The Marshall School of Business offers four distinct Master of Business Administration programs. A full-time program is designed for the individual who can leave the world of work and commit themselves “full time” to two years of graduate education. For those who wish to continue their current jobs while attending school, the school offers the M.B.A. Program for Professionals and Managers (M.B.A.-P.M.), which leads to the M.B.A. after two-and-a-half to three years. An Executive M.B.A. program, now in its thirteenth year, provides those with significant work experience a chance to complete an M.B.A. on Fridays and Saturdays over a two-year period. For mid-career managers in international firms, the IBEAR M.B.A. program offers 12 months of intensive study focusing on Pacific Rim business issues.

While the four programs are aimed at different market segments, all programs have the same goals: providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective business leaders. A thorough understanding of business fundamentals such as economics, accounting, finance, marketing and operations is developed. Basic skills, such as use of information systems and statistical analysis, are refined. Each student is challenged to develop self-understanding and an appreciation for the complexities of organizations.

Degree Programs

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

The Marshall School of Business prepares men and women to become leaders at every level of management. Today’s successful businesses demand flexibility, innovation, creativity, teamwork, and leadership of their employees. The Marshall School’s goal is to help students meet those demands through a rigorous grounding in all functional areas of business and the honing of analytical and interpersonal skills required to address real business problems.

Full-Time M.B.A. Program

At the program’s beginning, each USC M.B.A. student undertakes comprehensive analysis of his or her personal leadership potential and learns to frame the responsibilities of leadership in terms of both the organization and the greater society. Over the first year’s course of study, a “hands-on” approach to business education combines case analysis, management simulations and executive seminars with traditional methods for establishing a conceptual understanding of the general management role.

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.

M.B.A.-P.M. Program

The M.B.A. Program for Professionals and Managers (M.B.A.-P.M.) allows fully employed individuals to pursue an M.B.A. degree while continuing their career development. Students can pursue their degrees at the University Park Campus or at the USC Orange County Center in Irvine. The curriculum, offered in the evening and on Saturday, resembles that offered to full-time M.B.A. students but is modified to allow completion of the program in 33 months.

M.B.A. International Exchange Program

The Marshall School of Business offers a range of international exchange programs with leading business schools around the world. Through our M.B.A. International Exchange Program, students may attend one of 25 partner institutions in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. Students may choose to spend a summer abroad or may enroll in a short (three-to-four week) summer program at a partner school. Since many of the programs are taught in English, language proficiency is not a requirement in all countries. M.B.A. students must complete their core classes in order to participate. The program entails no additional tuition; however, overseas travel and living expenses are incurred by the student.

Full-time and M.B.A.-P.M. Admission

In their review of applications, an appointed admissions committee takes into consideration all of the applicant’s completed academic work, the Graduate Management Admission Test score, evidence of leadership and motivation, letters of recommendation, level of job responsibility and work history, and unique talents and contributions. Applicants are reviewed on their potential for successful performance in graduate business studies and their competitiveness within the current applicant pool. 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 $90 application fee for domestic applicants or a $125 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 Marshall School of Business 10 days 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; FAX (213) 749-8520; or email: uscmba@sba.usc.edu.

Application Deadlines: Fall Semester Entrance Admission decisions for the full-time program are made within five admission rounds. Applicants who submit completed applications (including test scores) to the Admission Office by the December, January, February, March and April dates listed in the M.B.A. application packet will receive notification in approximately six weeks. Applicants are urged to file a completed application as early as possible, as the applicant pool is extremely competitive. The final deadline for the full-time program is April 15. Applicants for admission to the M.B.A.-P.M. program must file a completed application no later than June 2.

Application Deadlines: Spring Semester Entrance Admission decisions for the M.B.A.-P.M. program will be made on a rolling basis until the program is closed. The spring application deadline for the M.B.A.-P.M. program is October 1. Applications received later in the evaluation process may not receive a decision for the semester requested.

Executive M.B.A. Program

The Executive M.B.A. program is designed to allow working professionals to obtain an M.B.A. degree without interrupting their careers. Mid- to senior-level professionals who have high potential as business and industry leaders are encouraged to apply.

This program uses a non-traditional, interdisciplinary approach to executive and management education. There are no separate courses. Themes that integrate various functional areas are presented to address classic, yet dynamic business issues.

Through the 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, experienced 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; FAX (213) 740-9090, or email: uscemba@sba.usc.edu.

International Business Education and Research (IBEAR) M.B.A. Program

Jack G. Lewis, Ph.D., Director

The Marshall IBEAR M.B.A. is an intensive one-year, full-time program for early to mid-career managers who are pursuing international and Pacific Rim-related careers. It begins in mid-August and ends in late July each year and consists of a three-week orientation program and 19 courses organized in four 11-week terms. This is followed by four, 11-week terms during which 18 graduate courses are completed.

