Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Business Administration - Finance Specialization (M.B.A.)


Admissions Information     

Student Learning Outcomes  

36-42 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED

Program Overview


The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Finance specialization is designed to develop current and future leaders for business, industry and government while giving students the flexibility to select courses to best enhance their career path. The program focuses on theories and practices on issues related to investing, raising capital and managing risks. In addition to the core MBA courses which prepare you for leadership in any business role, you will also learn to analyze financial statements and build complex financial models for forecasting operating and financial performance, credit evaluation and asset valuation. Financial management of a multinational firm will be studied, with an emphasis on exchange rate risk management and financial structures. You will also examine equity and debt markets, portfolio management, international investing and asset allocation as well as the use of technology in finance. In addition to the general business acumen, students will gain the ability to analyze finance related issues for corporations and strengthen their finance decision making processes. The Beacom School of Business is the region’s leader in business education offering quality programs that are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International since 1949. Learn more at usd.edu/mba.

DELIVERY: On campus | Online

M.B.A./Finance Specialization-Plan B (non-thesis) 36-42 credit hours


Applicants who enter the program with a conferred baccalaureate degree in business will need to complete the 36 credit hours of advanced course work [Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis)]. Note: Plan A (thesis) also available. Six credit hours of thesis are required in lieu of elective courses. An applicant who does not have a conferred baccalaureate degree in business will need to complete Plan B (non-thesis) with six credits of Essentials coursework replacing the electives and will have a 42-credit hour program of study (M.B.A./Finance).

Select one of the following for 6 credit hours (Business Essentials* or Electives**)


*  Essentials Coursework Required for students with non-business baccalaureates
** Elective courses may be used for required specialization coursework

Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Admission test scores*
  6. Statement of purpose
  7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

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. 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 the following criteria: cumulative 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 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 apply to students in the B.B.A./M.B.A. program.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live


If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?


Beacom School of Business
605-677-5455 | business@usd.edu | usd.edu/business

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad