Program Overview
While several of our successful specialization graduates pursued the current five specialization programs, our industry partners are seeking graduates who aspire to leadership-focused positions to work in consulting or management advisory services areas. The Business Leadership Specialization will help those aspirants. Learn more at usd.edu/mba.
DELIVERY: On campus | Online
M.B.A./Business Leadership 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 [(non-thesis)]. Note: (thesis) is not available. An applicant who does not have a conferred baccalaureate degree in business will need to complete (non-thesis) with six credits of Essentials coursework and will have a 42-credit hour program of study (M.B.A./Business Leadership).
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.
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