Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Science
The Marshall School of Business offers curricula leading to the undergraduate degree Bachelor of Science with a major in Business Administration or Accounting. Three additional joint programs with the School of Cinema-Television, the program in East Asian Area Studies and the School of International Relations are also offered by the school.
The curricular requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree fall into two parts: lower division (first and second years) and upper division (third and fourth years).
Admission
Students may be admitted to the program as incoming freshmen, as USC undergraduates transferring from another major or as students transferring from another college or university. Admission to Marshall is dependent on admission to the university and on academic performance, particularly in quantitative areas. USC students who have not been admitted to the major or the minor in the Marshall School of Business may complete a maximum of 20 units from the Marshall School of Business and/or the Leventhal School of Accounting. No further course work may be taken unless a student is admitted.
General Education Requirements
The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail in the
General Education Program section.
Business Prerequisite Requirements
A total of 60 units of non-business course work is required for any of the undergraduate degrees conferred by the Marshall School of Business. See the sample programs on the following pages for scheduling suggestions. Transfer students may meet individual subject requirements with three semester units or four quarter units.
Successful completion of upper division courses for which lower division courses are prerequisites does not constitute a basis for waiving the lower division courses. For example, a student who passes BUAD 310 Applied Business Statistics prior to taking MATH 218 will not be waived from the MATH 218 requirement.
In addition, international students working toward the business degree are expected to take and successfully complete ALI 262 English for International Business Undergraduates prior to enrolling in BUAD 302 Business Communication. Exceptions to this policy may be granted through the American Language Institute waiver process.
| Business Prerequisites | Units |
|---|
| ECON 203 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 205 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| MATH 118x* | Fundamental Principles of the Calculus (MATH 125 Calculus I may be substituted) | 4 |
| MATH 218 | Probability for Business | 4 |
| WRIT 140 | Writing and Critical Reasoning | 4 |
A maximum of 24 units of undergraduate course work may be taken pass/no pass and used toward the B.S. degree in Business Administration. However, all prerequisites for business and all business courses must be taken for a letter grade. No more than four units of credit (or one course) counting toward the general education categories may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. The writing requirement cannot be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
Business Core
Business majors begin taking the business core program as freshmen and complete it during their junior and senior years. Students are urged to complete most of these courses during the junior year so that they can pursue their senior concentration and courses in other areas of interest during their senior year.
| Business Core | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 250ab | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4-4 |
| BUAD 302 | Business Communication | 4 |
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| BUAD 306 | Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| BUAD 310 | Applied Business Statistics | 4 |
| BUAD 311 | Operations Management | 4 |
| BUAD 350 | Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions, or |
| BUAD 351 | Economic Analysis for Business Decisions | 4 |
| BUAD 497 | Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only) | 4 |
Areas of Concentration
In addition to the core courses, students are required to concentrate in an area of business. The intent is for students to gain a deeper understanding of a specific field in which they have interest.
A concentration generally consists of four emphasis courses (16 units) offered by the Marshall School of Business, usually from the same academic area. However, concentrations may be individually designed with prior approval of an academic advisor. Students can also satisfy the concentration requirement in international business through participation in a Marshall School of Business sponsored international exchange program. For information about this program contact Undergraduate Student Services, Bridge Hall 103. Please note that the Leventhal School of Accounting requires eight courses (26 units) beyond BUAD 250ab. Students wanting information for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting should refer to the Accounting section of this catalogue.
Sample Program
During the first two years students will complete general education requirements, business prerequisite requirements and take several courses from the business core. The following sample program does not represent a required sequence of study; rather, it serves as a guideline. To ensure that a student understands more fully the requirements in courses and course scheduling, incoming freshmen and new transfer students should contact the Marshall School of Business, Office of Academic Advising, Bridge Hall 104, (213) 740-0690, for mandatory advisement before enrolling in classes at USC.
| First Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| ECON 203 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| WRIT 140 | Writing and Critical Reasoning | 4 |
| General Education | Social Issues | 4 |
| | 16 |
| First Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| ECON 205 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| MATH 118x | Fundamental Principles of the Calculus | 4 |
| General Education | 8 |
| | 16 |
| Second Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 250a | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4 |
| MATH 218 | Probability for Business | 4 |
| General Education | 8 |
| | 16 |
| Second Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 250b | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4 |
| BUAD 310 | Applied Business Statistics | 4 |
| BUAD 350 | Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions, or | |
| BUAD 351 | Economic Analysis for Business Decisions | 4 |
| General Education | 4 |
| | 16 |
| third Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 306 | Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| WRIT 340 | Advanced Writing | 4 |
| Diversity course or elective -- minor, language, other | 4 |
| | 16 |
| third Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 302 | Business Comminication | 4 |
| BUAD 311 | Operations Management | 4 |
| Electives -- minor, language, other | 8 |
| | 16 |
| fourth Year, First Semester | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 497 | Managerial Decision-Making and Planning | 4 |
| Senior Concentration | 4 |
| Senior Concentration | 4 |
| Elective -- minor, language, other | 4 |
| | 16 |
| fourth Year, Second Semester | Units |
|---|
| Senior Concentration | 4 |
| Senior Concentration | 4 |
| Electives -- minor, language, other | 8 |
| | 16 |
Studies in International Business
The interest in international business is reflected in the curricula of the school. Such courses as the following permit students to broaden their understanding of this increasingly important part of America's worldwide involvement: international trade and commercial policy, financial management of multinational corporations, international finance, multinational marketing, and international management practices and negotiation.
