UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MSBA)
The Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) is designed to provide
students with an opportunity to pursue an area of specialization subsequent to
successfully completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The program is
tailored to the specific requirement of each student and is especially valuable for
graduates who are employed and desired additional knowledge in a given field.
Areas of specialization include: Accounting; Business Entrepreneurship; Finance and
Business Economics; Information and Operations Managements; Management and
Organization; and Marketing. A minimum of 26 graduate units is required for completion
of the MSBA degree. No more than two courses or eight units may be taken in graduate
work outside of the Marshall School of Business.
Once accepted to the program, the applicant must file in writing an official program of
study with the Marshall School of Business. Because the Master of Science degree
program leads to greater specialization, a minimum of two units of the GBSA 590
Directed Research must be included in the proposed program that covers a definitive area
of study culminating in a research report in the area if specialization. The research will be
under the direction of an individual faculty member from the department in which the
area of specialization is taken. GBSA 520-533 or 540-551 courses may not be used as
credit toward the Master of Science in Business Administration.
Instructions to IBEAR MBA Participants for Application to the MSBA Program
Please note the following when completing the application:
1. Use the Marshall MBA application form to apply. Submit the application to Jack
Lewis – Director, IBEAR MBA Program.
2. A minimum graduate GPA of 3.3 is required to be admitted.
3. MSBA applicants should complete ONLY the following essay questions:
How will the Marshall MSBA assist you in achieving your professional
development goals? What will you study? (Maximum 1 page, single-spaced)
Decisions will be based on academic performance during Terms 1-4 in the IBEAR MBA
program.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE MSBA PROGRAM SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR, IVONNE CASTILLO,
AT: IVONNE.CASTILLO@MARSHALL.USC.EDU.