered online.

Application
Students must apply to both the Marshall School of Business and the School of Policy, Planning, and Development. Please consult the Admission section of each school for specific requirements.

Program Requirements
This program normally requires two years (including summer) of full-time study in residence to complete.

A total of 82 units is required. Required courses include:

  • all courses required in an M.B.A. core program;
  • FBE 565 Economics of Urban Land Use: Feasibility Studies;
  • FBE 588 Advanced Real Estate Law;
  • additional graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48; and
  • policy, planning, and development courses (34 units).

Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

Comprehensive Examination: Students are required to complete a comprehensive examination administered by faculty members from both the Marshall School of Business and the School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

See School of Policy, Planning, and Development for policy, planning, and development course requirements.

The M.B.A. and the M.R.E.D. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Gerontology (M.B.A./M.S.)

The M.B.A./M.S. dual degree combines knowledge of the older population with the skills of business management. The program prepares graduates for a number of roles in both public and private sector organizations including the marketing of products or services to seniors, human resource development with older workers and retirement benefits.

Application
Applicants to the M.B.A./M.S. in Gerontology should apply to both schools simultaneously.

Gerontology Requirements
The Master of Science in Gerontology requires 30 units of course and field work which cover the core content of the M.S. program.

Required CoursesUnits
GERO 510Physiology of Development and Aging4
GERO 520Life Span Developmental Psychology4
GERO 530Life Span Developmental Sociology4
GERO 540Social Policy and Aging4
GERO 555Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach4
GERO 591zField Practicum4
Gerontology electives6
30

Program Adaptation
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology will waive 12 units of related courses and 6 units of electives, plus GERO 593 Research Methods (4 units), which are required in the regular M.S. program.

Business Administration Requirements
The Master of Business Administration component requires 48 units of credit. Required courses include:
  • all courses required in an M.B.A. core program;
  • MOR 548 Competitive Advantage Through People;
  • one of the following marketing electives:
    MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research,
    MKT 525 Consumer Behavior,
    MKT 560 Marketing Strategy and Policy
    MKT 569 Contemporary Marketing Problems;
  • additional graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.

Dual degree candidates may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business for the 48 units.

The M.B.A. and M.S. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering (M.B.A./M.S.)

The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers a program leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Application
Applicants to the M.B.A./M.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering program should apply to both schools simultaneously.

Program Requirements
This alternative requires 66 units for graduates of industrial and systems engineering undergraduate curricula and leads to both a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Master of Business Administration.

The total number of units required for the M.B.A. portion of the program is 48.

Required business courses include:

  • all courses in an M.B.A. core program -- although GSBA 524 Data and Decision Models or GSBA 506ab Applied Managerial Statistics and GSBA 534 Operations Management or GSBA 504 Operations Management may be substituted by electives in the Marshall School of Business on the basis of completion of ISE 220, ISE 225; CSCI 455x with grades of B or better;
  • and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.

Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

See Industrial and Systems Engineering for industrial and systems engineering course requirements.

The M.B.A. and the M.S. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Dental Surgery (M.B.A./D.D.S.)

In response to changes in dental care delivery systems and to the increasing complexity of dental care financing, the USC School of Dentistry offers an innovative program for individuals desiring knowledge in both dental science and business administration.

Application
Applicants to this program should apply during the first year of dental school. Only students who have successfully completed one year in the School of Dentistry will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business.

Program Requirements
The program involves completion of the first year in the School of Dentistry, the second in the Marshall School of Business, and then completion of the balance of the slightly modified dentistry and business programs. The program may be completed in five calendar years.

First Year: Required dentistry courses.

Second Year: Required M.B.A. core courses.

Third to Fifth Year: Completion of the remainder of required dentistry courses and graduate elective courses sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units. The dentistry requirement of four units of selective courses will be met by Marshall School courses.

The M.B.A. and D.D.S. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Education (M.B.A./Ed.D.)

The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the Rossier School of Education offers a program leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Education.

The program emphasizes educational leadership and management competencies across the wide variety of education-related organizations in the public, non-profit and for-profit sectors and is designed to prepare students to assume executive leadership positions in these organizations, including schools, universities, educating businesses, regional, state and federal education agencies, education research institutions and private foundations with education missions. M.B.A./Ed.D. graduates will be prepared to improve the scope and quality of educational services to target populations through the application of management skills to the field of education and of education principles to business enterprises.

Application
Applicants to this program must apply to both schools individually and submit scores for both the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the GRE.

