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 Graduate School of Business Administration.

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 Graduate School of Business Administration. 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, 540-551, 560-575 and 585 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 two optional tracks in this 30-unit program: information management or operations management. In the information management track the student would either emphasize information systems or data analysis and modeling.

This program has a special attraction for students with bachelor's degrees in business, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics or the natural sciences.

Major Studies (24 units)

Required coursesUnits
IOM 525Quality Improvement Methods3
IOM 570Applied Modeling and Optimization for Decision Support3
GSBA 590Directed Research6

Plus 12 units selected from one of the following three concentrations with consent of advisor:

Operations ManagementUnits
IOM 537Information Systems Management for Global Operations3
IOM 580Project Management3
IOM 581Production Planning and Materials Management3
IOM 582Management of Service Operations3
IOM 583Manufacturing Strategy3

Information Systems Units
IOM 531End-User Computing in Business3
IOM 533Information Systems Analysis3
IOM 535Database Management3
IOM 536Decision Support Systems 3
IOM 537Information Systems Management for Global Operations3
IOM 538Information Systems Strategy3
IOM 539Fast Response Management Systems3

Data Analysis and ModelingUnits
IOM 520Regression Models3
IOM 521Information Graphics3
IOM 522Applied Time Series Analysis for Forecasting3
IOM 523Research Methods for Business3
IOM 527Managerial Decision Analysis3
IOM 532Business Modeling and Simulation3

Elective Studies (six units)

Any two elective courses chosen by the student with the approval of the program coordinator in the Department of Information and Operations Management. General business courses will be encouraged.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Lydia Shabestari
lydia@stuaff.usc.edu