Master of Business Administration
Full-Time Program
Approximately 260 students enroll in the full-time M.B.A. program each year. The first year establishes a common body of knowledge that prepares students to move into selected areas of concentration in year two. The goals of the program are to establish the following:
• a clearer understanding of personal capacity for leadership and the necessary developmental experiences for leadership growth;
• the capacity to select and apply multiple analytic frameworks in managerial decision making;
• knowledge of the key issues managers face in the functional areas of business;
• a stronger understanding of the interrelatedness of business management issues;
• strengthened communication skills for conveying ideas in humane and compelling terms;
• the ability to collaborate and lead within the context of a team;
• a deepened respect for human values;
• an understanding of changing global markets, an appreciation of differences in business practices across the world and of the special demands of intercultural management relationships; and
• the ability to use new and developing technologies in the resolution of business problems.
An Advanced Learning Environment
Course work in the M.B.A. program differs substantially from undergraduate education. Learning basic concepts individually becomes secondary to synthesizing concepts across courses. Classroom activity dominated by faculty-to-student lectures gives way to frequent case analysis and student-led discussion and management simulations. Work produced by project teams becomes a significant basis for many course grades.
The full-time program is rigorous, intellectually demanding, and time-consuming. Students typically spend 60-80 hours per week on course work and projects. Personal lives, as a result, are changed by graduate school as demands on time and intellectual capacity are pushed beyond previous limits.
Although students are not expected to bring a substantial amount of knowledge of business to the program, they need to have an excellent command of the English language and a working knowledge of calculus.
A Class Within a Class
Incoming students are assigned to one of four daytime core sections, each composed of about 65 students representing the diversity of the entire student body. The small section size allows active participation by all students. In addition, students get to know one another through group projects and study groups, developing a strong sense of camaraderie.
Each section takes on a distinctive personality, with its members defining customs and rules for class discussion. Ultimately, students find that the sections provide a context in which to learn a tremendous amount — not only from the faculty, but also from each other in formal and informal settings.
All full-time students share the same lunch hour, enabling people to attend executive seminars, participate in student government or simply meet with students in core sections outside their own.
An Emphasis on Leading
The full-time M.B.A. program begins with a three-day leadership retreat. The retreat empowers students to take responsibility for their learning climate at USC and starts the process of self-examination and reflection fundamental to beginning leadership growth. Faculty and second-year M.B.A. students participate in the program, developing relationships and team values that will undergird the academic program throughout year one. New students emerge with clearer expectations for the educational experience and a charted course for pursuing their own leadership growth.
A Focus on Teamwork
The relevance of team-building to the M.B.A. program is twofold. In study groups, project teams and competitive assignments, teamwork is crucial to success. A greater understanding of teams is bolstered through formal discussions and presentations throughout the year. The ability to work in and manage teams is becoming increasingly important in business practice as well. Taking those skills away from the program — developed and refined from the start — will be a key part of each student’s leadership growth.
In addition to formal team projects, a strong community of mutual support develops from the important role informal study groups play in the school’s academic culture. Study groups are composed of people with all kinds of backgrounds, so the dynamics of learning how to collectively accomplish a goal in a limited time are tremendously challenging and ultimately rewarding.
A Sequential Program of Study
Although there are many required courses during the first year of the full-time M.B.A. program, students are, in many ways, pursuing one nine-month course because the individual courses and materials covered are selectively integrated. As a result, not all courses begin at the start of the semester and conclude at semester’s end. Instead, a course — Corporate Finance, for example — begins several weeks into the first semester after basic concepts have been established in microeconomics and financial reporting and concludes in the middle of the second semester when its presence complements study in other functional areas, such as marketing and operations management. This staggered structure allows concepts to be introduced in a practical order and synthesizes the functional components into a coherent whole.
Business Environment and Mangement Practices in the Pacific Rim (PRIME Program)
The PRIME is an innovative attempt to provide students with international business experience. PRIME is a four-week program that melds two weeks of on-campus classroom study with nine days abroad and five days of wrapup back at USC. During those five days students prepare a 30-page paper and make a major presentation either on specific industry analyses or on consulting projects that they have undertaken. To date, students have studied in Shanghai, and Nanjing, China, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Jakarta, Indonesia and Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana, Mexico.
Electronic Commerce
The Electronic Commerce program explores business issues related to the economics, marketing, and management of business transactions involving products and services created and nurtured by information technology. Often these products are the digital reflection of traditional products, services, and/or information. Internet Service Providers which challenge industry incumbents in print media such as newspapers and magazines are examples of this confrontation. Equally important, the transformation from traditional products to electronic commerce often involves the intersection of heretofore disconnected industries (e.g., phone vs. cable vs. entertainment companies) and creates the opportunities for networks of businesses to coexist. The focus of the program is on the business implications of this fundamental transformation in how commerce is conducted. The specific information technology advances and associated software developments are discussed in the context of business issues.
An Enthusiastic and Dedicated Faculty Team
The more than 170 faculty members at the school include authorities recognized around the world for their contributions to advances in business theory and practice. They also are distinguished by their dedication to teaching and excellence.
Instructors for first-year required courses are selected on two grounds: teaching excellence and their ability to work together as a faculty team. The first-year teaching team develops and evaluates selected assignments jointly, linking concepts across courses, and shares time together in one classroom, examining complex business problems from multiple perspectives.
Adding Scope and Focus in the Second Year
The second year of the full-time M.B.A. program builds on the grounding in business fundamentals and functional areas gained during the first year and offers an opportunity to pursue particular interests in depth. The program’s flexibility in the second year allows students to tailor a program of study to their individual needs and long-term career objectives. Many students opt to focus on a particular area by fulfilling the requirements of a concentration. Among the concentrations offered by the Marshall School of Business are: business of entertainment, business entrepreneurship, controllership, corporate finance, corporate financial reporting, designing and reengineering management accounting and control systems, finance and marketing, financial analysis, information systems, investments, management and organization, marketing (managing clients), marketing (managing products), manufacturing operations management, service operations management, real estate, strategic human resource management, technology and innovation management and health care advisory services.