Program Requirements
The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students should be able to complete the program in approximately four years.

The M.B.A. portion of the degree requires that the student complete an M.B.A. core program (either the Marshall M.B.A. or the M.B.A.PM) and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to 48. Dual degree program students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

See the Rossier School of Education section for Ed.D. degree requirements.

The M.B.A. and Ed.D. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements for both degrees.

Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Medicine (M.B.A./M.D.)

In response to the ongoing reorganization of health care delivery systems and the growing awareness of the impact of business decisions on health care, the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the Marshall School of Business jointly offer an innovative program for individuals seeking knowledge in both medicine and business administration. The program is designed to prepare its graduates to assume leadership in the design and management of health care systems.

Completion of the M.B.A./M.D. program spans five-and-one-half years. Interested students apply during their second year of medical school and begin core M.B.A. courses following successful completion of the first two years of medical school. The last two-and-one-half years are devoted to the clinical clerkships of the Keck School of Medicine and nine units of elective courses in the Marshall School.

Application
M.B.A./M.D. students should apply during their second year of medical school in the Keck School of Medicine. All requirements for admission to the Marshall M.B.A. program (application, GPA, GMAT score, etc.) must be fulfilled by the medical student for admission to the Marshall School. Only students who have successfully completed two years in the Keck School of Medicine will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business.

Program Requirements
At the conclusion of the program, students will have completed 48 units in the Marshall School of Business, including the M.B.A. core, and four years of courses in the Keck School of Medicine.

First and Second Years: Required medicine courses.

Third Year: Required M.B.A. core courses.

Remaining Two-and-One-Half Years: School of Medicine core, selective and elective clerkships, and graduate business elective courses sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

The M.D. and the M.B.A. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Doctor of Pharmacy (M.B.A./Pharm.D.)

Responding to the growing demand on pharmacists to be knowledgeable in both science and business administration, the USC School of Pharmacy and the Marshall School of Business offer the M.B.A./Pharm.D. dual degree program.

The program involves completion of the first year in the School of Pharmacy, the second in the Marshall School of Business and completion of the balance of the dual degree program over the final three years.

Admission Requirements
Applicants to this program should apply during the first year of pharmacy studies. Only students who have successfully completed one year in the School of Pharmacy will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business.

Program Requirements
A total of 48 units of business course work is required. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

First Year: Required Pharmacy School courses.

Second Year: Required M.B.A. core courses.

Third to Fifth Years: 108 units of Pharmacy courses and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.

The M.B.A./Pharm.D. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the School of Pharmacy and the Marshall School of Business requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Social Work (M.B.A./M.S.W.)

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Social Work dual degree develops knowledge and skills in working with individuals, families and groups, as well as organizational dynamics, marketing, decision sciences, accounting and human relations. Students interested in working in the management of human services and not-for-profit organizations will develop knowledge of human resources, philanthropic and corporate social responsibility, organizational development and information management.

Application
Prospective students must apply to both the Marshall School of Business and the School of Social Work.

Program Requirements
The M.B.A./M.S.W. requires completion of a total of 96 units (48 in the Marshall School of Business and 48 in the School of Social Work) and is typically completed in a three-year period, including summer.

Students in this dual degree program must select the World of Work concentration in the second year of their social work program and enroll in three required World of Work concentration courses (9 units), and 686ab Field Practicum (8 units). Course requirements in the Marshall School of Business include all courses required for an M.B.A. core program and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units. See the School of Social Work for M.S.W. course requirements.

The M.B.A. and the M.S.W. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.

Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service (M.B.A./M.A.)

In cooperation with Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion, the Marshall School of Business offers the dual degree program Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service. This degree prepares students to apply business and management concepts to the non-profit sector.

Application
Applicants to the M.B.A./Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service program should apply to the Marshall School of Business and to the Irwin Daniels School of Jewish Communal Service at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion concurrently.

Degree Requirements
For the Marshall School portion of the dual degree: all courses required in an M.B.A. core program and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

Students must also complete 47 units in the Hebrew Union College portion of the dual degree.

Sample student program

Summer I, Fall, Spring: Hebrew Union College; required courses

Summer II: Hebrew Union College; required and elective courses

Fall, Spring: Marshall School; required courses

Fall: Marshall School; graduate business electives

Note: Summer II Hebrew Union College courses could be taken in the summer between Marshall School required courses and electives.

The M.B.A. and the M.A. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon complete of their respective degree requirements.