In addition to an internationalized set of core courses, the program includes courses on international management, international financial management, global marketing strategy, international trade, politics for global managers, global strategy and Pacific Rim business. It also includes a two-term international business consulting project, a cross-cultural team-building retreat, a visiting international expert speaker series and participation in USC’s annual Asia/Pacific Business Outlook Conference which is co-sponsored by IBEAR and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

IBEAR M.B.A. participants average 10 years of work experience and are 33 years of age. They normally range in age from 26 to 46 years old. As many as 15 countries are represented each year. Scholarships are available to both U.S. and foreign citizens.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of full-time work or military experience. The GMAT and TOEFL examinations are required. Enrollment is limited to 48 participants. Marshall IBEAR M.B.A. graduates join a network of 750 well-placed alumni in 43 nations. For more information, contact the Marshall IBEAR M.B.A. Program, Accounting 215, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1421, (213) 740-7140; FAX (213) 740-7559; or email: ibear@usc.edu.

Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBEAR)

The University of Southern California was selected in October 1990 by the U.S. Department of Education as one of its 25 national Centers for International Business Education and Research. Between 1990 and 1999, the Department of Education is providing approximately $3,200,000, which is matched by USC, to support 40 projects that are helping to internationalize teaching and research programs throughout the Marshall School of Business and USC. CIBEAR Director Richard Drobnick, Associate Director John Windler and USC faculty coordinate and direct the projects. Phone (213) 740-2852; FAX (213) 740-2858 or email: cibear@usc.edu.

Change of Degree Program

Students who are currently enrolled in one degree program who wish to change their degree status to another program must formally reapply through the Admission Office for graduate students. Details concerning individual student requirements may be obtained by contacting the Admission Office, Bridge Hall 101.

Change of Status

Continuing students who need to change from full-time enrollment to part-time, or from part-time to full-time status must notify the Graduate Registration and Advisement Office, Bridge Hall 103.

Continuous Enrollment/Leave of Absence/Withdrawal/Readmission

Once admitted to a graduate degree program, the student must enroll at USC each fall and spring semester each year until she or he has satisfactorily completed all degree requirements. M.B.A-P.M. students must enroll at USC each fall, spring and summer semester each year until they have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements. If for military, medical, religious or job-related reasons a student must skip a semester, the student must petition for a leave of absence. The petition should be submitted no later than the first day of class for the semester of the leave. Leave of absence forms are available by electronic mail, FAX or hard copy. Students must notify both the Marshall School of Business Registration and Graduate Advisement Office and the Office of Academic Records and Registrar of their withdrawal from the program. Contact the school’s Graduate Registration and Advisement office, BRI 103, (213) 740-5424, FAX (213) 740-8936 or email: sbareg@bus.usc.edu.

If granted, the period of leave is not counted in the time allowed for the completion of degree requirements, and the student is allowed to complete the degree requirements in effect when he or she was originally admitted.

Once a leave is approved, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from any classes for which the student has already enrolled. An approved leave may not exceed one academic year. A student whose leave exceeds one academic year or who fails to maintain continuous enrollment without obtaining an approved leave must, when ready to return to school, apply for readmission to the program. Applications for readmission are available by email, fax or hard copy. Contact SBA Graduate Registration and Advisement, BRI 103, sbareg@bus .usc.edu, phone (213) 740-5424, FAX (213) 740-8936.

Limited Status

The Marshall School of Business does not allow students to take classes on any conditional or special status basis prior to application and an official admission decision except under the following condition: students completing a Master of Business Administration program at another accredited university outside of the Los Angeles area may take up to 12 units in the Marshall School of Business to complete their degrees, provided that a letter from the associate dean at a student’s university states the classes which will be accepted for credit transfer back to the university granting the degree.

Dual Degree Programs

Applicants for the Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./M.B.A.) program should apply either simultaneously to both programs or during the first year in the Law School. Certification of eligibility for the dual degree program must be provided by the Law School prior to admission to the dual degree program by the Marshall School of Business. Applicants to the Pharm.D./M.B.A., the M.B.A./D.D.S., and the M.B.A./M.S. Nursing degrees should apply during the first year of pharmacy, dentistry and nursing respectively. Applicants to the M.B.A./Master of Planning, the M.B.A./Master of Real Estate Development, the M.B.A./M.S. in Gerontology, and the M.B.A./M.S. Industrial and Systems Engineering should apply to both respective schools simultaneously. Admission criteria for all dual degree applicants in the Marshall School of Business are the same as for those of the Master of Business Administration.

Retention of Files

Application files for enrolled students will be retained for five years after they leave the M.B.A. program.

Doctoral Program

Students who wish to apply for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program should consult the Graduate School section of this catalogue for applicable admissions information. Additionally, applicants should contact the doctoral office in the Marshall School of Business for specific admission procedures. The doctoral office is located in Hoffman Hall 700, (213) 740-0674, email: phdsba@bus.usc.edu.

Executive Development

The Office of Executive Development offers programs that are not part of the regular degree programs. The Executive Development Office is located in the Davidson Conference Center 107, (213) 740-8990; FAX (213) 749-3689 or email: karden@dcc.usc.edu.