Others 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 nine units of graduate-level electives may be taken at USC outside the Marshall School of Business for elective credit providing the student shows sufficient reason why a course is relevant to the selected Marshall School of Business program. This request must be submitted in a petition to the Graduate Registration and Advisement Office, Bridge Hall 103.
Credits and Schedule for Full-Time M.B.A. Students
A total of 63 units is required. The typical full-time student’s schedule over the two years is as follows:
Term 1 Units GSBA 502 Communication for Management 1.5 GSBA 504a Operations Management 1.5 GSBA 509a Marketing Management 1.5 GSBA 510 Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting 3 GSBA 511 Managerial Economics 3 GSBA 521a Corporate Finance 1.5 GSBA 524 Applies Managerial Statistics 3 GSBA 532a Behavior and Organizations 1.5 ___ Total Units 16.5
Term 2 Units GSBA 504b Operations Management 1.5 GSBA 509b Marketing Management 1.5 GSBA 521b Corporate Finance 1.5 GSBA 530 Electronic Commerce 3 GSBA 532b Behavior and Organizations 1.5 GSBA 536 Management Accounting 1.5 GSBA 540 Contemporary Issues in Competitive Strategy 1.5 GSBA 544 The Firm in the National Economy GSBA 582 Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim 3 ____ Total Units 16.5
Term 3 Units Electives 15
Term 4 Units Electives 15 ____ Total units for degree 63 Note: USC reserves the right to change, add or delete its course offerings and programs without notice.
M.B.A. Program for Professionals and Managers
The M.B.A. program for professionals and managers (M.B.A.-P.M.) 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 the same rich array of elective courses as the full-time M.B.A. program. Students in the M.B.A.-P.M. program complete the degree in 33 months attending classes in fall, spring and summer semesters.
The M.B.A.-P.M. offers the following advantages: (1) the scheduling design allows students to complete the degree in a timely way, while continuing to work full-time; (2) program flexibility allows students to tailor their selection of elective courses to their individual interests; (3) a cohesive group of student colleagues proceeds through the core together, providing opportunities for building relationships with other talented and ambitious individuals; (4) special academic and social activities enhance the richness of the M.B.A. experience; and (5) interaction between faculty and students enhances the overall learning experience.
The M.B.A.-P.M. program is also offered at the Orange County Center, located at 2361 Campus Drive in Irvine. All students take their elective courses at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles.
The application deadline for spring 1999 is October 1, 1998, and the deadline for fall 1999 is June 1, 1999. For more information, contact the Marshall School of Business Admissions Office at (213) 740-7846.
Credits and Schedule for M.B.A. for Professionals and Managers Program
The M.B.A.-P.M. program consists of 63 units, including 36 units of core courses and 27 units of electives. Students attend core classes two nights per week for one calendar year. Students are expected to 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.
Program for M.B.A.-P.M. Students Entering in the Fall Semester
Fall Semester, Year 1 Units GSBA 506a** Applied Managerial Statistics 1.5 GSBA 510 Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting 3 GSBA 511 Managerial Economics 3 GSBA 519a Strategic Formulation for Comptetive Advantage 1.5 GSBA 522a* Managerial Perspecives 1.5 GSBA 542a Communication for Management 1.5 _____ 12
Spring Semester, Year 1 Units GSBA 506b** Applied Managerial Statistics 1.5 GSBA 522b* Managerial Perspectives 1.5 GSBA 528 Marketing Management 3 GSBA 544 The Firm in the National Economy 1.5 GSBA 548 Corporate Finance 3 _____ 12
Summer Session, Year 1 Units GSBA 518**** Accouniting Control Systems 3 GSBA 519b Strategic Formulation for Competitive Advantage 1.5 GSBA 534*** Operations Management 3
Fall Semester, Year 2 Units GSBA 542a Communication for Management 1.5 Electives(2) 6 ___ 7.5
Spring Semester, Year 2 Units GSBA 582 Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim 3 Elective 3
Summer Session, Year 2 Units Electives(2) 6
Fall Semester, Year 3 Units Electives(2) 6
Spring Semester, Year 3 Units Electives 6 ___ Total units for degree 63 *Students entering in spring will take GSBA 548 in lieu of GSBA 522ab; the content is identical.
**Students entering in spring will take GSBA 524 in lieu of GSBA 506ab; the content is identical.
***Students entering in spring will take GSBA 547ab in lieu of GSBA 534; the content is identical.
****Students entering in spring will take GSBA 517ab in lieu of GSBA 518; the content is identical.
Note: USC reserves the right to change, add or delete its course offerings and programs without notice.
Program for M.B.A.-P.M. Students Entering in Spring Semester
A total of 63 units are required. A typical program of study follows.
Spring Semester, Year 1 Units GSBA 510 Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting 3 GSBA 511 Managerial Economics 3 GSBA 519a Strategic Formulation for Comptetitive Advantage 1.5 GSBA 542a Communication for Management 1.5 ___ 9
Spring Semester, Year 1 Units GSBA 524** Applied Managerial Statistics 3 GSBA 543* Managerial Perspectives 3 GSBA 581 Information Systems Management 1.5 ___ 7.5
Fall Semester, Year 1 Units GSBA 517a**** Accounting Control Systems 1.5 GSBA 528 Marketing Management 3 GSBA 544 The Firm in the National Economy 1.5 GSBA 547a*** Operations Management 1.5 GSBA 548 Corporate Finance 3 _____ 9
Spring Semester, Year 2 Units GSBA 517b**** Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting 3 GSBA 519b Managerial Economics 3 GSBA 542b Strategic Formulation for Comptetitive Advantage 1.5 GSBA 547b Communication for Management 1.5 GSBA 582 Business Environment and Mangement Practices in the Pacifice Rim 3 ___ 9
Summer Session, Year 2 Electives (2) 6
Fall Semester, Year 2 Electives (2) 6
Spring Semester, Year 3 Electives (2) 6
Summer Session, Year 3 Electives (2) 6
Fall Semester, Year 3 Electives (2) 6 _____ Total units for degree: 63 *Students entering in fall will take GSBA 522ab in lieu of GSBA 543; the content is identical.
