Graduate Certificate in Business Administration | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Program  summary

Program title: Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Award abbreviation:
GCBusAdmin
Degree type: coursework
Modes of study: on campus, online
Duration: 4 months minimum full-time; 2 years maximum part-time
Commence: Session 2, Session 5 or Session 9
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, online postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places, international online fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: BU510
CRICOS code: 067674D

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

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
  • candidates whose first language is other than English must demonstrate an appropriate level of English proficiency. Refer to the English language requirements
  • candidates wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
  • Exceptional applicants who do not possess a Bachelor degree will be required to complete a GMAT or Business Select Entrance Test (available only to domestic applicants) 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) (entrance without a prior degree is limited to 10 percent of the entire MBA suite of program enrolments). Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with a GPA of 4 or greater (on a 7-point scale) will qualify the candidate for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration or the Master of Business Administration.

    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.

    Work experience (years, full-time equivalent) 2 3 4+
    Points 1 2 3

    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.

    GPA (7-point scale) 4.5 4.7 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.7 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.5 6.7+
    Points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

    Applicants who have not completed a recognised bachelor degree may be considered for admission based on their prior work experience and GMAT test score.

    Graduate Management Admissions Test

    A certified copy of GMAT results is required to be forwarded to the University of the Sunshine Coast.

    GMAT 500-549 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670
    Points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
    GMAT 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800
    Points 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

    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

    Program  structure *

    Candidates may select 6 required courses plus 2 elective courses, a total of 8 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 while 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 6 courses from:

    MBA701 Research Paradigms and Methods of Enquiry
    MBA702 Communication Theory and Practice
    MBA703 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
    MBA704 Introduction to Creative Writing
    MBA705 Public Relations Strategies and Tactics
    MBA706 Introduction to Journalism
    MBA707 Introduction to Creative Advertising
    MBA708 Editing for the Communications Professional
    MBA709 Computer-Assisted Reporting
    MBA710 Crisis and Issues Management
    MBA711 Media and Community Relations
    MBA712 Advertising Campaigns
    MBA713 Advertising: Copy and Image
    MBA714 News Rounds
    MBA715 The Writer and the Law
    MBA716 Media and Promotion: Tourism and Hospitality

    Electives

    Select 2 courses from:

    MBA717 Communication Campaign Planning
    MBA718 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
    MBA719 Online Journalism
    MBA720 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero
    MBA721 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing
    MBA722 Public Relations Events Project
    MBA723 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
    MBA724 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
    MBA725 Creative Advertising
    MBA726 Advanced News Reporting
    MBA727 International Communication
    MBA728 Research into Journalism **
    MBA729 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas **
    MBA730 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics **

    Graduate Certificate Course Schedule

    Intakes - when to apply

    There will be three intakes a year: January (Session 2), May (Session 5) and August (Session 9). Prospective candidates should apply by no later than 30 November for Session 2, 30 March for Session 5, or 30 July for Session 9.

    Program requirements and notes

    1. Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration program structure.
    2. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
    3. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
    4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
    5. Online study mode not available to international students on a Student Visa.

    Enquiries 

    For further details about this program please contact:
    Graduate Studies, Faculty of Business
    Tel: + 61 7 5430 1221
    Fax: + 61 7 5430 1231
    Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au

    * Please note that the program structure of the MBA and names of courses are subject to change.
    ** Subject to approval. Management Project A, B and C are not open for student enrolment. These courses are for students who are given substitutes upon entry and require the Faculty’s approval.

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