Business Administration Programs

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs: Jewel Shepherd, Ph.D.

Beacom School of Business
Master of Business Administration Program
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-658-6532 or 866-890-1MBA
mba@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/business/graduate

FACULTY

Professors:

Michael Allgrunn, Ph.D., Michigan State University, Economics. 
David Carr, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder, Economics.
De Vee Dykstra, J.D., University of South Dakota, Business Law, Division of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing. 
Srinivasan Ragothaman, Ph.D., University of Kansas, Accounting, Chair, Division of Accounting and Finance, Black Hills Corp. Distinguished Professor of Accounting. 
Daniel Tracy, Ph.D., Washington State University, Decision Sciences.

Associate Professors:

Chet Barney, Ph.D., New Mexico State University, Management-Organizational Behavior.
Klaus Beckmann, Ph.D., University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Business Administration, Finance.
Kathryn Birkeland, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Economics, Associate Dean.
Bartlomiej Hanus, Ph.D., University of North Texas, Business Computer Information Systems.
Gregory Huckabee, LL.M., George Washington University-Washington, D.C., Business Law.
Maria Lopez Leach, DBA, Mississippi State University, Accounting.
Carole South-Winter, Ed.D., St. Cloud State University, Health Services Administration.
Jewel Shepherd, Ph.D., Old Dominion University, Health Services Research.
Carole South-Winter, Ed.D., St. Cloud State University, Health Services Administration
Rand Wergin, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, Marketing.
Mark Yockey, Ph.D., Washington State University, Organizational Behavior, Chair, Division of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing, Chair, Division of Health Services Administration.

Assistant Professors:

Subash Adhikari, Ph.D., University of North Texas, Accounting.
Tyler Custis, J.D., University of South Dakota, Business Law.
Scott Jackson, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Accounting. 
Eric Kinnamon, Ph.D., University of Memphis, Management
Yanguang (Alice) Liu, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Finance.
Yi Liu, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, Supply Chain and Information Systems.
Paul Ordyna, Ph.D. Purdue University, Accounting.  
Elizabeth Manser-Payne, D.B.A., University of Wisconsin.  
Thomas Tiahrt, Ph.D., University of South Dakota, Computational Science and Statistics, Chair, Division of Economics and Decision Sciences.
Sebastian Wai, Ph.D., Purdue University, Economics.

Instructors:

Gregory Bertsch, Ph.D., University of South Dakota, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Erin Cornelsen, M.P.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Accounting.
Karen Davies, M.P.A., University of South Dakota, Accounting.
Matthew Heard, M.B.A., University of South Dakota, Health Services Administration.
Thomas Martin, M.S., Florida Institute of Technology, Decision Sciences.
Reed Muehler, M.B.A., University of South Dakota, Economics.
Emily Quinn, M.B.A., University of Sioux Falls, Marketing.
Mandie Weinandt, M.B.A., University of South Dakota, Decision Sciences.

DEGREE

 Master of Business Administration
 Master of Business Administration Fast-Track

SPECIALIZATIONS

Business Administration-General  
Business Analytics  
Finance  
Health Services Administration  
Marketing  
Operations and Supply Chain Management  

Program Description

The Master of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB International). The purpose of the program is to develop current and future executive leadership for business, industry, and government. The program emphasizes decision making, problem solving, understanding the role of business in society, developing leadership ability and social responsibility, analytical and critical thinking skills, and preparing students for executive-level responsibility.

The program is offered in as little as a twelve-month, full-time, face-to-face program on the Vermillion campus. Students may also complete the program on a part-time, hybrid basis by combining face-to-face courses with online courses. The hybrid program allows students to “mix and match” face-to-face Vermillion or Sioux Falls classes with online classes for added flexibility. The program is also offered entirely online to meet the needs of those unable to participate in face-to-face courses. Online courses are scheduled so students can complete the program in as little as two years (after completing foundation courses, their undergraduate equivalents, or challenge exams). The online program is enhanced by a rich, five-day residency experience which takes place each spring and summer in Sioux Falls, SD. Students may select the semester in which they complete the residency portion of the program. The full-time, hybrid, and online programs have identical admissions and graduation requirements. Courses in each modality are taught by the same graduate-level faculty.

WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (M.B.A.)

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Each applicant must have a baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree (minimum GPA of 2.7 and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale). Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 53 on the PTE is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and resume.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. NEW - **beginning summer 2023, the GMAT is no longer required.**The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is required only for applicants who do not have a conferred degree from a U.S. college or university. There is no minimum score required as the scores are considered along with the other application materials. Applicants may qualify for a waiver of the GMAT requirement under the conditions listed below. Applicants can initiate the GMAT waiver by contacting a graduate enrollment coordinator in Graduate Admissions or graduate advisor in the Beacom School of Business. B.B.A./M.B.A.fast-track program applicants are not required to provide GMAT scores. 
7. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. At least one (1) of these references must be professional in nature (e.g., a supervisor) and all references should be familiar with the applicant’s strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic. B.B.A./M.B.A.fast-track program applicants are required to submit only two letters of recommendation.

Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline

• Three weeks before the start of the semester
  • Fall, Spring, and Summer starts

B.B.A. / M.B.A. Fast-Track Option

Beacom School of Business undergraduate majors meeting requirements for entry into the M.B.A. program may opt to complete both the B.B.A. and M.B.A. concurrently. Students who pursue this fast-track option will be awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously, upon completion of the two programs. Permission to be awarded the undergraduate degree prior to the completion of the graduate degree is available. 

Students may apply for admission to the M.B.A. program using the standard graduate application process after completing 75 credit hours. Applicants for the B.B.A./M.B.A. program are required to submit only two letters of recommendation. 

The fast-track option will confer special student status to those admitted, who will then be eligible to take 700-level courses in the graduate program of study upon completion of 90 undergraduate credits and apply for graduate assistantships. Students must complete the requirements of the B.B.A. program in accordance with the undergraduate catalog and the requirements for the M.B.A. program in accordance with the graduate catalog. All prerequisites for courses in the M.B.A. program will still apply to students in the B.B.A./M.B.A. program.

Beacom School of Business GMAT Waiver (NEW - **beginning summer 2023, the GMAT is no longer required.**)

Applicants applying to the Beacom School of Business graduate programs who require the GMAT (see admission requirements) may be eligible for a GMAT waiver if they qualify under one of the following categories. A GMAT wavier does not imply admission to a Beacom graduate program.

GMAT Waiver for Students from AACSB Accredited Institutions:

1.) Students must have graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an AACSB Accredited Business School within the previous 12 semesters to be eligible for a GMAT waiver. The 12-semester timeline is from the time of graduating with the undergraduate or graduate degree to the first semester enrolled in courses as a degree seeking graduate student at USD and includes spring, summer, and fall semesters.
AND
2.) Students must meet undergraduate/graduate GPA requirements to be eligible for a GMAT waiver.
     A.) Cumulative of at least 3.25 for undergraduate (or graduate, if applicable)
     AND
     B.) Major GPA of at least 3.25 for undergraduate students or Program of Study GPA of at least 3.25 for those holding graduate degrees (student must provide major courses).

GMAT Waiver for Students with Conferred Non-U.S. Degrees in Business (NEW summer 2023)

1.) Students with an earned (undergraduate or graduate) non-U.S. degree in business from an accredited institution.

GMAT Waiver for Students with STEM Degrees (for M.S. in Business Analytics ONLY):  

1.) Students must have earned a STEM undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution by the time they begin the M.S. in Business Analytics program;   
AND  
2.) Students must meet undergraduate/graduate GPA requirements.   
    A.) Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 for undergraduate (or graduate if applicable);   
    OR  
    B.) Major GPA of at least 3.0 for undergraduate students or program of study GPA of at least 3.0 for those holding graduate degrees. (Students must provide major courses.)  

