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

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Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

Program summary

Program title: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
Award abbreviation:
GDBusAdmin
Degree type: coursework
Modes of study: on campus, online
Duration: 8 months minimum full-time; 4 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: 16
USC program code: BU610
CRICOS code: 067675C

Program overview

Graduates of the 16-course Graduate Diploma in Business Administration will undertake skill-focused programs of study and practical work to develop their professional understanding and problem-solving abilities.

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 programs 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 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's 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
    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 12 required courses plus 4 elective courses, a total of 16 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 Diploma in Business Administration is a 6 credit point, 16 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 12 courses from:

    MBA701 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
    MBA702 Marketing Foundations
    MBA703 Research for Decision Making
    MBA704 Entrepreneurship
    MBA705 Financial Statement Analysis
    MBA706 Informatics 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

    Electives

    Select 4 courses from:

    MBA717 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
    MBA718 Event Management
    MBA719 Quantitative Data Analysis
    MBA720
    MBA721 Leading and Managing Organisational Change
    MBA722 Project Management
    MBA723 Cultural Intelligence for International Business Managers*
    MBA724 Managing Knowledge Assets*
    MBA725 Leadership Development
    MBA726 Marketing Strategy
    MBA727 Property Management
    MBA728 Management Project A *
    MBA729 Management Project B *
    MBA730 Management Project C *

    Graduate Diploma 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 16 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma 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.

    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

    * 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.
    ** Program schedule is subject to change without notice.

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