About IBEAR

• What is the USC IBEAR MBA?
• What is the difference between the IBEAR MBA and most two-year MBA programs?
• What are the program's 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 an accelerated global MBA program for experienced professionals. It is delivered on USC campus in twelve months. 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 50 countries around the world. This type of accelerated, intensive program is unusual in the United States, but found more often in Europe. IBEAR has more than 30 years experience delivering this program.

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

All six 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 half of whom have families, in part because of 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). U.S. News currently ranks the Marshall two-year MBA program as #20. Business Week places the Marshall EMBA and MBA.PM programs in its Top 6. In addition to international business, US 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 early August and ends in mid July. Some participants are required or encouraged to arrive in June or July 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 score
- TOEFL score 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 (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 does not have a “final” application deadline. We are a “rolling admission” system. We review application forms as soon as an application file is complete, beginning in December. Thus, we recommend that you complete you application file before the end of April. However, we continue to review new application files until we are assured that our classroom of 54 is full.

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 if 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 email or phone.

What qualifications are considered in the admissions process?

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

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

International students are normally required to take the USC International Student English (ISE) exam on arrival, unless they submit a TOEFL result of 100 or more (IBT), 250 or more (CBT) or 600 or more (PBT). Depending on test scores (GMAT, TOEFL, ISE exam) IBEAR may recommend or require additional English work before or after the IBEAR MBA program begins. Please see www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/ALI/faq.html 

Do you require an interview?

Yes, an interview is required. It will be arranged by IBEAR staff after an applicant submits an application, transcripts and scores. Some interviews are conducted by alumni. Some staff interviews are completed in person and some by phone. 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 (2004-2010)

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

How much does the program cost?

Next year’s (2010-2011) tuition and Program Fee will be approximately $83,000

Do you offer scholarships and/or loans?

IBEAR awards a limited number of $20,000-$40,000 to high-potential applicants, both international and domestic. 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 International 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, very strong (significantly above average) test scores, and impressive 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 courses are required unless you qualify to waive one or more through our Course Waiver process. This process is open to all students, regardless of academic or professional experience.

1. GSBA 511 - Managerial Economics
2. GSBA 524 - Applied Managerial Statistics
3. GSBA 548 - Corporate Finance
4. GSBA 510 - Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting
5. GSBA 528 - Marketing Management
6. GSBA 518 - Accounting Control Systems

If you intend to waive out of any core courses, please fill out the "Declaration of Intent" form. Once we receive your declaration, you will then be contacted regarding our Challenge Exams. Declaration of Intent

Challenge Exams are comprehensive: They are equivalent to the course’s final exam and are graded by the professors for the course(s) in question. You will be required to pass the Challenge Exams for each course you wish to waive. Challenge Exams for Term 1 and 2 courses will be scheduled in early August. Should you pass the Challenge Exam and be granted permission to waive one or more courses, you will be able to replace these required units with additional Marshall elective course units at any time during your MBA program. This will provide you with additional flexibility throughout your education at Marshall. You will be guided through the Core Course Waiver process by Ivonne Castillo, our Assistant Director/Academic Advisor.

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. 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?

IIn 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.

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.