There is also an international exchange program that allows students to satisfy their concentration requirement through study abroad. For further information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Services in Bridge Hall 103.
Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
BUAD 490x Directed Research is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to pursue research above and beyond the normal course offerings. This course is open to seniors with a 3.0 or better grade point average who have obtained approval from a faculty sponsor, the department chair and the director of the Office of Academic Advisement by the semester prior to enrollment. Units are assigned on a variable basis with a maximum of 8 units toward an undergraduate degree, 4 units per semester.
Students may also work with faculty as research assistants. Research opportunities are made available through various departments at Marshall and through the university's undergraduate research program found at www.usc.edu/ugresearch.
Academic Advisement
Academic advisement is provided through the Marshall School of Business Office of Academic Advisement located in Bridge Hall 104, (213) 740-0690. Business students will be required to meet with an academic advisor before registering, and this requirement will be in effect until 24 USC units are completed. However, all students are encouraged to see an academic advisor on a regular basis. Upon admission to the Marshall School, students join a "cohort" of other business students. Each cohort has about 60 members. Cohorts take certain prerequisite and core courses together. Each cohort has a dedicated staff advisor and a faculty mentor.
A record of each student is kept on file in Bridge Hall 104. Appointments for advisement may be scheduled at most times during the academic year. However, during busy times such as the pre-registration, registration and drop/add periods, advisors may be available on a walk-in basis only.
Registration
Students may register for business courses directly by using the Touch-Tone or
Web registration systems, according to their scheduled appointment times. Appointment times are based on number of units completed, that is, seniors have the first opportunity to register for a course.
Therefore, it is important that students register as soon as their appointment time allows or their priority standing will be lost.
Although there is a high demand for all required business classes, every effort is made to ensure that the demand is met. Students register for core courses until they are filled. There are no wait lists for core courses. The best method of ensuring that students get a core class that they need at their preferred times is to register on time. Students who are late in registering for their core courses will usually get them, but at another time. The Marshall School of Business maintains wait lists for concentration classes because it is difficult to predict how many students will choose a particular concentration. Students may be put on the wait list in Bridge Hall 104. However, students may not be on a wait list for one section of a course and enroll in another section of the same course. It should be noted that being on a wait list does not guarantee a seat in a class. Therefore, students are strongly advised to register in an open class whenever possible.
Many required core classes have mandatory Friday labs and students can expect that they may have a class schedule that meets up to five days a week. Outside work commitments and other activities should be planned accordingly.
Marshall Undergraduate Student Services
The Marshall School of Business recognizes the importance of integrating education with experience. The Undergraduate Student Services Office, in cooperation with the USC Career Planning and Placement Center, provides business school undergraduates with assistance in finding internships, focusing on career issues and obtaining guidance from successful alumni. Students who actively participate in these programs maximize their opportunities for professional development and employment after graduation.
In addition to these programs, students are encouraged to participate in Marshall student organizations, numbering more than 20, to build leadership, teamwork and networking skills. The Student Services Office also offers seven international programs in Asia, Australia and Europe. Through these programs, students spend a semester overseas and fulfill courses in their senior concentration. For further information, contact Marshall Undergraduate Student Services, Bridge Hall 103, (213) 740-5705 or send email to studentservices@marshall.usc.edu.
Honor Societies
Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for business students. The Marshall School of Business chapter has been active since 1923. Juniors in the top five percent of the class and seniors in the top 10 percent of the class are invited to join. For further information, contact the Office of Academic Advising, Bridge Hall 104.
Transferring College Credit
Community College Courses
USC has established articulation agreements with most community colleges throughout California. Most academic courses are acceptable for transfer credit from a two-year school, but students will not receive credit for remedial course work. Courses that do not appear on the articulation agreement are not transferable. A maximum of 64 semester units may be transferred. There are univesity restrictions that apply to transferring course work from other institutions that may affect the above rule. Check with the Degree Progress Department (Student Administrative Services 010) for information about transferable courses or see a business advisor in Bridge Hall 104 before taking courses outside USC.
