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

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

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.

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.

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

Electives

Select 4 courses from:

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

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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