**Students entering in fall will take GSBA 506ab in lieu of GSBA 524; the content is identical.
***Students entering in fall will take GSBA 534 in lieu of GSBA 547ab; the content is identical.
****Students entering in fall will take GSBA 518 in lieu of GSBA 517ab; the content is identical
Computer Proficiency Requirement
Students in the M.B.A. program must demonstrate computer proficiency in GSBA required courses or business electives. The computer applications include word processing, data base management, electronic spreadsheet and business graphics programs.
The Learning Services Center may be contacted for information about computer preparation or tutoring. The center is located in Hoffman Hall 300.
Calculus Prerequisite
Knowledge of fundamental calculus is a prerequisite to some courses offered by the Marshall School of Business. Students are required to take a calculus course prior to enrolling in the Master of Business Administration program.
Course Work at Another Institution
Once matriculated into a Marshall School of Business program, a student must receive prior permission by petition from the Graduate Academic Services Office to take course work (a maximum of six units) at another institution. Only course work from an AACSB accredited business school can be accepted. A grade of B or better must be obtained.
Areas of Concentration
M.B.A. students (full-time or M.B.A.-P.M.) can pursue the following concentrations through their elective course choices.
Business of Entertainment
The entertainment industry, broadly defined, seeks M.B.A. graduates who are grounded in a functional specialty. All M.B.A. students interested in entertainment industry careers are encouraged to complete one of the functional area concentrations. In addition, the school will offer a variety of industry focused courses each year. Completing four of these courses will constitute a concentration in the business of entertainment.
USC’s School of Cinema-Television offers courses designed for M.B.A. students each year. Students completing four of these courses will receive a certificate from the School of Cinema-Television.
Recent course offerings have included:
Film Industry Finance; Studio Management; the Multi-Media Industry; and Sports Management.
Business Entrepreneurship
M.B.A. students must take a total of four courses to achieve a concentration in business entrepreneurship. Business enterprises that will prosper in the coming period of change will be those that can adapt to rapidly shifting economic and market cycles by creating innovative solutions to business problems. Courses given by the entrepreneur program provide students with a thorough grounding in the business skills needed to start or manage a rapidly growing business. Students can choose from a range of courses covering all aspects (financial, managerial, legal, operations) of organizing and managing independent and corporate new ventures.
Required BAEP 551 Introduction to New Ventures BAEP 552 Cases in Feasibility Analysis BAEP 554 The New Venture Business Plan Experiential learning is combined with academic preparation in all courses. Course work emphasizes projects, with mentors available to students in the development of feasibility plans and business plans. All courses in the entrepreneur program, with the exception of BAEP 554 The New Venture Business Plan, are designed to complement each other without duplication or overlap of content.
Select one from the following BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management BAEP 555 Management of Rapidly Growing Ventures BAEP 557 Technology Transfer BAEP 558 The Entrepreneurial Advisor It is recommended that these courses be preceded by completion of the M.B.A. core courses in finance, accounting and marketing.
Corporate Finance
This concentration consists of elective courses in finance which follow the basic finance concepts taught in GSBA 521 or GSBA 548. Students electing this concentration must successfully complete GSBA 521 or GSBA 548 as well as five courses (three required and two electives) from the list below:
Required FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation FBE 531 Corporate Financial Policy and Corporate Control FBE 532 Corporate Financial Strategy Electives (choose two of the following) ACCT 536 Advanced Cost Analysis and Management Accounting ACCT 544 Federal Taxes ACCT 572x Corporate Accounting and Reporting ACCT 574 Global Perspectives on Accounting FBE 525 Financial Institutions FBE 527 Financial Management for Developing Firms FBE 558 The Legal Environment of Finance FBE 559 Management of Financial Risk FBE 562 Current Issues in International Finance FBE 564 International Finance Management By taking the appropriate electives, students in the corporate finance concentration may specialize in three different tracks: financial institutions, international finance or small firm finance.
Corporate Financial Reporting
This concentration is designed for students who desire a position in corporate accounting or finance. Accordingly, this major can be combined with a concentration in finance to provide the student with essential education in critical aspects of financial reporting and financial statement analysis.
Required (choose at least three) ACCT 544 Federal Taxes ACCT 572x Corporate Accounting and Reporting ACCT 574 Global Perspectives on Accounting ACCT 581 Financial Statement Analysis Electives ACCT 546 Advanced Auditing Problems and Cases FBE 531 Corporate Financial Policy and Corporate Control FBE 532 Corporate Financial Strategy FBE 564 International Financial Management Designing and Reengineering Management Accounting and Control Systems
This concentration prepares students for positions as internal and external consultants in the design, development and reengineering of management accounting, management information systems and management control systems. Function-based issues include activity-based costing, planning and budgeting systems, and transfer pricing. Technology-based issues include the use of artificial intelligence, distributed databases, Electronic Data Interchange, and relational database models. Students who successfully complete this concentration will have an understanding of the “real world” issues in both accounting and information systems. They will be able to analyze and redesign management accounting and control systems.
Required ACCT 536 Advanced Cost Analysis and Management Accounting GSBA 537 Management Control Systems IOM 533 Information Systems Analysis IOM 535 Database Management Choose two of the following ACCT 549 Accounting Information Systems and Technologies IOM 536 Decision Support Systems IOM 538 Information Systems Strategy Choose one of the following field-study courses ACCT 599 Special Topics IOM 526 Quantitative Methods for Management Consulting IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations Recommended MOR 559 Strategic Renewal and Transformation Finance and Marketing
To successfully complete this dual concentration, students must take a total of seven courses, four in finance and three in marketing. The specific requirements include three core courses and two additional finance courses and two additional marketing courses.
Required FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation FBE 532 Corporate Financial Strategy MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research These courses deal with essential fundamentals that every M.B.A. student in this concentration must understand.
Specialization Options: Students must take two additional finance courses and two additional marketing courses.
Finance Focus One of the following three areas: Financial Analysis: One required course and one elective Corporate Finance: Two required courses Investments: One required course and one elective
Marketing Focus One of the following two areas, taking two of the three courses in the area selected: Managing Products Managing Clients More specific information on these specialization options and associated course work can be found under the finance concentrations (financial analysis and corporate finance) and marketing concentrations (managing products and managing clients) in this catalogue.
