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

Highlights

• MBA — the international standard for graduate business qualifications
• Innovative and flexible approaches to learning
• Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of studying online

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 qualifi-cations—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.

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 The Writer and the Law
MBA702 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
MBA703 Marketing Foundations
MBA704 Managing Research
MBA705 Entrepreneurship
MBA706 Financial Statement Analysis
MBA707 Informatics for Managers
MBA708 Organisational Behaviour
MBA709 Economics for Managers
MBA710 Law and Business
MBA711 Understanding Leadership
MBA712 Corporate Governance
MBA713 Business Strategy
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 Managing Knowledge Assets
MBA726 Leadership Development
MBA727 Marketing Strategy
MBA728 Property Management **
MBA729 Management Project A **
MBA730 Management Project B **

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 policies, rules, plans and procedures.
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 

How to apply

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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