- MBA — the international standard for graduate business qualifications
- Innovative and flexible approaches to learning
- Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of studying online
Program summary
Program title: Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Award abbreviation: GCBusAdmin
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: on campus, online
Duration: 4 months minimum full-time; 2 years maximum part-time
Commence: Session 2, Session 5 or Session 9
Fee type 2012: postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: BU510
CRICOS code: 067674D
Broaden your managerial skills to prepare for senior management roles.
In today’s business world, the demands of management require you to have 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.
USC’s business administration programs offer you innovative and flexible approaches to learning, including the opportunity to study online. Courses explore current business issues and offer you network-building opportunities. You learn to integrate knowledge and skills across functions and disciplines, and focus on the application of theory and execution of practice.
The 8-course Graduate Certificate in Business Administration introduces you to fundamental areas of business administration. Courses cover the key functional areas of an organisation and provide you with knowledge and skills in the key discipline areas.
The 16-course Graduate Diploma builds on the Graduate Certificate and articulates into the Master of Business Administration. In the Graduate Diploma, you extend the skill-focused study and practical work to develop your professional understanding and problem-solving abilities. Depending on your interests, you can choose to study courses in decision-making, economics, marketing, management, law, ethics or informatics.
The suite culminates in the 24-course MBA, which is now the international standard for graduate business qualifications. As an MBA student, you develop managerial skills in critical thinking and research and analysis through individual and team-based work. You complete 16 core subjects covering the fundamental areas of business administration and choose eight elective courses, which allow you to focus on specific interest areas.
For added flexibility, if you enrol in the Graduate Diploma you may choose to exit after completing the first eight courses with the Graduate Certificate and achieve a recognised qualification. Similarly, if you enrol in the masters program, you may choose to exit after completing the first 16 courses and gain the Graduate Diploma. Subject to certain time conditions, you can return to upgrade your qualification later.
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.
Enquiries
Graduate Studies, School of Business
Tel: + 61 7 5430 1259
Fax: + 61 7 5430 2859
Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission candidates must:
- possess an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 4.5 (on a 7-point scale)
- have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience; and
- must achieve at least 5 points from the points tables below, with those points gained in at least two of the three categories:
- prior work experience
- academic achievement
- 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 (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:
- Masters degree
- PhD/DBA
- substantial managerial experience with a multi-national firm
Study Plan
This Study Plan is valid from Study Period 1, 2011.
For students who commenced study in this program prior to Study Period 1, 2011:
- Find the Student Handbook for the semester in which you commenced.
- Select the program in which you are enrolled.
- Scroll down to your relevant Program Structure.
Program requirements and notes
- Student must complete a minimum of 8 courses including all required courses listed below.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Online study mode not available to international students on a Student Visa.
Program structure
Required courses: (6)
Select 6 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA701 Strategy, Governance and Ethics | |||
| MBA702 Marketing in a Global Environment | |||
| MBA703 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology | |||
| MBA704 Earth Observation: Remote Sensing and Surveying | |||
| MBA705 Applied Geospatial Analysis | |||
| MBA706 Geo-visualisation | |||
| MBA707 Innovation and Creative Decision Making | |||
| MBA708 Marketing Foundations | |||
| MBA709 Managing Research | |||
| MBA710 Entrepreneurship | |||
| MBA711 Financial Statement Analysis | |||
| MBA712 Informatics for Managers | |||
| MBA713 Organisational Behaviour | |||
| MBA714 Economics for Managers | |||
| MBA715 Law and Business | |||
| MBA716 Understanding Leadership |
Elective courses: (2)
Select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA717 Corporate Governance | |||
| MBA718 Business Strategy | |||
| MBA719 Financial Management | |||
| MBA721 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility | |||
| MBA722 Human Resource Management | |||
| MBA723 New Business Planning | |||
| MBA724 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems | |||
| MBA725 Event Management | |||
| MBA726 Quantitative Data Analysis | |||
| MBA727 Leading and Managing Organisational Change |
TOTAL UNITS 48
* 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.