Students taking the finance and marketing concentration need to take only one elective rather than the number listed under the respective concentrations.
Financial Analysis
This concentration of five advanced courses will develop financial analysis skills substantially beyond the level of GSBA 521 and GSBA 548. Students electing this concentration must successfully complete GSBA 521 or GSBA 548 as well as five courses (four required and one elective) from the list below.
Required ACCT 572x Corporate Accounting and Reporting FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation FBE 531 Corporate Financial Policy and Corporate Control FBE 532 Corporate Financial Strategy Electives (choose one from the following) ACCT 536 Advanced Cost Analysis and Management Accounting ACCT 544 Federal Taxes ACCT 574 Global Perspectives on Accounting FBE 525 Financial Institutions FBE 558 The Legal Environment of Finance FBE 559 Management of Financial Risk FBE 562 Current Issues in International Finance FBE 564 International Financial Management FBE 591 Advanced Real Estate Analysis By taking an additional elective course, students in the financial analysis concentration may specialize in one of two different tracks: financial institutions analysis and real estate analysis.
Information Systems
This concentration prepares M.B.A. students for careers as analysts and managers in information systems organizations or for positions in functional areas. Information systems refers to the entire set of systems and activities to manage, process and use information as a resource in an organization. Information systems includes quantitative techniques in business planning, decision making, control and performance analysis. The managerial aspects of information systems include information systems analysis and design, database design and administration, the role of information systems in accounting and auditing, and information systems strategy.
Required IOM 530 Information Systems Management IOM 533 Information Systems Analysis Choose three of the following IOM 531 End-user Computing in Business IOM 535 Database Management IOM 536 Decision Support Systems IOM 538 Information Systems Strategy IOM 539 Fast Response Management Systems IOM 540 Managing Electronic Commerce IOM 541 Business Process Reengineering Methodologies IOM 542 Knowledge Management IOM 543 Global Telecommunications: The Business Perspecitve Investments
This concentration consists of elective courses in finance that explore various areas of investment management. Students electing to take this concentration must successfully complete GSBA 521 or GSBA 548 as well as five courses (four required and one elective) from the list below:
Required FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation FBE 532 Corporate Financial Strategy FBE 555 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management FBE 559 Management of Financial Risk Electives (choose one from the following) ACCT 572x Corporate Accounting and Reporting ACCT 574 Global Perspectives on Accounting FBE 524 The Financial System FBE 554 Trading and Exchanges FBE 556 Seminar in Applied Portfolio Management FBE 558 The Legal Environment of Finance FBE 562 Current Issues in International Finance FBE 591 Advanced Real Estate Analysis By taking an additional elective course, students in the investments concentration may specialize in two different tracks: international investments and real estate investments.
Management Consulting
This concentration prepares students for careers in management consulting, either as a member of a consulting firm or an an internal consultant within a corporation. It provides knowledge and skills for contracting with clients, analyzing their problems and devising appropriate solutions. This concentration is highly relevant for students considering a consulting career in such functional areas as finance, accounting, marketing, information systems, operations management or human resources. The courses in this option provide students with practical knowledge about the consulting process as well as field experiences to gain relevant skills.
Required Core MOR 557 Management Consulting MOR 559 Business Reengineering and Transformation Choose one or more of the following tracks.
Track 1: Advanced Consulting Issues and Skills (choose two courses)
This concentration is designed to prepare students with skills in project management and negotiation, as well as assist them in becoming knowledgeable about the many different types of management consultants and consulting firms.
GSBA 568 The Economics and Marketing of a Professional Service Firm IOM 526 Quantitative Methods for Management Consulting IOM 580 Project Management MKT 531 Services Marketing MOR 542 Management in a Global Economy MOR 558 Strategic Management of Industrial Technology MOR 569 Negotiation and Persuasion Track 2: Information Technology (choose two courses)
This option is designed to provide a basic understanding of the impact and use of information technology (artificial intelligence/expert systems, Electronic Data Interchange, transaction processing systems) critical for opportunities in systems oriented consulting with accounting firms or with firms providing accounting related consulting services.
ACCT 549 Accounting Information Systems and Technologies IOM 533 Information Systems Analysis Track 3: Management Control Systems (required)
This option is designed to provide basic skills in management accounting (activity-based costing systems, manufacturing accounting systems) and management control systems (budgeting, designing reporting systems, compensation systems) that are critical for opportunities in management-oriented consulting with accounting firms or with firms providing accounting related consulting services.
ACCT 536 Advanced Cost Analysis and Management Accounting ACCT 537 Management Control Systems Marketing (Managing Clients)
Many products and services are sold to customers on a personal basis (e.g., financial services, consumer durables, business-to-business products). Close customer contacts, relationship building and service quality are critical components of management client relationships.
Required MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research MKT 525 Consumer Behavior MKT 529 Account Management MKT 531 Services Marketing Choose one from the following MKT 535 Business Marketing Management MKT 555 Marketing Channels MKT 560 Marketing Strategy and Policy MKT 565 Global Marketing See also the finance and marketing concentration.
Marketing (Managing Products)
Many other products and services are sold to large groups of customers with little personal contact (e.g., consumer packaged goods). In this arena, product development and advertising-promotion management are especially critical.
Required MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research MKT 525 Consumer Behavior MKT 526 Advertising and Promotion Strategy MKT 530 Product Planning Choose one from the following MKT 535 Business Marketing Management MKT 555 Marketing Channels MKT 560 Marketing Strategy and Policy MKT 565 Global Marketing See also the finance and marketing concentration.
Manufacturing Operations Management
A concentration in operations management prepares M.B.A. students for careers in the management of the operations in manufacturing. The focus is on the nature and impact of operations decisions at both the strategic and tactical levels in organization. Specifically, operations management deals with issues such as total quality management, time-based competition, just-in-time production, reducing inventories, increasing flexibility and using new technologies to improve quality, reduce costs and cycle time.
