• Program summary
• Program overview
• Admission requirements
• Program structure
• Intakes - when to apply
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

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

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.

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 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.

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 Mobile Forensics
MBA702 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
MBA703 Marketing Foundations
MBA704 Research for Decision Making
MBA705 Entrepreneurship
MBA706 Financial Statement Analysis
MBA707 Informatics for Managers
MBA708 Organisational Behaviour
MBA709 Economics for Managers
MBA710 Business Law
MBA711 Understanding Leadership
MBA712 Corporate Governance
MBA713 Strategic Management
MBA714 Financial Management
MBA715 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
MBA716 Human Resource Management

Electives

Select 2 courses from:

MBA717 New Business Planning
MBA718 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
MBA719 Event Management
MBA720 Quantitative Data Analysis
MBA721
MBA722 Leading and Managing Organisational Change
MBA723 Project Management
MBA724 Cultural Intelligence for International Business Managers*
MBA725
MBA726
MBA727
MBA728 **
MBA729 **
MBA730 **

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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