Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) 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 M.B.A. 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 (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 [(thesis) or (non-thesis)]. Note: (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 (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).
Business Administration Core Coursework: 27 credit hours
Select one of the following for 6 credit hours (Business Essentials* or Electives**)
- Business Essentials courses 6 credit hours (required for those without a business undergraduate degree)
- 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
M.B.A./Finance Specialization: 9 credit hours
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
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 both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree. The undergraduate degree will be awarded first, upon completion of all undergraduate degree requirements and the graduate degree will be awarded second, upon completion of all graduate degree requirements.
Students may apply for admission to the M.B.A. program using the standard graduate application process after completing 75 credit hours.
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 apply to students in the B.B.A./M.B.A. program.
Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs
This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.
USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.
Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.
Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.
For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.