Required IOM 520 Logistics and Distribution Systems IOM 525 Quality Improvement Methods IOM 581 Supply Chain Management IOM 583 Operations Consulting Choose two of the following IOM 532 Business Modeling and Simulation IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations IOM 539 Fast Response Management Systems IOM 541 Business Process Reengineering Methodologies MOR 559 Strategic Renewal and Transformation MOR 561 Managing Technology and Innovation Process Consulting
The process consulting concentration prepares students for consulting careers where the consultant is engaged in the analysis and improvement of an organization’s business process. In this track, students learn three areas of knowledge useful in analyzing and improving business processes: operations management, information systems and generic analytic methodologies.
Operations management issues particularly focused on process consulting include supply chain management, operations strategy and how to trade off the key operations variables of cost, variety and time. Information systems issues include introductory knowledge about alternative information systems architectures and design parameters and management issues, as well as specialized information systems for electronic commerce and fast-response organizations. Finally, generic analytic methodologies include business process improvement techniques, quantitative methods, modeling tools for network flows and quality improvement tools.
Students are required to take a minimum of four courses: one from operations management, one from information systems, one elective from operations management and one elective from analytic methodologies. In addition, for those students pursuing process consulting careers dependent on information technologies, additional electives in information systems should be considered. Courses appropriate for the process consulting track are as follows:
Required IOM 530 Information Systems Management IOM 583 Operations Consulting Choose one of the following in the Operations Management Area : IOM 539 Fast Response Management Systems IOM 581 Supply Chain Management IOM 582 Management of Service Organization Choose one of the following in the Analytic Methodologies Area : IOM 520 Logistics and Distribution Systems IOM526 Quantitative Methods for Mangement Consulting IOM541 Business Process Reengineering Methodologies MOR 557 Management Consulting Optional Electives In Information Systems : IOM 533 Information Systems Analysis IOM540 Managing Electronic Commerce Service Operations Management
A concentration in service operations management prepares M.B.A. students for careers in the managing of, or consulting to, service businesses. The focus is on the nature and impact of operations decisions at both the strategic and tactical levels in service organizations. The concentration will provide students with necessary skills for designing services and achieving world class service performance.
Required IOM 582 Management of Service Operations Choose two of the following: IOM 525 Quality Improvement Methods IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations IOM 539 Fast Response Management Systems IOM 541 Business Process Reengineering MKT 531 Services Marketing MOR 559 Business Reengineering and Transformation MOR 561 Managing Technology and Innovation Real Estate
The real estate concentration prepares students for careers in two broad areas of the real estate industry. The first area, real estate finance and development, is at the nexus of the real estate industry with the capital markets. The second area, real estate development and asset management, focuses on the development, ownership and management of real estate asset management or real property.
Required FBE 589 Real Estate Analysis FBE 591 Advanced Real Estate Analysis Real Estate Finance and Development Track
Required FBE 570 Practicum in Real Estate Elective (choose one from the following) FBE 565 Economics of Urban Land Use: Feasibility Studies FBE 588 Advanced Real Estate Law FBE 595 Advanced Real Estate Valuation: Theory and Case Studies Real Estate Development and Asset Management Track
Required FBE 565 Economics of Urban Land Use: Feasibility Studies Elective (choose one from the following) FBE 570 Practicum in Real Estate FBE 588 Advanced Real Estate Law FBE 595 Advanced Real Estate Valuation: Theory and Case Studies Strategic Human Resource Management
Students in the concentration will take at least four approved courses. All students take MOR 548 Human Resource Management, which serves as a foundation course, introducing students to the key concepts of SHRM. Students then take at least three more focused courses. Students will also develop the interpersonal skills required to play effective SHRM leadership roles.
Required MOR 548 Human Resource Management Choose three from the following: ACCT 537 Management Control Systems MOR 551 Employee Involvement, Motivation, and Performance MOR 554 Organization Development and Change MOR 555 Design of High Performing Organizations MOR 560 Executive Decision-Making MOR 567* Interpersonal Dynamics in Organizations MOR 569* Negotiation and Persuasion *Students can count MOR 569 or MOR 567 toward the concentration but not both.
Technology and Innovation Management
Required IOM 538 Information Systems Strategy MOR 558 Strategic Management of Industrial Technology Choose two of the following: IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations IOM 539 Fast-Response Management Systems IOM 580 Project Management MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research MKT 530 Product Planning MOR 561 Managing Technology and Innovation Health Care Advisory Services
This concentration assists M.B.A. students in preparation for careers in analytical or advisory capacities within the health care industry whether in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, government agencies or consulting firms. The concentration is generally offered in association with the Health Services Administration in the School of Public Administration. PUAD 530 Problems and Issues in the Health Field is required for this concentration.
Exception: Students pursuing this concentration may take up to three courses in the School of Public Administration from the courses listed.
Courses IOM 582 Management of Service Operations MOR 555 Design of High Performing Organizations PUAD 508 Management of Managed Care Organizations PUAD 509 Management of Long-Term Care Organizations PUAD 530 Problems and Issues in the Health Field PUAD 531b Financial Management of Health Services PUAD 536 Legal Issues in Health Care Delivery PUAD 539 Seminar in Hospital Administration PUAD 569 Administration of Mental Health Services PUAD 573 Wellness in the Workplace PUAD 593 Advanced Seminar in Health Services Administration Waivers
Subject waiver of required courses may be granted to students based on prior academic work. All waived courses must be replaced with approved electives.
Students should carefully read their program evaluation form to know what electives must be taken if they are granted subject waivers. To be granted a subject waiver in a particular field, the student must have (1) completed at least two relevant courses in the field at the upper division or graduate level, (2) earned a grade of B or better, and (3) completed the courses no more than five years before entering the master’s program at USC from an AACSB accredited business school (or equivalent economics department).
Further information regarding the waiver policy in the Marshall School of Business may be obtained from the Graduate Registration and Advisement Office which is located in Bridge Hall 103, (213) 740-5424.
Academic Warning and Dismissal
Master’s students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better to stay in good academic standing.
