Curriculum

At USC Marshall, we are constantly refreshing our MBA degree program to reflect the changing needs of our students as well as the increasing complexity of the global business arena. The 2010-2011 school year marked the introduction of a new Full-Time MBA first-year (Core) curriculum that acknowledges the extraordinary diversity of our students’ backgrounds, interests and aspirations.

The new Core offers myriad opportunities to personalize your FTMBA experience while ensuring the discipline-based depth required for success in today’s business world.

Time-intensive, rigorous program

The two-year Marshall Full-Time MBA program involves a full-time commitment. Our program is time-intensive and academically rigorous, as well as professionally and socially active. You must be prepared to devote your full energies to coursework, your career search and collaborative projects with fellow students.

The FTMBA curriculum expands your first-semester Core course options while providing a solid grounding in both functional and foundational business areas. In your last three semesters, you will continue to refine your knowledge and abilities in areas specifically related to your future career. Courses of instruction can be found here. MBA classes are numbered 500 and higher.

Hands-on classroom environment

The primary emphasis is on case discussions, student presentations and team projects, rather than faculty lectures. You will participate in a fast-paced, interactive classroom environment that includes management simulations, case competitions, field research and the application of new technologies to solve business problems.

Powerful end results

You will develop solid analytical abilities as well as collaborative and team-building skills, and become aware of the value of social responsibility as a factor in decision-making. You will acquire an understanding of the global marketplace and how it is affected by cultural differences.

The PRIME advantage

PRIME: Pacific Rim International Management Education is a key component of the Marshall MBA experience — intended to broaden your understanding of the economic, institutional and cultural issues that relate to overseas business, markets, policies and trade. PRIME is now part of a comprehensive first-year Core program in the spring semester that includes coursework in global strategy and global economics.

The PRIME program culminates with a 10-day working trip to a leading international city, during which you and your peers will visit selected domestic and multinational companies and government institutions, to observe global operations and make a presentation to senior managers.