About IBEAR

• What is the USC IBEAR MBA?
• What is the difference between the IBEAR MBA and most two-year MBA programs?
• What about the rankings?
• When does the IBEAR MBA start and end?

Admissions

• What are the minimum requirements to apply to the IBEAR MBA Program?
• What are the average GMAT and TOEFL scores of participants?
• How may I apply?
• When is the application deadline?
• How long does it take for an admissions decision?
• What qualifications are considered in the admissions process?
• Do you require an interview?
• Does my undergraduate degree or work experience need to be in business?
• What is this year’s IBEAR Profile?

Costs & Financial Aid

• How much does the program cost?
• Do you offer scholarships and/or loans?
• How may I obtain a scholarship?
• How may I obtain USC financial aid?

Course Waivers

• How about course waivers and electives?

After IBEAR

• What kind of career services do you provide?
• Are there options for further study after completing the MBA?

What is the USC IBEAR MBA?

The IBEAR MBA is a one-year, accelerated global MBA program for experienced professionals with a global focus. It is delivered on USC campus in twelve months and awards the Marshall MBA degree. Participants complete 19 courses in five eight-week terms from early August until mid July.

IBEAR was established in 1978 and now has over 1500 graduates in more than 60 countries around the world. This type of accelerated, intensive program is unusual in the United States, but found more often in Europe. IBEAR is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2012.

What is the difference between the IBEAR MBA and most two-year MBA programs?

All five of our MBA programs award the same Marshall MBA degree. IBEAR participants are approximately 5 years older on average than the students in top ranked two-year MBA programs. Thus, many IBEAR participants seek to re-enter the job market at a more senior level than the average two-year MBA.

Approximately 25 percent of IBEAR participants are U.S. nationals, whereas two-year MBA programs often consist of 70-80 percent U.S. nationals. IBEAR’s accelerated design is attractive to IBEAR’s older participants, about one-third of whom have families, in part because of lower opportunity cost and living cost savings.

Two-year programs normally emphasize a functional or thematic concentration in the second year. The IBEAR program is largely “lock-step” like EMBA programs. Participants study together in the same classroom throughout the year. IBEAR faculty tends to have significant international experience and substantive expertise. They use more international cases than other faculty.

The IBEAR accelerated structure allows fewer electives than most two-year programs. IBEAR participants may take up to three electives with other MBA students to strengthen a concentration. IBEAR aims to produce globally sophisticated functional or general managers/entrepreneurs.

What about the rankings?

Both U.S. News and the Financial Times rank Marshall in their Top 10 for international business. The USC Marshall School of Business moved into 10th place among nationally ranked U.S. business schools in a survey of corporate recruiters conducted by The Wall Street Journal (2005). A recent ranking by Poets and Quants places IBEAR as the 4th best in the country. U.S. News currently ranks the Marshall two-year MBA program as #21. Business Week places the Marshall EMBA and MBA.PM programs in its Top 5. In addition to international business, U.S. News ranks Marshall's accounting, entrepreneurship, EMBA and evening MBA in its Top 10 amongst U.S. business schools.

When does the IBEAR MBA start and end?

It begins in late July and ends in mid July. Some participants are required or encouraged to arrive in June to take additional English at USC’s Language Academy.

What are the minimum requirements to apply to the IBEAR MBA Program?

• 6 years of experience (business, non-profit, government, military, post-graduate education)
• GMAT or GRE score
• TOEFL, IELTS or PT Academic score
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university

What are the average GMAT and TOEFL scores of participants?

IBEAR’s GMAT average is normally 620 plus or minus 5 points. Applicants should score 570 or higher. IBEAR’s GMAT average reflects the older average age of participants (33 or 34) and the fact that many participants speak English as a second language (75% of participants are foreign nationals).

IBEAR’s TOEFL average normally approximates 100 IBT, 250 CBT, OR 600 PBT. Some participants are required to arrive early for additional English study, based on their scores and their background.

As IBEAR is a mid-career program for professionals, we consider educational and professional background very important in admission decisions.

How may I apply?

Applicants must apply directly on-line at http://www.marshall.usc.edu/admissions/applyonline/

When is the application deadline?

IBEAR uses a rolling admissions process. Applications are encouraged and evaluated until a class of individuals with distinguished academic credentials and professional experience is formed. Applicants are encouraged to open their application file as early as possible (e.g., January or earlier) by completing the on-line application form and submitting transcripts.

We start evaluating and admitting applications in November, 2012. We urge applicants to use a target date of March 15, 2013, as the class starts to get full by this date. In the past, we have had a few excellent participants admitted beyond this date so we still encourage you to submit your application even after this date, but as soon as possible.

You should not wait for your test results before applying. International applicants should apply particularly early because of time-consuming visa procedures.

How long does it take for an admissions decision?