Academic Warning
Master’s students who, in a term, do not earn or maintain a 3.0 (A = 4.0) grade point average will be given an academic warning in the semester following the one in which they became deficient in grade points. Students who fail to achieve a 3.0 upon completion of the required number of units for any degree may, with the prior permission of the Associate Dean for Master’s Degree Programs, be allowed to take a maximum of 12 additional units at USC to obtain the required GPA. Petitions to take additional units should be submitted to the Marshall School of Business Registration and Advisement Office in BRI 103, FAX (213) 740-8936 or email: sbareg@bus.usc.edu.
Grades below C (2.0) in all master’s degree courses are not acceptable. If a lower grade is obtained, the course must be repeated at USC and a grade of C or above must be obtained. Degree credit will not be given for courses with grades of C- and below but the grades are computed into the grade point average. Such courses should be repeated in the next semester in which the course in question is offered and must be repeated within one calendar year. Satisfactory completion of all required courses must occur prior to or concurrently with the beginning of advanced course work.
Dismissal
Master’s students on probation may be subject to dismissal after two consecutive semesters of warning for full-time students or three semesters for part-time students if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0.
Master of Science
Master of Science in Business Administration (M.S.)
The second master’s degree in business, Master of Science in Business Administration, is designed to provide students with an opportunity to pursue an area of specialization subsequent to successfully completing the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). The program is tailored to the specific requirements of each student and is especially valuable for graduates who are employed and desire additional knowledge in a given field. The degree can be taken either on an evening or full-time basis. The Master of Science program is available only to those holding M.B.A. degrees from American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited institutions. For the Master of Science degree, a minimum of 26 graduate units is required for all candidates. No more than two courses or eight units may be taken in graduate work outside of the Marshall School of Business. An evaluation of work completed determines if prior work needs updating to prepare for new course work. If it is determined that preliminary courses are needed, the number of units needed to complete the Master of Science degree will increase and such units will be indicated on the official evaluation form. The student must file in writing an official program of study with the Marshall School of Business. Because the Master of Science degree program leads to greater specialization, a minimum of two units of GSBA 590 Directed Research must be included in the proposed program which covers a definitive area of study culminating in a research report in the area of specialization. The research will be under the direction of an individual faculty member from the department in which the area of specialization is taken. No GSBA prefixed classes between 510-534, 540-550, 560-575 and 597 may be used as credit toward the Master of Science in Business Administration.
Master of Science in Information and Operations Management (M.S.)
This program is designed to provide technical competence in operational processes, information technology or statistical analysis/quality control. Students choose one of three optional tracks in this 32-unit program: information management, operations management or statistics.
This program has a special attraction for students with bachelor’s degrees in business, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics or the natural sciences. The assumed prerequisite background for this degree is undergraduate courses in statistical analysis, mathematical modeling and computer systems, or their equivalents.
Major/Minor Studies (26 units)
Required courses Units IOM 525 Quality Improvement Methods 3 IOM 570 Applied Modeling and Optimization for Decision Support 3
Directed Research Paper and Minor Studies Units GSBA 590 Directed Research 2 Minor Studies Minor track 6 The directed research paper is intended to be a more in-depth study based on a project from a course of the student’s choice. The student chooses a track to be his or her major track and a track to be his or her minor track. At least four courses are taken in the major track and two courses in the minor track.
Operations Management Units Select four courses for track: IOM 520 Logistics and Distribution Systems IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations 3 IOM 541 Business Process Reengineering Methodologies 3 IOM 580 Project Management 3 IOM 581 Supply Chain Management 3 IOM 582 Management of Service Operations 3 IOM 583 Operations Consulting 3
Information Management Units Select four courses for track: IOM 531 End-User Computing in Business 3 IOM 533 Information Systems Analysis 3 IOM 535 Database Management 3 IOM 536 Decision Support Systems 3 IOM 537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations 3 IOM 538 Information Systems Strategy 3 IOM 539 Fast Response Management Systems 3 IOM 540 Managing Electronic Commerce 3 IOM 541 Business Process Reengineering Methodologies 3 IOM 542 Knowledge Management 3 IOM 543 Global Telecommunications : The Business Perspective 3
Managerial Statistics Units Four courses (two required and two elective) for track: Required Courses GSBA 524 Applied Managerial Statistics, or GSBA 604 Empirical Research Methods II 3 IOM 526 Quantitative Methods for Management Consulting, or MATH 650 Seminar in Statistical Consulting 3 Electives Select two courses from the following: GSBA 603* Empirical Research Methods I 3 GSBA 605* Empirical Research Methods III
(GSBA 603 and GSBA 604 prerequisites)3 IOM 522 Applied Time Series Analysis for Forecasting 3 ISE 426 Statistical Quality Control 3 ISE 525 Intermediate Engineering Statistics II 3 ISE 527 Advanced Quality Control 3 ISE 528 Reliability 3 MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research 3 *600-level courses require departmental approval.
Dual Degrees
Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./M.B.A.)
The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the Law School offers a program leading to the degree of Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration in which 15 units of Law School electives are recognized by the Marshall School of Business. Applicants to this program must take both the Graduate Management Admission Test and the Law School Admission Test. The total number of units required for the M.B.A. program is 48.
First Year: Required Law School courses.
Second Year: M.B.A. core program.
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.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in East Asian Area Studies
The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the East Asian Studies Center (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 enrolled in the joint degree 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 to take five courses and write a thesis (for a total of 24 units) or take six courses and pass a comprehensive examination (for a total of 24 units).
Applicants for the Joint M.B.A./M.A. in East Asian Area Studies program are required to follow the admission procedures for the M.B.A. program . GRE scores are not required for admission into the joint program. GMAT scores are required.
Required Courses
Required business courses include: all required courses in an M.B.A. core program. Required East Asian Area Studies courses: EASC 592 Proseminar on Issues and Trends in Contemporary East Asia (4 units) and one course from the following list: (Cultural/Historical Foundations of East Asia): EALC 501 History of Chinese Literature, EALC 506 Selections from Classical Chinese Literature, EALC 515 Classical Japanese Poetics, EALC 53l Proseminar in Chinese Cultural History, EALC 532 Proseminar in Korean Cultural History, EALC 533 Proseminar in Japanese
Cultural History, EALC 540 Japanese Thought: Cultural Topics, EALC 541 Seminar: Japan, EALC 543 Seminar: Japanese Literature, EALC 551 Seminar: China, EALC 553 Seminar: Chinese Literature, EALC 610 Seminar: Buddhism and the Literary Arts in Japan, EALC 615 Seminar: Topics in Edo Literature, AHIS 518 Seminar in Chinese Art, AHIS 519 Seminar in Japanese Art, HIST 535 Studies in Japanese History, HIST 536 Studies in Chinese History, HIST 540 Studies in Modern East Asian History, HIST 630 Seminar in Japanese History, HIST 635 Seminar in Chinese History.
