• Program summary 
• Program overview
• Admission requirements
• Program structure
• Intakes - when to apply
• Costs
• Scholarships
• Enquiries

Program summary

Award abbreviation: GCBusAdmin
Degree type: postgraduate coursework
Modes of study: on campus, online
Duration: 1 session - ⅓ year minimum full-time; 2 years maximum part-time. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
Fee type 2009: postgraduate coursework places, online postgraduate coursework places
Total courses: 8
Commence: commences in March 2009
Program code: BU510
CRICOS code: not available to international students on a student visa.

Program overview

The demands of management in today's business world require an increasing range of skills in all facets of business. Graduate training in management and business administration can complement and enhance the skills you have gained in the workplace, or add value to existing qualifications - fast tracking your career ambitions.

This program offers the following features:

• innovative and flexible approaches to learning, eg online learning
• the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills across functions and disciplines
• focus on the application of theory and execution of practice
• teaching by highly qualified and experienced academic staff
• links theory and application to current business issues
• network-building opportunities

Admission requirements

Domestic candidates

To be considered for admission candidates must:

1. possess an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 4.5 (on a 7-point scale)
2. have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience; and
3. must achieve at least 5 points from the points tables below, with those points gained in at least two of the three categories:
   1. prior work experience 
   2. academic achievement 
   3. graduate management admissions test

Exceptional applicants who do not possess a Bachelor degree will be required to complete a GMAT or Business Select Entrance Test plus an interview. Successful completion of either entrance qualification and interview may allow the candidate to be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GCBusAdmin). Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with a minimum of a GPA of 4 (on a 7-point scale) or equivalent will qualify the candidate for entry into the MBA.

Points table – Applicable for entry requirements and scholarship eligibility

Prior work experience

Candidates must have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience. An additional point may be awarded for substantial managerial work experience with a multinational firm. Applicants will need to provide certified documentary evidence of prior employment experience.

Prior academic achievement (ie undergraduate GPA)

Prior academic study at the bachelor level can be in any field at any recognised tertiary institution. Points awarded are based on the candidate’s grade point average (GPA) from their undergraduate degree based on USC 7- point scale or equivalent.

Applicants who have not completed a recognised bachelor degree may be considered for admission based basically on their prior work experience and GMAT test score but entrance without a prior degree is limited to 10 percent of the entire enrolment.

Graduate Management Admissions Test

USC needs to see a certified copy of GMAT results.

Note: At the discretion of the Dean, Faculty of Business, one additional point may be awarded for each of the following:

1. Masters degree
2. PhD/DBA
3. substantial managerial experience with a multi-national firm

English language proficiency

International applicants must meet one of the following English language proficiency levels for entry to the GCBusAdmin program:

Applicants who do not meet the language requirement outlines above may be offered a USC English Language pathway program to the GCBusAdmin.

Program structure

Candidates select 8 courses from the available 16 required courses. These courses cover the fundamental areas of business administration. The subjects include the key functional areas of an organisation, with the aim to provide candidates with knowledge and skills in the key discipline areas. The required courses allow for contemporary management areas to be incorporated whilst allowing updates to meet changing required skill sets.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a 6 credit point, 8 course model. Delivery is offered across 6 half sessions. A half session is comprised of a 6 week teaching block with an additional week (week 7) to complete final examinations and assessment items.

Required courses

Select 8 courses from:
MBA701 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
MBA702 Marketing Foundations
MBA703 Research for Decision Making
MBA704 Entrepreneurship
MBA705 Financial Statement Analysis
MBA706 Information Systems for Managers
MBA707 Organisational Behaviour
MBA708 Economics for Managers
MBA709 Business Law
MBA710 Understanding Leadership
MBA711 Corporate Governance
MBA712 Strategic Management
MBA713 Financial Management
MBA714 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
MBA715 Human Resource Management
MBA716 New Business Planning

Program scheduling

Half-Session 1, March – April
MBA701 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
MBA703 Research for Decision Making
MBA704 Entrepreneurship
MBA710 Understanding Leadership

Half-Session 2, May - June
MBA706 Information Systems for Managers
MBA709 Business Law

Half Session 3, July – August
MBA702 Marketing Foundations
MBA707 Organisational Behaviour
MBA712 Strategic Management

Half Session 4, September – October
MBA705 Financial Statement Analysis
MBA715 Human Resource Management

Half Session 5, November – December
MBA708 Economics for Managers
MBA711 Corporate Governance
MBA713 Financial Management

Half Session 6, January – February
MBA714 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
MBA716 New Business Planning

How to apply

Apply for a postgraduate program.

There will be only one intake at the commencement of each year. Prospective candidates should apply by no later than 30 January.

Costs

The cost of the 8-course Graduate Certificate in Business Administration program for 2009-2010 Cohort 1 is A$1,125 per course. Program cost is A$9,000. **

Enquiries 

For further details about this program please contact:
Graduate Studies, Faculty of Business
Tel: + 61 7 5459 1239
Fax: + 61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au

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