Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with General Business 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 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 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./Non-Specialization-Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) 33 credit hours
Applicants who enter the program with a conferred baccalaureate degree in business will need to complete the 33 credit hours of advanced course work [Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis)]. 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.
M.B.A., Plan A (thesis): Total 33 credit hours
- Business Core 27 credit hours
- Thesis 6 credit hours
M.B.A., Plan B (non-thesis): Total 33 credit hours
- Business Core 27 credit hours
- Business-related supporting courses 6 credit hours or Business Essentials courses (required for those without a business undergraduate degree)
Note
With approval of the M.B.A. Program Coordinator, electives may be chosen from any courses offered for graduate credit by the University. Electives taken within the Beacom School of Business do not require approval. Students may not take a 500-level course as an elective if the student has completed the course at the 400-level.
Business Administration Core Coursework: 27 credit hours
Select one of the following for 6 credit hours (Business Essentials*, Thesis, or Electives**)
- Business Essentials courses 6 credit hours (required for those without a business undergraduate degree)
- Thesis 6 credit hours
- Business-related elective courses 6 credit hours **
* Essentials Coursework Required for students with non-business baccalaureates
** Elective courses may be used for required specialization coursework
General Application Requirements
- Completed application
- $35 application fee
- Official transcripts*
- Letters of recommendation*
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV*
*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog
Online Master of Business Administration Program:
An online, part-time M.B.A. program is offered to serve the needs of working professionals unable to take face-to-face courses. Online courses are scheduled so students can complete the program in as little as two years. The program is enhanced by an optional rich, five-day residency experience which takes place each fall in Sioux Falls, SD. The online program is comparable to the face-to-face program; admissions and graduation requirements are identical and courses in each modality are taught by the same graduate-level faculty.
Hybrid Master of Business Administration Program:
A part-time M.B.A. program is offered to students who wish to combine face-to-face courses, online courses, and hybrid courses. The part-time program can be completed in as little as two years. The part-time program is comparable to the face-to-face program; admissions and graduation requirements are identical, and courses in each modality are taught by the same graduate-level faculty.
Concurrent M.B.A./J.D.
It is possible to concurrently pursue an M.B.A. in the Beacom School of Business and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the USD School of Law. Nine credits of 700- level M.B.A. coursework may be counted toward the J.D. degree (if both degrees are pursued concurrently). Additionally, nine hours of law coursework may be counted toward the M.B.A. degree. For further information on this concurrent program, contact both the USD School of Law and the M.B.A. Program Coordinator.
Required Courses for Concurrent M.B.A./J.D. 33 credit hours
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 accelerated 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 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.
Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification
The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs
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
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