Business Administration (M.B.A.)
33-51 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED
Applicants who enter the program with all 500-level foundation course work or the equivalent completed (18 credit hours) will be given “advanced standing” and will only need to complete the 33 credit hours of advanced course work [M.B.A., Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis)]. Therefore, an applicant who has not completed any business coursework will have a 51-credit hour program of study. Applicants who have completed some of the foundations course work, either at USD or as part of their undergraduate program, will have an individualized program of study that falls within the 33 to 51 credit range.
M.B.A., Foundation Courses: 18 credit hours
M.B.A., Plan A (thesis): Total 33 credit hours
- Business Core 27 credit hours or HSAD Core 30 credit hours
- Thesis 6 credit hours; 3 credit hours for HSAD Specialization
M.B.A., Plan B (non–thesis): Total 33 credit hours
- Business Core 27 credit hours or HSAD Core 30 credit hours
- Business-related supporting courses 6 credit hours; 3 credit hours for HSAD Specialization
Note
- All students take a core of 27 credit hours which addresses the business enterprise and how it functions. These core courses are open only to M.B.A. and M.P.A. candidates. With approval of the M.B.A. director, the electives may be chosen from any courses offered for graduate credit by The University.
Business Administration core course work: 27 credit hours
M.B.A./Health Services Administration Specialization
The M.B.A./H.S.A.D. (Health Services Administration) specialization combines management education with health services administration to prepare students for careers in health care management.
M.B.A. with H.S.A.D. specialization core course work: 30 credit hours
Or
Online Master of Business Administration Program:
An online part-time M.B.A. Program is offered to serve the needs of students employed during the day who live throughout the state as well as worldwide. The online courses are offered so that students can complete the program in as little as two years(after completing foundation courses or their equivalents), and the program is enhanced by a rich, five-day residency experience which takes place each May in either Sioux Falls, SD or Rapid City, SD. Students have flexibility with respect to when they complete the residency portion of the program. The online program and the full-time day program are comparable, entrance and graduation requirements are identical and the graduate faculty teach the courses.
Cohort Express Master of Business Administration Program:
A part-time M.B.A. Program is offered on an accelerated face-to-face basis, one night a week in Sioux Falls to meet the needs of students employed during the day. Classes meet for seven consecutive weeks for each course and the entire program can be completed in as little as two years (after completing foundations courses or their equivalents). The Cohort Express M.B.A. program and the full-time day program are comparable, entrance and graduation requirements are identical and the graduate faculty teach the courses.
Joint M.B.A. with Juris Doctor
It is possible to concurrently pursue an M.B.A. in the School of Business and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in The University of South Dakota School of Law. Nine credits of 700- level M.B.A. course work may be counted toward the J.D. degree (if both degrees are completed at the same time) and nine hours of law may be counted toward the M.B.A. degree. For further information on this joint program, contact either the Assistant Dean of the Law School or the M.B.A. program director.