Official transcripts of college work taken elsewhere must be submitted at the time of application to the USC Office of Admission. A credit evaluation will be completed that will list transfer courses accepted for credit. All business courses completed at a two year college, if transferable, will be considered elective credit.
There is one exception to this policy: Students may transfer two semesters of introductory accounting and receive credit equivalent to one semester of introductory accounting at USC. Then students can register for BUAD 305 Abridged Core Concepts of Accounting Information and complete their accounting course requirement in one semester at USC. In this case, students would not be required to take BUAD 250ab. This policy applies only to students who transfer to USC after completing a substantial number of units at USC and not to students who matriculate at USC as freshmen.
Four Year Colleges
Most courses of an academic nature are acceptable for unit credit from all fully accredited four year institutions. If they do not satisfy specific subject requirements at USC, they will be accepted for elective course credit.
Students are urged to complete all their required business courses at USC. All business courses from four year institutions, if transferable, will be considered elective credit unless a challenge examination is passed. All upper division core classes, with the exception of BUAD 497 Managerial Decision-Making and Planning, may be challenged. Students should consult with an academic advisor in Bridge Hall 104 to initiate the challenge examination process.
Electives
To accumulate the 128 units required for the bachelor's degree, the business curriculum allows for 20 units taken as free electives. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a minor in a different field, study a language, and/or take advantage of the university's many opportunities to study abroad in order to reach the required units for graduation.
Grade Point Average Requirements
In addition to meeting university GPA requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (A = 4.0) in upper division business courses is required for graduation.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Cinema-Television)
Entertainment Management is a program consisting of courses offered by both the Marshall School of Business and the School of Cinema-Television. Students successfully completing the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Cinema-Television. The program is available to freshmen admitted to the Freshman Honors Program.
Requirements for Completion
To successfully complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business as well as an additional 24 units in cinema-television which specifically address the business side of the industry.
| Business requirements | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 250ab | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4-4 |
| BUAD 302 | Business Communication | 4 |
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| BUAD 306 | Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| BUAD 310 | Applied Business Statistics | 4 |
| BUAD 311 | Operations Management | 4 |
| BUAD 350 | Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions, or |
| BUAD 351 | Economic Analysis for Business Decisions | 4 |
| BUAD 497 | Managerial Decision-Making and Planning | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Total business units | 48 |
| Cinema-Television requirements | Units |
|---|
| CTCS 190 | Introduction to Cinema | 4 |
| CTCS 191 | Introduction to Television and Video | 4 |
| CTPR 410 | The Movie Business: From Story Concept to Exhibition | 2 |
| CTPR 460* | Film Business Procedures and Distribution | 2 or 4 |
| CTPR 461 | TV Station Management | 2 |
| Concentration | CTPR 460 Film Business Procedures and Distribution | 4 |
| Concentration | CTPR 495 Internship in Cinema/Television | 4 |
| Total cinema-television units | 24 |
| Total program units | 72 |
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (East Asian Studies)
Business and East Asian Studies is a program consisting of courses offered by both the Marshall School of Business and the East Asian Studies Center. Students successfully completing the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in East Asian Studies. The program is available to freshmen admitted to the Freshman Honors Program.
Requirements for Completion
To successfully complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business as well as an additional 24 units in East Asian Studies.
Although not required, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in two summer sessions of a Language for Special Purposes Program offered at the USC Language Center. This is a non-credit program involving intensive language training to complement the particular area of study selected by the student.
| Business requirements | Units |
|---|
| BUAD 250ab | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4-4 |
| BUAD 302 | Business Communication | 4 |
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| BUAD 306 | Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| BUAD 310 | Applied Business Statistics | 4 |
| BUAD 311 | Operations Management | 4 |
| BUAD 350 | Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions, or |
| BUAD 351 | Economic Analysis for Business Decisions | 4 |
| BUAD 497 | Managerial Decision-Making and Planning | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Total business units | 48 |
| East Asian Studies requirements | Units |
|---|
| EALC 110 | East Asian Humanities: The Great Tradition | 4 |
| EALC 340 | Japanese Civilization, or |
| EALC 345 | Korean Civilization, or |
| EALC 350 | Chinese Civilization | 4 |
| ECON 343 | Economic Development of East Asia | 4 |
| POSC 355 | Politics of East Asia | 4 |
| Concentration* | EASC | 4 |
| Concentration | IR 360 International Relations of the Pacific Rim | 4 |
| Total East Asian units | 24 |
| Total program units | 72 |
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (International Relations)
Global Management is a program consisting of courses offered by both the Marshall School of Business and the School of International Relations. Students successfully completing the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Relations. The program is available to freshmen admitted to the Freshman Honors Program.
