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:
- possess an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 4.5 (on a 7-point scale)
- have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience, and
- must achieve at least 5 points from the points tables below, with those points gained in at least two of the three categories:
- prior work experience
- academic achievement
- 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:
- Masters degree
- PhD/DBA
- 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 & 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 & 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 Business Process Re-engineering*
MBA721 Leading & 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
- Students are required to successfully complete 16 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration program structure.
- Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
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
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