Elective Courses (Thesis Option)
During the second and third years of the program, students must complete graduate business elective courses sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48, complete 12 units of East Asian Area Studies elective courses (three courses), and a four unit thesis under the guidance of a faculty committee comprising three members. The subject will concern East Asia and may focus on business/finance.
Elective Courses (Comprehensive Examination Option)
During the second and third years of the program, students must complete graduate business elective courses sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48, complete 16 units of East Asian Area Studies elective courses (four courses) and pass a comprehensive examination in East Asian Area Studies.
Foreign Language Requirement
Students must be able to demonstrate oral and written proficiency in Chinese, Japanese or Korean language through the third year level (equivalent to six semesters) before the joint M.B.A./M.A. program is completed. Language course work taken to meet this requirement will not count toward the minimum unit or course requirements for completion of the degree program. Therefore, students without sufficient undergraduate language course work, native speaker capability or other prior training, are advised that additional units and course work beyond the minimum 72 units may be required in order to satisfy the foreign language requirement. USC offers beginning, intermediate and advanced Chinese, Japanese and Korean language courses during the academic year (fall/spring) and intensive 10-week language programs during the summer that provide beginning and intermediate level instruction.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Planning (M.B.A./M.Pl.)
The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the School of Urban Planning and Development offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Business/Master of Planning in which 15 units of Master of Planning electives are recognized by the Marshall School of Business.
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 Urban Planning and Development. 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. See urban planning and development course requirements.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Real Estate Development
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. Application must be made to both the Marshall School of Business and the School of Urban Planning and Development. Please consult the Admission Procedures section of each school for specific requirements. This program normally requires two years (including summer) of full-time study in residence to complete.
Students must have use of an approved laptop computer as required by instructors and must demonstrate calculator and spreadsheet skills; a calculator and/or spreadsheet 1-unit class is offered on a pass/no pass basis during the summer session.
A total of 80 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 (3 units); graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48; and 10 urban planning and development courses (32 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 Urban Planning and Development.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Gerontology
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.
Gerontology Requirements
The Master of Science in Gerontology requires 30 units of course and field work which covers the core content of the M.S. program.
Required Courses Units GERO 510 Physiology of Development and Aging 4 GERO 520 Life Span Developmental Psychology 4 GERO 530 Life Span Developmental Sociology 4 GERO 540 Social Policy and Aging 4 GERO 570 Corporate Policies and Aging 4 GERO 591z Field Practicum 4 GERO 555 Integrating Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Approach 4 Gerontology elective 2 Elective Courses (choose one from the following) Units GERO 444 Pre-Retirement Planning 2 GERO 513 Stress, Health, and Aging 2 GERO 545 Prevention, Rehabilitation, Promotion and Health 2 GERO 592 Multidisciplinary Research Seminar in Aging 2 ____ 30 Business Administration Requirements
The Master of Business Administration requires 48 units of credit. Required courses include: all courses required in an M.B.A. core program; MOR 548 Human Resource Management (3 units); one marketing elective chosen from among MKT 512 Marketing and Consumer Research, MKT 525 Consumer Behavior, MKT 560 Marketing Strategy and Policy, and MKT 569 Contemporary Marketing Problems (3 units); and additional business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.
Program Adaptation
The 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.
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 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
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 dual degree provides an education of great depth.
The total number of units required for the M.B.A. program is 48.
Required business courses include: all courses in an M.B.A. core program — although GSBA 524 Applied Managerial Statistics and GSBA 534 Operations Management may be substituted by electives in the Marshall School of Business on the basis of successful completion of ISE 220, ISE 225; CSCI 455x with grades of B or better; and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48.
See the School of Engineering for M.S. course requirements.
M.B.A./D.D.S. Dual Degree Program
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.
The M.B.A./D.D.S. dual degree is offered cooperatively by the School of Dentistry and the Marshall School of Business. Students must complete all requirements established by both schools for their respective degrees.
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 program. A total of 48 units must be completed in the Marshall School of Business.
First Year: Required Dentistry courses
Second Year: Required M.B.A. core program
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. The dentistry requirement of four units of selective courses will be met by Marshall School courses.
The program may be completed in five calendar years.
Admission Requirements
Students who have successfully completed one year in the School of Dentistry will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business.
Pharm.D./M.B.A. Dual Degree Program
This dual degree program — Pharm.D./M.B.A. — is offered cooperatively by the School of Pharmacy and the Marshall School of Business to successful candidates. Students must complete all requirements established by both schools for their respective degrees.
The program involves completion of the first year in the School of Pharmacy, the second in the Marshall School of Business, and then completion of the balance of the Pharmacy program in the School of Pharmacy. A total of 48 units of business course work is required.
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 Pharm.D. and the M.B.A. are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the School of Pharmacy and the Marshall School of Business requirements.
Admission Requirements
Students who have completed one year in the School of Pharmacy will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business.
M.B.A./M.S., Nursing Dual Degree Program
Responding to the growing demand for nursing administrators with high-level management, leadership and business skills as well as a knowledge of nursing, the USC Department of Nursing has joined an elite group of nine universities throughout the country who offer dual degree programs. This M.B.A./M.S. dual degree program is offered cooperatively by the Department of Nursing and the Marshall School of Business. Students must complete concurrently all requirements established by both programs for their respective degrees.
This three-year program involves completion of the first year in the Department of Nursing, the second in the Marshall School of Business and the completion of the balance of the nursing program and related cognates in business.
A total of 48 units of business course work is required: 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.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy program in business administration is designed to produce research-oriented graduates who, from positions in academia, business or industry, can advance the state-of-the-art of business practice and enhance the contributions that business can make to the larger community. These goals can be advanced through research contributions in theory, concepts, methods and practices, and contributions to the education of the next generation of business leaders.