Files are reviewed as soon as they are complete, beginning in November. After you have completed your application file and interview, it will take us approximately two weeks to decide. If you are a foreign national it may take somewhat longer for an official USC decision because your file must also be reviewed by USC International Admissions. Admitted applicants are informed immediately by phone or email.

What qualifications are considered in the admissions process?

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university, a GMAT or GRE score, a TOEFL, IELTS score, or PTE Academic score (required for most foreign nationals) and at least six years of full-time work experience after college graduation. IBEAR staff or alumni will interview potential candidates.

Admission decisions are based upon the quality and length of the applicant's work experience, as well as the experience and quality of the applicant’s educational background, test scores, interviews, application essays, and recommendations.

International students are required to take the USC International Student English (ISE) exam on arrival at USC, unless they submit either a TOEFL score of 90 or more (IBT) with no less than 20 on each section, or an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6 on each band score. Depending on the test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS), IBEAR may recommend or require additional English work before or after the IBEAR MBA program begins. Please see http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali/ise/.

Do you require an interview?

Yes, an interview is required. It will be arranged by IBEAR staff upon completion of the application file. Interviews will be conducted by staff or alumni either in person or through Skype. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit USC, see our beautiful campus, sit in class, and meet IBEAR participants.

Does my undergraduate degree or work experience need to be in business? 

No. IBEAR admits individuals from a broad spectrum of academic and work experience backgrounds.

What is this year’s IBEAR Profile?              

Countries (2005-2013)

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, El Salvador, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, Macao, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela.

How much does the program cost?

Next year’s (2013-2014) tuition and Program Fee will be approximately $92,500.

Do you offer scholarships and/or loans?

IBEAR awards 15-20 merit scholarships, ranging from $20,000 to FULL tuition cost, to very high-potential applicants, both international and domestic. The amount awarded is contingent on the qualifications of the applicant. Self-sponsored applicants are eligible.

In addition, a Hanjin/Korean Air Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a high-potential Korean or Korean-American applicant as a result of a donation from the Hanjin Group of Korea. Applicants with experience in global supply chain and logistics may also be considered for this award.

The Honjo Foundation (Japan) sponsors a Honjo Foundation/Jack G. Lewis Scholarship for a Japanese participant.

Federal and private loans are available to many US citizens and permanent residents. Please visit USC’s financial aid website at http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/.

How may I obtain a scholarship?

Scholarship decisions are based on academic and leadership potential. Scholarship recipients normally evidence very strong (significantly above average) academic performance, test scores, and career backgrounds. They are expected to be leaders in the IBEAR program. You may indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for a scholarship.

How may I obtain USC financial aid?

U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for financial assistance from USC's Financial Aid Office. They may be contacted at (213) 740-1111 or through their website at http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/. 

How about course waivers and electives?

The following core courses may be waived by taking a waiver challenge exam in August.

• GSBA 511 - Managerial Economics
• GSBA 510 - Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting
• GSBA 518 - Accounting Control Systems
• GSBA 524 - Applied Managerial Statistics
• GSBA 528 - Marketing Management
• GSBA 548 - Corporate Finance
• GSBA 549 - The Firm in the National and International Economy

Waiver exams are similar to a final exam in these courses. A waived course must be replaced by a Marshall elective in the same semester in which a waived course is offered. IBEAR MBA participants must complete 56 units to receive the Marshall MBA degree.

IBEAR participants may also replace three optional courses offered by the IBEAR program with Marshall elective courses offered to all MBA students. Two replacement electives may be taken in Spring Semester. One may be taken in Summer Term.

What kind of career services do you provide?

The Marshall School's Career Resource Center (CRC) provides support to all Marshall MBA students, including IBEAR self-sponsored participants. We are in the process of hiring a career development officer at CRC who will be responsible primarily in guiding IBEAR participants in their career plans. The CRC provides career management training workshops, career advising, employer sponsored events, an extensive career resource library, a published resume book and electronic referral system, job postings, mock interviews, and on-campus recruiting.

IBEAR provides additional support, including e-mail mailings to IBEAR business friends, posting IBEAR participants' resumes on the IBEAR website, and providing access to the worldwide IBEAR alumni network. IBEAR also invites alumni and others to campus to talk about job search success factors.

Are there options for further study after completing the MBA?

In addition to Optional Practical Training (OPT), qualified participants may apply to the following one-year programs:

Master of Science in Business Administration MSBA

The MSBA is designed to provide those who have successfully completed an MBA with an opportunity to pursue further study in an area of specialization, such as Accounting, Finance, Information and Operations Management, Marketing, Management and Organization, and Entrepreneurship.

Master of Laws LLM

The LLM program at USC Law School is a one-year master's degree program for students trained in law outside of the U.S.

Contact Us

IBEAR MBA Program
USC Marshall School of Business
Popovich Hall, Room 310
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2632
Phone: 213-740-7140 Fax: 213-740-7559
E-mail: ibearmba@marshall.usc.edu
www.marshall.usc.edu/ibear