Apr 25, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Business Administration, M.B.A.


Department: Dean’s Office

Concentrations:

  • Blue Economy*
  • Compliance, Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering*
  • Cyber Security*
  • Data Analytics*
  • Finance
  • Healthcare Analytics*
  • Sport Business** 

*This concentration is currently only available online
**Sport Business is not available to start in Sprin
g

Also offered as a Concurrent Degrees  

This Major shares core requirements with the Executive, M.B.A.  

 

The online MBA is a self-supporting program.  Information on tuition and fees can be found here.

Please note: With the exception of the Department of Children and Family (DCF) waivers, all other waivers (including State of Florida and USF employee) are not accepted for Self-Funded/Self-Supporting or Market Rate Tuition program courses. For additional information, visit: USF Tuition Waiver.

 

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is a professional degree designed to prepare graduates for managerial and/or leadership roles in organizations. Graduates will develop the necessary skills and problem‐solving techniques that will permit them to make an early contribution to management and eventually to move into broad, general management responsibilities at the executive level.

Accreditation:
Accredited by the AACSB International. (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

Major Research Areas:
Contact coordinator for department

Admission Information

The USF MBA Admission Committee uses a portfolio approach and the strength of each applicant is determined based on the entire application.  Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

  • Valid GMAT or GRE score*
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume
  • Three reference letters (at least one must be a professional reference)
  • At the discretion of the Admission Committee, candidates may be asked to participate in an admission interview.

*A waiver of the GMAT/GRE requirement may be requested when a candidate meets one or more of the following criteria:

  • 3.50 cumulative undergraduate GPA from either USF, a Preeminent University in Florida, or an AAU institution or
  • Minimum 3 years professional or managerial work experience or
  • Active professional license or certification of significant merit.

At the discretion of the Admission Committee, conditional admission may be offered to candidates who display a high capability to succeed in the MBA, but do not meet one or more admissions standards.

Curriculum Requirements


The full-time student will need at least three semesters and a part-time student can complete all work within a reasonable time—approximately three years. Part time students are encouraged to take two courses per semester and must complete 6 hours per calendar year to remain on active status as a degree-seeking student.  Students entering the major are expected to have sufficient competency in mathematics (College Algebra), communication skills (written and verbal), basic computer skills, high-speed internet access, and a business foundation.

Total Minimum hours - 33 credit hours*

Students entering with a bachelor’s in business from an accredited institution complete a minimum of 33 hours:

  • Shared Core Requirements – 15 Credit Hours
  • Concentration or Electives/Individualized Area of Emphasis– 15 credit hours
  • Comprehensive Exam/Capstone Course - 3 Credit Hours

*Students entering without a bachelor’s in business from an accredited institution complete a minimum of 49 hours:

  • Business Foundation Courses– 16 credit hours
  • Shared Core Requirements - 15 Credit Hours
  • Concentration or Electives/Individualized Area of Emphasis – 15 credit hours
  • Comprehensive Exam/Capstone Course - 3 Credit Hours

Business Foundation (16 Credit Hours)


Students are expected to have a common body of business knowledge as demonstrated with a four-year undergraduate degree in business from an accredited program or completion of business foundation courses, either of them taken within the last 7 years, with a minimum letter grade of B-. Students needing to fulfill this requirement may either complete foundation coursework before applying to the MBA degree program or complete them as part of the curriculum requirements. NOTE: Foundation courses may not be counted as electives.

Concentration/Elective Requirements (15 credit hours minimum)


Students must complete 15 credit hours of electives: A minimum of three (3) credits must be a designated global elective. The program affords students the flexibility to choose either a formal concentration or any grouping of elective credits in coordination with their Advisor. The formalized concentrations are as follows: Blue Economy; Compliance, Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering; Cyber Security; Data Analytics; Finance; Healthcare Analytics; Sport Business.

Blue Economy Concentration (15 credit hours)


The Blue Economy Concentration (otherwise known as the “Blue MBA”) offers students the opportunity to develop expertise in marine science, oceanography, and other disciplines related to marine businesses.

Compliance, Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering Concentration (15 credit hours)


This is an online concentration that prepares graduates for a career in compliance, risk management and anti-money laundering, especially pertinent to the financial services sector. 

Cyber Security Concentration (15 Credit Hours)


This is an online concentration that prepares graduates for a career in information security management and business continuity. This concentration is fairly technical, given the nature of cybersecurity.

Data Analytics Concentration (15 Credit Hours)


This is an online concentration that prepares graduates with the necessary skill set to draw insights from data for decision making in different functional areas of business. Courses in the concentration will provide hands‐on experience with analytical tools and database software.

MBA Students opting for this concentration are strongly encouraged to complete QMB 6305 Managerial Decision Analysis   (2 credits) prior to enrolling in concentration courses, even if QMB 6305   was waived from their MBA Foundation requirements. For maximum success, students are encouraged to complete a free, one-day analytics related bootcamp or other online prep course prior to enrolling in QMB 6304 .

 

Finance Concentration (15 credit hours)


The Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance offers this Concentration to provide students options to enhance their skill set in finance as a complement to the main business administration curriculum. 

Healthcare Analytics Concentration (15 Credit Hours)


MBA Students opting for this concentration are strongly encouraged to complete QMB 6305 Managerial Decision Analysis    (2 credits) prior to enrolling in concentration courses, even if QMB 6305   was waived from their MBA Foundation requirements. 

For maximum success, students to complete a free, one-day, analytics related bootcamp or other online prep course prior to enrolling in QMB 6304  .

Sport Business Concentration (15 Credit Hours)


This concentration complements the solid grounding in the applied fundamentals of accounting, finance, information systems, management and marketing provided by a recognized, high‐quality MBA with coursework focused on the business of sport—human capital, organization resources and development, innovation and technology in sport, culture and business relationships, sport and law and emerging issues in global sport.

Practicum/Internship Option (3 Credit Hours)


The practicum option requires investigation of business issues. The project typically occurs in the student’s place of employment and is jointly supervised by a faculty member and a manager in the company. Three credits could be earned by taking one of the following: ACG 6905 , FIN 6906 , ISM 6905 , MAR 6907 , or MAN 6905  as part of this option. Practicum/internship hours serve in lieu of elective hours.

Comprehensive Exam/Capstone Course (3 Credit Hours)


The successful completion of the capstone course GEB 6895  (3 credits required) or GEB 6898  (3 credits required) serves in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam.

Concurrent Degree


Also available as a Concurrent Degree