Nov 22, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Pre-Master Business Administration


Pre-M.B.A.

Are you interested in a career in business? The Beacom School of Business develops current and future leaders for business, industry, and government while giving students the flexibility to elect courses to best enhance their career path. 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.

Any major can apply and be successful in the MBA program. As an undergraduate student, you may choose to take the pre-MBA courses so that you are awarded “advanced standing” and will only need to complete the 33 credit hours of advanced course work [M.B.A. (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis)]. An applicant who has not completed any business course work may be provisionally admitted to the M.B.A. program and will have an additional 18 credits of pre-M.B.A. course work (general M.B.A.). Applicants who have completed some of the foundations coursework, either at USD or as part of their undergraduate program, will have an individualized program of study outlining their remaining pre-MBA requirements and 33 credits of M.B.A. coursework required requirements for program completion.

Suggested Pre-M.B.A. Foundation Coursework:

This general M.B.A. does not require a specialization.

Optional specializations are available. See the following:

Pre-M.B.A. - 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.

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.  Students applying to the B.B.A. / M.B.A. program are not required to provide a GMAT exam score for application to the fast-track program if they meet all of the following criteria: cumulative GPA of 3.25, business GPA of 3.25 and major GPA of 3.25.  Applicants who do not meet the above criteria are required to provide a GMAT exam score, which will be evaluated along with all application materials in a manner consistent with applications to the M.B.A. program.

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 and may be eligible 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 apply to students in the B.B.A. / M.B.A. program.

Dr. Jewel Goodman Shepherd
Faculty Coordinator, Master of Business Administration Program
Beacom School of Business, 219
605.658.6548 Office
Jewel.Shepherd@usd.edu