Business Administration - Full-Time (STEM), MBA

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The Mission of the USF MBA programs is to promote disciplined analysis as a catalyst to positive change in business practice. We combine the global diversity of our students, analytical rigor of our faculty, and the entrepreneurial energy of our region to create a rigorous and practical learning environment that is regionally anchored, nationally recognized and globally respected.

The USF MBA is distinguished by the comprehensive way it accompanies students on their professional development journey. Rooted in a classic liberal arts tradition that applies critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and refined communication skills to the study of business and management, the MBA program addresses career preparation from several perspectives, each designed to collaborate in building an overall professional profile for success in business and in life.

Foundational to the program is a challenging academic curriculum designed to train students to meet the requirements for a diverse and rapidly changing global workforce. Students are supported in their intellectual inquiries by complementary programs embedded in the context of a vibrant business community that provide personalized career services aimed at matching students’ skills and passions with employment opportunities. In turn, academic and professional preparation is sustained by an expansive series of co-curricular programs and mentor-supported reflections directed at encouraging students to discern and articulate their values as they develop their characters. Enhanced by collaborative activities that promote engagement with the society they seek to serve as contributing citizens, the MBA program at the University of San Francisco continues the Jesuit tradition of magis, doing more for the greater good.

THE MBA CURRICULUM

The University of San Francisco MBA Program is a rigorous and intellectually challenging field of study that provides the analytical, functional, and interpersonal skills necessary for success in an increasingly complex and global business environment. The MBA curriculum reflects careful consideration of the development of these skills by providing students with three levels of graduate management course work: Core Courses; the choice of Career Accelerator Platform; and Elective Courses. In addition, The Global Business Practicum provides students with hands-on experience solving real-world business challenges for international organizations, enhancing their global perspective and applied learning. The Magis Final Project serves as a culminating experience that integrates core MBA concepts, allowing students to demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership, and a commitment to meaningful impact.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the USF MBA Programs will be able to:

Students will design business strategy by incorporating concepts from multiple functional areas
Students will develop a leadership communication style that is effective and persuasive
Students will exhibit strong teamwork skills as demonstrated through their ability to inspire collaboration and maximize collective abilities
Students will identify the ethical, environmental, and social implications of business issues and formulate appropriate responses
Students will challenge assumptions and establish a process to appraise competing perspectives
Students will interpret ambiguous information and formulate succinct solutions

STEM MBA Full-Time Major Requirements (48 units)

The MBA curriculum is 48 units comprised of 12 core courses (24 units), two Horizon Core Courses (4 unites), three Career Accelerator courses (8 units), a required Global Business Practicum (2 units), Magis Final Project course (2 units), and eight elective units. Students must complete all of their electives in courses that have been defended by the MBA faculty as STEM.

MBA Core Courses (12 courses, 24 units)
Career Accelerator Courses (3 courses, 8 units)
MBA Elective Courses (4 courses, 8 units)
Global Business Practicum (1 course, 2 units)
Magis Final Project (1 course, 2 units)
Required Career and Professional Development Modules

MBA Core (24 units)

The MBA Core Courses are the nucleus of the MBA curriculum and provide innovative problem-solving skills to diagnose and solve a wide variety of managerial problems. In addition to the development of specific functional and analytical skills, the core curriculum has been uniquely designed to integrate five themes throughout each course: global perspectives, ethical perspectives, creative problem solving, leadership dynamics, and communication skills. Through the use of case studies, guest speakers, computer simulations, and faculty-student interaction, these themes merge with course content to provide a real world experience

MBA Career Accelerator Platforms (8 units)

Complete one of the following options:

Option I: Business Finance

Option II: Management Consulting

Option III: Customer Success and Insight

Horizon Core (4 units)

The Horizon Core is a distinctive and flexible component of the MBA curriculum designed to prepare students for the evolving demands of the modern business landscape. This requirement enables students to tailor their education by selecting one course from two specialized menus of offerings:

Digital Transformation: Courses in this category focus on the integration of emerging technologies into business strategies and operations. Students will explore topics such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital innovation, and the impact of technology on business models, gaining skills to lead in an increasingly digital world.
Sustainability: Courses in this category address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in business. Students will examine sustainability strategies, ethical leadership, and the role of businesses in addressing global challenges, equipping them to create value while fostering responsible growth.

The Horizon Core empowers students to deepen their expertise in these critical areas while fostering the adaptability and foresight required to thrive in complex, interconnected environments.

Global Business Practicum (2 units)

The Global Business Practicum is a key experiential learning requirement within the MBA program, designed to provide students with real-world insights into global business challenges and opportunities. This requirement allows students to apply their knowledge in dynamic, hands-on settings while enhancing their understanding of diverse business environments and cultures.

Students can fulfill this requirement through one of the following options:

Faculty-Led International Practicum: Engage in an immersive international experience guided by faculty. Students will travel to global business hubs, meet with local executives, and work on live projects, gaining first-hand exposure to cross-border operations and strategies.
Local Immersive Practicum: Participate in a local project with an international focus. Students will collaborate with multinational companies or organizations with global operations to address complex business challenges while staying close to home.

The Global Business Practicum is an invaluable opportunity for students to broaden their global perspectives, enhance their problem-solving skills, and build their professional networks in a setting that aligns with their personal and professional goals.

MBA 613 - Global Business Practicum

MBA Electives (8 units)

MBA students have the opportunity to customize their learning experience through four elective courses, allowing them to tailor their education to their professional goals and areas of interest. Electives cover a wide range of topics, including advanced business disciplines, emerging trends, and industry-specific knowledge.

MBA Electives are courses starting at MBA 640 and upward. STEM MBA students must take elective courses identified as STEM by the MBA faculty.

Magis Final Project (2 units)

The Magis Final Project is a capstone course and a cornerstone of the MBA curriculum, designed to synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. This requirement challenges students to apply their learning to a complex, real-world business issue, demonstrating their ability to think critically, lead effectively, and create value and impact in a professional context.

MBA 614 - Magis Final Project