Univ of Southern California
University of Southern California
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USC Marshall School of Business

Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals

The Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals is designed to provide managers and business owners for whom an M.B.A. is not a viable option with a basic graduate-level introduction to successful business policies and practices.

Admission

All certificate students must meet the same admission requirements as degree seeking students.

In addition to the general admission require-ments, applicants should have earned an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4 or a GPA in graduate course work of at least 3.2.

GRE scores may be submitted in lieu of GMAT scores. A completed graduate degree may be accepted in lieu of test scores at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Prospective students may apply to begin the program in the fall, spring or summer term. Applications are submitted online through the USC Marshall School of Business admissions Website at www.marshall.usc.edu/admissions/applyonline. A complete application includes the online application form, responses to essay questions, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended whether a degree was completed or not. Current USC students and alumni need to submit transcripts from only institutions attended since the applicant last applied to USC. The application fee is not required of current USC students and USC alumni.

For more information, contact the USC Marshall School of Business at (213) 740-0671 or bus.fundamentals@marshall.usc.edu.

Program Requirements

The program requires successful completion of the following 19-unit program with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all course work applied to the certificate and an overall graduate GPA at USC of at least 3.0.

REQUIRED16 Units
ACCT 509Concepts of Financial and Management Accounting4
GSBA 520Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals3
GSBA 523*Communication for Management3
GSBA 528Marketing Management, or one 3-unit MKT course from a list of electives published on the program Website and available from the program advisor3
GSBA 543Managerial Perspectives, or one 3-unit MOR course from a list of electives published on the program Website and available from the program advisor3

ELECTIVE3 Units
Select one additional course from those identified above or from a list of elective options published on the program Website and available from the program advisor. The elective selected may not duplicate prior graduate course work and must be approved by the program director. Enrollment in some courses may require additional preparatory course work to satisfy prerequisites, subject to approval of the instructor.

* Students in the Master of Communication Management, Master of Arts in Global Communication and Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations programs may substitute BAEP 551 Introduction to New Ventures (3).

For current USC graduate students, courses credited to the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Professionals may be completed in conjunction with course work required for a program in which the student is already enrolled. Applicability of these courses to the student’s primary degree program is determined by the student’s home department.

For USC alumni, courses completed in conjunction with an individual’s prior degree may not be credited toward the certificate. Appropriate substitutions for required courses will be determined and documented by the program director.

Successful completion of the program is acknowledged by a certificate awarded by the university.