Requirements for Completion
To successfully complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business as well as an additional 24 units in international relations from the courses listed below.
| business requirements | units |
|---|
| BUAD 250ab | Core Concepts of Accounting Information | 4-4 |
| BUAD 302 | Business Communication | 4 |
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| BUAD 306 | Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| BUAD 310 | Applied Business Statistics | 4 |
| BUAD 311 | Operations Management | 4 |
| BUAD 350 | Macroeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions, or |
| BUAD 351 | Economic Analysis for Business Decisions | 4 |
| BUAD 497 | Managerial Decision-Making and Planning | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Concentration | BUAD | 4 |
| Total business units | 48 |
| international relations requirements | units |
|---|
| IR 210 | International Relations: Introductory Analysis | 4 |
International Political Economy Courses (4 units)
| Choose one: |
| IR 324 | Multinational Enterprises and World Politics | |
| IR 325 | Rich and Poor States in the World Political Economy |
| IR 326 | U.S. Foreign Economic Policy |
| IR 330 | Politics of the World Economy |
International Relations Regional Courses (8 units)
| Choose two: |
| IR 333 | China in International Affairs |
| IR 345 | Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy |
| IR 360 | International Relations of the Pacific Rim |
| IR 361 | South and Southeast Asia in International Affairs |
| IR 362 | The International Relations of the Contemporary Middle East |
| IR 363 | Middle East Political Economy |
| IR 364 | International Relations of the Middle East: 1914-1950 |
| IR 365 | U.S. Responses to Revolutionary Change in Latin America and the Caribbean |
| IR 367 | Africa in International Affairs |
| IR 369 | Contemporary European International Relations |
| IR 383 | Third World Negotiations IR 385 |
| IR 385 | European Foreign Policy and Security Issues |
| IR 439 | Political Economy of Russia and Eurasia |
| IR 442 | Japanese Foreign Policy |
| IR 464 | U.S. Policy towards the Middle East: 1950 to the Present |
| IR 465 | Contemporary Issues in United States-Latin American Relations |
| IR 468 | European Integration |
International Relations Electives (8 units)
| Choose two: |
| Students may pick electives from any of the other categories as well. |
| IR 305 | Managing New Global Challenges |
| IR 306 | International Organizations |
| IR 315 | Ethnicity and Nationalism in World Politics |
| IR 316 | Gender and Global Issues |
| IR 323 | Politics of Global Environment |
| IR 341 | Foreign Policy Analysis |
| IR 344 | Developing Countries in World Politics |
| IR 381 | Introduction to International Security |
| IR 382 | Order and Disorder in Global Affairs |
| IR 402 | Theories of War |
| IR 405 | International Negotiation |
| IR 427 | Seminar on Economics and Security |
| IR 444 | Issues and Theories in Global Society |
| IR 483 | War and Diplomacy: The U.S. in World Affairs |
| MDA 310 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies |
| Total international relations units: | 24 |
| Total program units: | 72 |
Business Minor
A minor in business is available to students in all schools and departments at USC. This provides the opportunity for non-business majors to gain understanding of the basic concepts and tools of business. To enroll in the business minor, students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level courses and attained a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. Successful completion of the business minor requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the following courses:
| Minor course requirements | units |
|---|
| BUAD 200x* | Economic Foundations for Business | 2 |
| BUAD 215x | Foundations of Business Finance | 4 |
| BUAD 302 | Business Communication | 4 |
| BUAD 304 | Organizational Behavior | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| ACCT 410x | Accounting for Non-Business Majors | 4 |
Choose one of the following: |
| BUAD 403 | Legal Environment of Business | 4 |
| FBE 400x | Introduction to Real Estate Finance and Development | 4 |
Minor in Advertising
The School of Journalism and the Marshall School of Business offer a 24-unit advertising minor for students interested in building a career in or developing a better understanding of the field of advertising. Through this program of study, students explore the key role played by advertising in today's global economy. At no time has advertising been more successful or more controversial than it is today, and this program will explore both the positives and the negatives.
Emphasis is placed throughout the program on both the practical skills required to meet the demands of the marketplace and the theoretical underpinnings of those practices. Program content includes: the history of advertising; creation of written and visual advertising elements; the measurement, selection and analysis of media; the concept of "branding"; the role of advertising in creating and maintaining successful brands; the analysis of advertising campaign case studies; and the creation of integrated marketing communications campaigns. See the School of Journalism for course requirements.
Minor in Biotechnology
The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences departments of biological sciences and chemistry and the Marshall School of Business jointly offer the minor in biotechnology. This minor brings essential knowledge in the basic sciences together with the corporate skills needed in a rapidly growing industry. The minor is especially well suited for the business, biology, chemistry or engineering student seeking a career in business and/or the biomedical/bio-technical sciences. Refer to
Biological Sciences for a list of required courses.
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