Doctor of Audiology
USD's Au.D. program is a comprehensive four-year post-baccalaureate curriculum that...
Master of Business Administration - General
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The General MBA at USD emphasizes decision-making, data analysis, and social responsibility, providing a strong foundation in essential business concepts. It aims to develop management personnel with a generalized point of view who are adaptable to changing environments and possess a high degree of analytical skill. The program fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, preparing graduates to address complex business dilemmas and contribute positively to organizations. It offers significant flexibility with options for on-campus, hybrid, and fully online delivery, accommodating a wide range of students including working professionals. The Beacom School of Business holds AACSB International accreditation, a globally recognized standard of excellence for business education.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the General MBA is structured to provide a holistic understanding of business operations. Core courses typically include managerial accounting, managerial finance, quantitative analysis, operations management, leadership development, and business and its environment. The program is designed to broadly educate management personnel by covering fundamental areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, and supply chain management. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates have a well-rounded business perspective, enabling them to effectively contribute to various functional areas within an organization. Students can often tailor their learning through elective choices, allowing for some personalization even within the generalist framework.
Research Focus: While the General MBA is primarily a professional, practice-oriented degree, the curriculum is informed by the ongoing research and scholarly activities of the Beacom School of Business faculty. The faculty's engagement in research across various business disciplines, including management, marketing, finance, and operations, ensures that the program incorporates current theories, best practices, and innovative approaches to business challenges. The emphasis is on developing students' analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling them to evaluate alternative courses of action and apply ethical principles in resolving business dilemmas. Students may have opportunities to engage in applied projects that utilize research methodologies to address real-world business problems.
Industry Engagement: The University of South Dakota's Beacom School of Business prioritizes strong connections with the business community, which directly benefits students in the General MBA program. This engagement is facilitated through various initiatives, including guest speakers from industry, networking events with alumni and local businesses, and opportunities for hands-on experience through programs like the Coyote Business Consulting Group. The school's commitment to providing real-world experiences helps students bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, equipping them with the skills and connections needed for successful careers. The location in South Dakota, with its growing business sector, provides relevant opportunities for engagement.
Global Perspective: The General MBA program at USD incorporates a global perspective by emphasizing the impact of the broader business environment on business decisions and fostering an understanding of the role of business in society. The AACSB accreditation of the Beacom School of Business signifies a commitment to global standards of business education, preparing graduates to operate effectively in an increasingly interconnected world. While specific global immersion experiences may be highlighted for other specializations, the fundamental curriculum of the General MBA instills an awareness of global economic trends, cultural diversity in the workplace, and the ethical responsibilities of businesses in a global context, ensuring graduates are globally and culturally aware.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a General specialization from the University of South Dakota (USD) equips graduates with a well-rounded business education, preparing them for a diverse array of leadership and management positions across various industries. This comprehensive foundation allows for significant career flexibility and adaptability in a constantly evolving job market.
Management Consultant: General MBA graduates are highly suitable for consulting roles, where they leverage their broad business knowledge to analyze organizational challenges, develop strategic solutions, and advise clients across different sectors (e.g., healthcare, finance, technology, manufacturing) on improving performance and efficiency.
Operations Manager: With a solid understanding of how various business functions interact, an Operations Manager oversees daily operations, optimizes processes, manages resources, and strives to improve productivity and profitability within an organization.
Project Manager: General MBA graduates possess the leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills necessary to lead projects from conception to completion across any industry. They manage timelines, budgets, and teams to ensure successful project delivery.
Human Resources Manager: An MBA provides a strategic perspective on human capital management. HR Managers with a general MBA can effectively lead recruitment, talent development, employee relations, and organizational culture initiatives, aligning HR strategies with overall business objectives.
Business Development Manager: This role involves identifying new market opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth. General MBA graduates can leverage their comprehensive business understanding to craft compelling value propositions and expand a company's reach.
Financial Manager: While not as specialized as an MBA in Finance, a General MBA provides strong financial literacy, enabling graduates to take on managerial roles in finance departments, overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and risk management from a broader business perspective.
Marketing Manager: General MBA graduates understand the fundamentals of marketing, consumer behavior, and brand management. They can lead marketing teams, develop integrated campaigns, and make data-driven decisions to promote products or services.
General Manager: This role often entails overseeing an entire business unit or a smaller company, taking responsibility for all aspects of its operations, profitability, and strategic direction. A General MBA provides the holistic view necessary for this leadership position.
Healthcare Administrator: The healthcare sector has a constant need for effective leaders. A General MBA equips graduates with the managerial and operational skills to oversee departments, clinics, or even entire hospitals, ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance.
Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner: The diverse curriculum of a General MBA provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the fundamental knowledge in finance, marketing, operations, and management needed to successfully launch, manage, and grow their own ventures.
