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
https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/Business-Administration

FACULTY

Professors:

Michael Allgrunn, Ph.D., Michigan State University, Economics. 
David Carr, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder, Economics, Chair, Division of Economics and Decision Sciences. 
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, Chair, Division of Accounting and Finance. 
Bartlomiej Hanus, Ph.D., University of North Texas, Business Computer Information Systems.
Jewel Shepherd, Ph.D., Old Dominion University, Health Services Research.
Carole South-Winter, Ed.D., St. Cloud State University, Health Services Administration.
Thomas Tiahrt, Ph.D., University of South Dakota, Computational Science and Statistics.
Rand Wergin, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, Marketing, Chair, Division of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing, Chair, Division of Health Services Administration.

Assistant Professors:

Heather Anderson, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, Management-Organizational Behavior.
Tyler Custis, J.D., University of South Dakota, Business Law.
James Driver, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Finance.
Kathryn Enget, Ph.D., Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, Accounting.
Eric Kinnamon, Ph.D., University of Memphis, Management.
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.
Adrian Tippit, Ph.D., University of Texas at El Paso, Finance.  
Sebastian Wai, Ph.D., Purdue University, Economics.
Nicholas Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Lincoln, Accounting.
Sara Yang, M.B.A., Murray State University, Accounting. 

Assistant Professor of Practice:

Gregory Bertsch, Ph.D., University of South Dakota, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Erin Cornelsen, M.P.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Accounting.

Instructors:

Chad Birger, M.S., South Dakota State University, Decision Sciences and Statistics.
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.
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 - Accelerated

SPECIALIZATIONS

Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics  (NEW fall 2024)
Business Administration-General  
Business Analytics  
Business Leadership  
Finance  
Health Services Administration   
Marketing  
Operations and Supply Chain Management  
Sustainability   

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 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 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/grad/how-to-apply 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). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma i.e., India, Nepal, etc.). 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 a high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the approved list  of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants with degrees from other countries, 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, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose. (NOTE: No longer required beginning summer 2024) 

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Resume.
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.accelerated program applicants are required to submit only two letters of recommendation. (NOTE: No longer required beginning summer 2024) 

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. Accelerated 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 accelerated 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.

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 Adminstration - Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics

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. Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics specialization graduates will understand and apply artificial intelligence and cognitive technologies to business problems.    

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 an 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 specialization 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 - Leadership 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. Leadership Specialization graduates will demonstrate an understanding of personal skills necessary for effective communication and decision-making in maintaining leadership position. 

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. 
 

Student Learning Outcomes for Business Administration - Sustainability (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. Sustainability Specialization graduates will demonstrate the use of sustainability best practices for business development and growth.

Programs

• Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Business Analytics Specialization (M.B.A.)
• Business Administration - Business Leadership 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.)
• Business Administration - Sustainability Specialization (M.B.A.)