Topics Addressed in Frequently Asked Questions

AACSB

Anyone holding an M.B.A. is welcome to apply to the M.S.B.A. program at USC. Of course, applicants from programs not accredited by the AACSB are generally considered less well prepared than those from accredited institutions. The admissions committee will rely on the combination of GMAT test scores, work experience, resume, recommendations, and essays in making their decision. Also, they will review transcripts from all institutions attended to ensure that the applicant's academic preparation is equivalent to both a 4-year U.S. bachelor’s degree and a 2-year full-time M.B.A. so that the applicant is fully prepared to participate with and to compete with Marshall M.B.A. students in the classroom.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The length of time it takes to complete the program depends on how many classes the student takes each semester. Full-time students take 3 – 5 classes each semester, completing the program in two or three terms (e.g., fall, spring and summer or fall and spring). Working students take 1-2 classes each semester. Since the program requires 24 units (eight 3-unit classes) plus the independent study project, completing the program can take as long as 4½ years if the student takes only one class each fall and spring semester.

Tuition and Fees

Current USC tuition and fee information is available at http://www.usc.edu/soc. Select the next future semester and then the 'Tuition and Fees' tab on the left side of the screen. Tuition rates do increase each year. Because M.S.B.A. courses are scheduled in the same sessions as M.B.A. courses Marshall may assess an M.B.A. program fee of approximately $200 each semester. This fee is reversed in the accounts of each M.S.B.A. student on the last business day prior to the start of each semester.

Scholarships and Funding

The M.S.B.A. program is not funded to support scholarships dedicated specifically to M.S.B.A. students. Information about financial aid and fellowship opportunities is available at http://www.usc.edu/financialaid and http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool/current_fellowships.html

Application of M.B.A. coursework to the M.S.B.A. requirements

The M.S.B.A. degree is designed to provide those who already have completed an M.B.A. with an opportunity to expand their knowledge base in areas not covered during their M.B.A. studies. Applying old coursework to the degree would not contribute to achieving this goal. In other words, none of the courses taken to complete the M.B.A. can be applied toward the Master of Science in Business Administration.

Career Development and Placement Services

It is expected that M.S.B.A. students have received career development training as part of their M.B.A. program and will have access to career placement services as alumni of their M.B.A.institution. As a result, M.S.B.A. students are not provided with the same level of personalized career transition services afforded Marshall MBA students seeking internships and/or permanent employment post-graduation. M.S.B.A. students are welcome to take advantage of the readily accessible facilities of the Marshall graduate Career Resources Center (general information library, basic workshops, etc.), but the Center was created to serve the needs of the MBA population, so “readily accessible facilities” do not include personal coaching, training in prospective employer relationship development, interview scheduling, or employer advocacy.

Information for Students and Alumni from KAIST

Current students and recent (within the last three years) alumni of the KAIST Information and Media Management M.B.A., the Techno M.B.A. or the IMBA are eligible for admission to the M.S.B.A. program. Current students apply for admission during their final term at KAIST.

Admissions: Under a partnership agreement between KAIST and USC Marshall, Information and Media Management M.B.A., Techno M.B.A. and IMBA applicants are not required to have work experience or to submit GMAT or GRE test scores. One letter of recommendation from the KAIST screening committee is required. (The second recommendation is optional. If not included, make up a faux name and check the box indicating that the faux recommender will not be submitting the recommendation online.) Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or PTE scores) is required of all non-US citizens who did not graduate from an American, British, Canadian or Australian college or university. All other parts of the application are required.

Curriculum: KAIST Information and Media Management M.B.A. graduates are provided a special curriculum suited to their M.B.A. background. For a copy of that curriculum write to MSBA.Program@marshall.usc.edu. Students from KAIST are not exempt from course prerequisite requirements. Prerequisite waivers will be issued upon confirmation that coursework equivalent to the stated prerequisite(s) has been completed. KAIST students may apply to the M.S.B.A. up to 12 units of business-related non-Marshall coursework from other USC programs, subject to approval by the student’s faculty advisor.

USC Marshall School of Business

Master of Science in Business Administration