In year two, students chart their own course of study, selecting a concentration in a specific business field or continuing to pursue a broad-based management education. USC M.B.A. students gain an understanding of the forces confronting business across the globe and are encouraged to take an active role in making a difference - to seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth and to empower others in the pursuit of shared goals.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (regardless of field or major) is required for admission to any degree program of the school.
Admission Procedures To ensure a place in a program and adequate time to receive an admission decision, it is important to send completed application materials well in advance of the term for which the applicant wishes to register. For the non-traditional student, if work is still in progress to complete a bachelor's degree, the applicant must state specifically what courses are in progress, what must be done to finish and the estimated date of completion. Admission is contingent upon official verification of the bachelor's degree.
The completed application must include the following: (1) the application (the current GSBA application form); (2) responses to required essay questions; (3) a $75 application fee for domestic applicants or an $90 application fee for international applicants; (4) one official transcript from the registrar of each college or university attended (undergraduate and postgraduate, if applicable) whether the degree was completed or not. If all college or postgraduate work has not been completed, transcripts must be sent again when work in progress is completed and the degree posted; (5) two letters of recommendation; these letters should relate to the student's academic and work performance; (6) history of full- and part-time work experience; (7) the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. Applicants for all programs are required to submit a score on the GMAT. (Scores should be from tests taken within the last five years.) Applications will not be reviewed without an official copy of the test. Test score reports are sent directly from the Educational Testing Service and should be received by the Graduate School of Business Administration four to five weeks after each test administration. Additional score reports can later be sent within two weeks upon written request and payment of a fee; and (8) all international students who did not graduate from an American, British, Canadian or Australian college or university must submit a recent TOEFL score. Test scores are sent by the Educational Testing Service to USC.
Interviews Applicants living in the U.S. are required to schedule an admissions interview with an admissions representative or a designated alumnus of the school. International applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange an interview on campus if visiting Los Angeles. If the interview is arranged on campus, the applicant may take the opportunity to visit classes and tour the school. Arrangements can be made by contacting the Admissions Office at (213) 740-7846, Bridge Hall, Room 101; (213) 749-8520 (FAX); or e-mail: USCMBA@SBA.usc.edu.
Application Deadlines: Fall Semester Entrance Admissions decisions for fall semester will be made on a rolling basis until the programs are closed. Applicants are urged to file a completed application as early as possible, since applications received early will be the first evaluated. Applications received late in the evaluation process may not receive a decision for the semester requested. Applicants for admission to the evening M.B.A. program must file a completed application no later than June 1. Applicants for admission to full-time programs must file a completed application no later than March 15.
Application Deadlines: Spring Semester Entrance Admissions decisions for spring semester will be made on a rolling basis until programs are closed. Only applications for the evening M.B.A. program are considered for spring admission. The application deadline for evening students is October 1. Applications received late in the evaluation process may not receive a decision for the semester requested.
Through an integrated curriculum, participants develop a complete understanding of decision-making, a focus on the future and the international context of business as well as strong interpersonal, leadership and analytical skills. More specifically, participants will achieve advanced skills in corporate and international finance, marketing, environmental and strategic analysis, information technology, organizational leadership, managerial communication and corporate relations.
Core faculty include the school's most senior, tenured members as well as nationally renowned academic and business specialists. The program includes an executive speaker series, a program for spouses and a required international residential program.
The program begins the last week of August with a six-day domestic residential session. Thereafter, the 21-month M.B.A. program meets on the University Park Campus on alternating Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year with a 10-week summer break. The eight-day international trip begins the second year of the program. This class schedule permits participants to maintain their professional responsibilities on a full-time basis.
Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited university and eight to 10 years of business experience that includes substantial managerial responsibilities. The Executive M.B.A. office is located in Hoffman Hall, Room 801-F, (213) 740-6410, (213) 740-9090 (FAX).
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995