This degree is awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Graduate School section of this catalogue. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.
Admission
The Ph.D. program in Business Administration welcomes applications from students with high intellectual aptitude who plan careers in research and teaching. Students with strong backgrounds in mathematics, the social sciences, engineering and sciences are encouraged to apply for admission to the program. A master’s degree or M.B.A. is not a requirement for entry into the doctoral program; students may enter with only a bachelor’s degree.
Consideration is given to the rigor of the undergraduate curriculum, academic performance, scores on the GRE or GMAT, and the quality of the applicant’s statement of purpose and personal references. One year of college calculus is a prerequisite for admission; matrix algebra, introductory mathematical statistics and intermediate economic theory are very desirable. Candidates whose qualifications are otherwise exceptionally strong can remedy deficiencies by enrollment in courses prior to their first semester. Doctoral students begin their program in early August. The program is full-time including summers. No part-time or evening programs are available. The final application deadline is February 1. The GMAT should be taken no later than early January. Test scores are valid for five years. Admissions and fellowship requests are reviewed as a group and not on a rolling basis.
Campus interviews will be initiated by the departments for their top candidates. In cases where in-person interviews cannot be arranged, telephone interviews will be substituted.
Applicants should secure at least three letters of recommendation. The doctoral committee prefers that all recommendations be written by academicians familiar with the applicant’s scholastic and research capabilities. However, an applicant who has been away from an academic environment for a significant period of time may substitute nonacademic references.
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy in business administration is based on a program of study and research culminating in the completion of a dissertation in the major field of study. A minimum of 60 units of course work beyond the baccalaureate is required for the Ph.D. degree, including research courses and a minimum of four units and a maximum of eight units of 794ab Doctoral Dissertation. For students who already possess a master’s degree, a minimum of 36 semester units of course work beyond that degree is required exclusive of 794ab Doctoral Dissertation. Until the time the student is granted permission to take the qualifying examinations, successful completion of at least nine units per successive semester is required. Doctoral students will be subject to disqualification at any time if the Marshall School of Business determines that they are deficient in academic achievement. All students must maintain a 3.0 average
Screening Procedure
In addition to whatever papers and examinations are assigned in first-year courses a screening process will occur in May. This process will include a review of each student’s grades, an analysis of competence in written communications and reports by each faculty member who has had course or other responsibility for a student. Based upon this review, the Ph.D. committee will determine whether to formally admit a student into the Ph.D. program in the area of specialization. Students who have not performed satisfactorily will be dropped from the program. The review shall normally be completed and results communicated to students by June 1. If additional data is needed, students may be invited to take a written or oral examination or complete a written assignment. In some cases the first-year summer project may be taken into account in determining whether a student should continue in the program.
Advisor and Guidance Committee
An advisor from the Ph.D. faculty is appointed at the beginning of the student’s first academic year. After the screening exam has been passed, the guidance committee is established by the Graduate School upon recommendation of the director of the doctoral program. The guidance committee is comprised of five or more faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the Marshall School of Business.
Course Requirements
Each student must successfully complete one core course (GSBA 602) and three research methodology classes (GSBA 603, 604 and 605). Advanced course work is specified by the student’s guidance committee in preparation for the qualifying examinations in the area of specialization. The areas are: accounting, information and operations management, finance and business economics, management and organization and marketing.
Summer Research Project
The summer research project provides students with a greater understanding of the academic research process. This project demonstrates the student’s ability to explore a particular problem area, define a problem, use appropriate research methods, and communicate the results in a clear and concise form. The paper must be completed before September 15 of the second year. The paper should be targeted for a specific academic journal and written in the format and style appropriate for that journal. Students are required to make a formal presentation of the project results before their department’s research forums.
Qualifying Examinations
The examinations qualifying a student for candidacy are comprehensive in nature. They are designed to determine the student’s competence in the area of specialization.
The qualifying examinations consist of written examinations and an oral examination. The written examinations are prepared and graded by faculty and all must be passed before an oral examination can be administered by the student’s guidance committee.
Doctoral Dissertation
The final phase of the program is the completion of a dissertation. The dissertation must be based on original investigation which makes a substantive contribution to knowledge and demonstrates capacity for independent, scholarly research. The quality of the dissertation should meet the standards for publication in leading journals in the field. Typically, dissertations in business administration will be research studies which advance the body of knowledge concerned with the understanding of issues and solution of problems confronting managers and administrators. As such, a dissertation will (1) develop or extend theories, techniques or models relevant to managerial problems; (2) demonstrate original applications or adaptations of existing theories, techniques or models to managerial problems in a specific area; (3) develop innovative formulations and analyses of complex managerial problems and propose creative approaches to their solution; (4) employ scientific research methodology to test empirically the validity of existing theories, techniques or models and their application to specific types of managerial problems.
A dissertation committee chair shall be requested by the student and appointed by the Ph.D. program director within 90 days after the student has passed the qualifying exams. The remaining faculty on the dissertation committee shall be appointed within six months after the student has passed the qualifying exams.
The committee must consist of at least four tenure-track faculty, one of whom is outside the Marshall School of Business. Students are encouraged to add additional faculty to the committee, especially those who might provide valuable expertise that improves the dissertation. It is important that the student select faculty members who are committed and interested in serving on the committee, since a quality dissertation requires extensive interaction with and a sizable time commitment from individual faculty members.
Defense of the Dissertation
When the dissertation committee agrees that the candidate has essentially completed the research and a satisfactory draft of the dissertation has been written, a final oral examination is held. This examination is open to all members of the faculty of the school and the university. Final judgment on the dissertation and the oral defense is rendered by members of the dissertation committee. The dissertation must be accepted unanimously by the dissertation committee.
Format for Theses and Dissertations
All theses and dissertations submitted in fulfillment of requirements for graduate degrees at USC must conform to certain university regulations with regard to format and method of preparation. These requirements are explained in detail in Regulations for Format and Presentation of Theses and Dissertations, available from the Graduate School, Grace Ford Salvatori Hall 315. Further information on procedures is contained in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
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