Business Administration (MS)

NA On Campus Masters Program

University of Southern California

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Business Administration (MS) at the USC Marshall School of Business is an advanced degree designed for students who have already completed an MBA and want to develop deeper expertise in a specific area of business. The programme allows students to create an individual course of study with guidance from a faculty adviser, explore advanced business subjects and complete a research or consulting project related to their chosen specialisation.

Curriculum Structure

Unlike traditional master's programmes, the MS in Business Administration does not follow a fixed first-year and second-year curriculum. Students complete a minimum of 26 graduate units, including specialised coursework and a research or consulting project.

Specialised Coursework: Students choose advanced graduate-level subjects based on their preferred business specialisation. With guidance from a Marshall faculty adviser, they can explore areas such as finance, marketing, management, organisational behaviour and other business disciplines.
Research and Applied Learning: Students complete at least two units through Directed Research (590), Field Research (592), Independent Research (593) or Consulting Project (597). These experiences allow them to investigate real business challenges, apply their knowledge and develop practical recommendations under faculty supervision.

Focus Areas

Advanced business specialisation, strategic management, corporate finance, financial and management accounting, marketing, operations management, organisational behaviour, leadership, business communication, economics, quantitative analysis and applied business research.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop advanced knowledge in their chosen business specialisation, improve their ability to evaluate complex business challenges and make informed decisions. They also strengthen their analytical, strategic thinking, independent research and professional communication skills through specialised coursework and supervised projects.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is offered through the USC Marshall School of Business. Applicants must already hold an MBA from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This is an admission requirement rather than a separate professional accreditation awarded to the MS degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

USC Marshall has a strong professional network and connections with employers across consulting, entertainment, technology, financial services, healthcare, energy and other industries. Students can benefit from career development resources and networking opportunities through the Trojan Network. However, USC does not publish a separate employment rate or average salary specifically for graduates of the MS in Business Administration programme.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical business skills through USC Marshall's Experiential Learning Center (ELC), where they can take part in realistic business activities and interactive exercises. These experiences help students strengthen their leadership, negotiation, communication and decision-making abilities. The programme also provides opportunities to apply advanced business knowledge through supervised research and consulting projects.

Practical learning opportunities and facilities include:

Experiential Learning Center (ELC): Located in Jane and Christopher Popovich Hall, the centre provides specialised learning spaces where students can practise management skills through interactive activities.
Business Simulations: Students can participate in simulated business situations involving leadership, teamwork, negotiation, communication and strategic decision-making.
AI and Virtual Reality: The centre incorporates artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies into selected learning activities.
Presentations and Mock Interviews: Students can practise professional presentations and interviews, review recorded sessions and receive feedback to improve their performance.
Focus Groups and Group Activities: Students can develop collaboration and communication skills through focus groups and other interactive group exercises.
Research and Consulting Projects: Students complete supervised research or consulting work, allowing them to explore business challenges related to their chosen specialisation.
Popovich Hall: This facility offers graduate business classrooms, case study rooms, audio-video teleconferencing facilities and experiential learning classrooms.
Marshall Research Centres: Students can explore research and industry-related activities associated with centres such as the Center for Effective Organizations, Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making.
Library and Academic Resources: Students can access USC libraries, computer facilities and other academic resources to support their coursework and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MS in Business Administration helps graduates build on their existing MBA qualifications and develop specialised knowledge for more advanced business responsibilities. Depending on their previous professional experience and chosen specialisation, graduates can explore opportunities in consulting, corporate finance, strategic planning and business leadership.

Potential career opportunities include: Senior Business Consultant, Strategic Planning Manager, Corporate Finance Manager and Business Development Director.

Career development and professional opportunities at USC Marshall include:

Graduate Career Services: Students can access individual career guidance, professional coaching, career development workshops, mock interviews and support with interview preparation and salary negotiations.
Employer Networking: USC Marshall organises company presentations, networking events, coffee chats and recruitment activities that help students connect with potential employers.
Recruitment Platform: The university uses the 12Twenty platform, which provides access to job opportunities, employer information and recruitment activities.
Industry Connections: Marshall maintains relationships with employers across consulting, entertainment, technology, financial services, consumer products, energy, healthcare and real estate.
Alumni Network: Students can benefit from the wider Trojan Network, which includes more than 101,000 Marshall alumni and offers opportunities to build professional connections.
Employment Statistics and Salaries: USC does not provide separate employment rates or average salary figures for MS in Business Administration graduates. Therefore, employment statistics from other USC business programmes should not be treated as outcomes for this degree.
Long-Term Academic Recognition: Studying at USC Marshall, an AACSB-accredited business school, provides students with an academically recognised business education and opportunities to strengthen their professional expertise.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MS in Business Administration, graduates interested in research or academic careers can consider pursuing a PhD in Business Administration or a related management discipline. Their advanced business knowledge and supervised research experience can provide a useful foundation for further doctoral studies, depending on the admission requirements of their chosen institution.

Important programme information: This is not a conventional master's degree for students entering directly after a bachelor's degree. Applicants must already hold a traditional MBA from an AACSB-accredited institution. The programme requires a minimum of 26 graduate units and focuses on advanced business specialisation.