GMAT Waiver for Students who have taken the LSAT or MCAT:

1.) Students must provide an official copy of their LSAT or MCAT score.
    AND
    A.) Students with an overall scaled LSAT Score in the 50th percentile are eligible for a GMAT waiver.
    OR   
    B.) Students with an overall MCAT Score in the 49th percentile and a Critical Analysis and Reasoning Score in at least the 37th percentile are eligible for a GMAT waiver.

GMAT Waiver for Students who have taken the GRE (for MBA and MPA ONLY):

1.) Students must provide an official copy of their GRE score.
AND
2.) Students who meet the following GRE score requirements are eligible for a GMAT waiver.
     A.) A verbal score in at least the 45th percentile AND
     B.) A quantitative score in at least the 45th percentile AND
     C.) A combined score (verbal plus quantitative) of at least 306.

GMAT Waiver for Students with an Earned Doctoral Degree or Pursuing a JD or MD at USD

1.) Applicants to Beacom Graduate Programs with an earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution are eligible for a GMAT waiver.
OR
2.) Applicants to Beacom Graduate Programs currently admitted to the USD School of Law pursuing a JD or the USD School of Medicine pursuing an MD or MD/PhD are eligible for a GMAT waiver.

*All percentiles are based on the GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT exams’ most recent published percentile rankings.

GMAT Waiver for Students who have professional licensure/certification: 

Students must be or have been certified or chartered with a professional licensure/certification, subject to program approval. Examples may include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Analytics Professional (CAP). Applicants must provide justification and proof of licensure/certification. 

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships in the Beacom School of Business are awarded each year on a competitive basis to students meeting the following requirements: full-time or a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours, admitted into the program as “full” status (not provisional status), and classified as an on-campus MPA, MBA, or MS student. student. Applications for graduate assistantships in the Beacom School of Business are due on April 1.

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.    
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.  

GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Business Analytics Specialization (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.   
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.   

GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business.   

GOAL #5: Graduates seeking specialized MBA degrees will demonstrate competency in their proposed specialization.  

1. Business Analytics Specialization graduates will demonstrate and understanding of data visualization, predictive forecasting, decision analysis, and optimization modeling. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Finance Specialization (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.    
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.    

GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business.   

GOAL #5: Graduates seeking specialized MBA degrees will demonstrate competency in their proposed specialization. 

Objectives:

1. Finance Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of finance concepts and the use of best practices in finance.

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Health Services Administration Specialization (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.   
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.    

GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business.   

GOAL #5: Graduates seeking specialized MBA degrees will demonstrate competency in their proposed specialization.  

1. Health Services Administration Specialization graduates will be able to identify common industry problems and provide solutions based on health services administration best practices. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Marketing Specialization (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

 GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.    
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.  

 GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

 GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business.   

 GOAL #5: Graduates seeking specialized MBA degrees will demonstrate competency in their proposed specialization.  

1. Marketing Specialization graduates will demonstrate the use of marketing’s best practices and solve marketing problems. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Operations and Supply Chain Management Specialization (M.B.A.)

GOAL #1: Our graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the basic business disciplines and strategic integration in business in a global environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in business disciplines.  
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of strategic integration in a global environment.  

GOAL #2: Our graduates will employ analytical and critical thinking skills to make business decisions in a dynamic environment.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will employ analytical skills to perform systematic business analysis, identify problems, and suggest solutions.  
2. Graduates will employ critical thinking skills to analyze/identify the impact of the business environment on business decisions.  

GOAL #3:  Our graduates will communicate effectively and professionally.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate strong oral presentation skills.    
2. Graduates will be able to create professional quality business documents.  

GOAL #4:  Our graduates will recognize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  

Objectives:   

1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles in identifying and resolving business dilemmas.    
2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility in business.   

GOAL #5: Graduates seeking specialized MBA degrees will demonstrate competency in their proposed specialization.  

1. Operations and Supply Chain Management Specialization graduates will demonstrate an understanding of material/order acquisition, production/process flow, distribution, and reverse logistics in a supply chain context. 

Programs

• Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Business Analytics Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Finance Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Health Services Administration Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Marketing Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Operations and Supply Chain Management Specialization (M.B.A.)