Majors & Minors

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance provides specialized skill sets for students wishing to work in finance industry. The degree signals to potential employers that the graduate is ready to perform complex tasks involving finance, economics and state-of-the-art computer modelling.

Requirements for Admission

This program is available only to current Marshall and Leventhal undergraduates who satisfy the following three conditions: (1) have attained sophomore standing, (2) have completed at least one semester in residence at USC, and (3) have earned credit for the course BUAD 306 Business Finance or BUAD 308 Advanced Business Finance. Students who wish to transfer to this program should visit the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs in the Marshall School of Business.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration including USC's General Education requirements and at least 12 upper-division units in the area of emphasis.

This program consists of courses offered by both the Marshall School of Business and the School of International Relations. Students completing the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Relations.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree. 

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business including USC's General Education requirements and an additional 24 units in international relations.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership and Innovation prepares students for leadership roles in a variety of organizations in a world of increasing global, technological and regulatory change. The program aims to train inspirational leaders who bring together diverse groups to achieve transformational innovation for sustained competitive advantage.

With this degree, students will learn how to create an inspiring vision and strategy for innovation in their organization, effectively lead high performing innovation teams, create a culture of agility and innovation, and effectively identify and solve critical problems in order to build sustainable competitive advantage and satisfy a diverse set of stakeholders.

Requirements for Admission

This program is available only to current Marshall and Leventhal undergraduates who satisfy the following three conditions: (1) have attained sophomore standing, (2) have completed at least one semester in residence at USC, and (3) have earned credit for the course BUAD 304 Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Students who wish to transfer to this program should visit the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs in the Marshall School of Business.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration including USC's General Education requirements and at least 12 upper-division units in the area of emphasis.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing provides students with specialized training in marketing strategy, execution, and evaluation. With this degree, students will deepen their understanding of various aspects of marketing such as product development, communication and promotion, consumer insights, ethics and regulation, customer analytics, and data-driven marketing.

Requirements for Admission

This program is available only to current Marshall and Leventhal undergraduates who satisfy the following three conditions: (1) have attained sophomore standing, (2) have completed at least one semester in residence at USC, and (3) have earned credit for the course BUAD 307 Marketing Fundamentals. Students who wish to transfer to this program should visit the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs in the Marshall School of Business.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration including USC's General Education requirements and at least 12 upper-division units in the area of emphasis.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate Finance provides specialized skill sets for students wishing to work in real estate finance and development. The degree signals to potential employers that the graduate is ready to perform complex tasks involving real estate finance, economics and state-of-the-art computer modelling.

Requirements for Admission

This program is available only to current Marshall and Leventhal undergraduates who have attained sophomore standing and have completed at least one semester in residence at USC. Students who wish to transfer to this program should visit the Marshall Undergraduate Advising office (see marshall.usc.edu/current-students/academic-advising).

Students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Real Estate Finance) as a second bachelor's degree must satisfy all university requirements for a second bachelor's and complete 32 units unique to the Business Administration (Real Estate Finance) major.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration including USC's General Education requirements and 16 upper-division units in the emphasis.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Risk Management provides students with an understanding of the processes and tools necessary for effective risk management across a variety of industries, including financial services, technology, real estate, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, sports, and insurance, to name a few. The degree signals to potential employers that the graduate has acquired skills that are useful in facing the challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected business environment.

Requirements for Admission

This program is available only to current Marshall and Leventhal undergraduates who satisfy the following three conditions: (1) have attained sophomore standing, (2) have completed at least one semester in residence at USC, and (3) have earned credit for the course ACCT 380 Introduction to Enterprise Risk Management or BUAD 308 Advanced Business Finance or RISK 380 Introduction to Enterprise Risk Management. Students who wish to transfer to this program should visit the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs in the Marshall School of Business.

Students may earn only one emphasis within the BS in Business Administration degree. Students pursuing this emphasis are not eligible to earn the Risk Management Minor.

Requirements for Completion

To complete the program, students must satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration including USC's General Education requirements and at least 16 upper-division units in the area of emphasis.

The World Bachelor in Business (WBB) Program offers students the opportunity for immersive study at three highly regarded business schools, one in each of the major economic/cultural zones of the world: the Americas, Asia and Europe. The program is designed and offered in cooperation with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Bocconi University. Students spend at least one year at each campus and receive a degree from each university. The program is available to entering freshmen only. Prospective students should consult with the USC Marshall Undergraduate Admissions office for program and admissions information.

Requirements for Completion

Specific courses completed at each university are used to fulfill specific requirements at the other universities. To successfully move through the curriculum, which includes the ability to begin coursework at partner institutions, and graduate (obtain all three degrees/diplomas), students must satisfy the academic standards and policies of all partner institutions and successfully complete the required coursework each term. 

The USC degree requirements published here are those of the USC Marshall Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Students should consult with the WBB program academic adviser at each university.

Students should note the following USC degree requirements for the WBB program:

• A minimum of 32 units must be taken in residence at USC. The units applied toward this requirement must be taken for a letter grade and cannot be taken on a P/NP or CR/NC basis.
• In addition to meeting university GPA requirements, a minimum grade of C- must be earned on all upper-division course work taken at USC and required for the major.
• A minimum grade of C- for course work completed at HKUST and Bocconi University must be earned for the course credits to transfer to USC.
• USC GPA calculations will be based on course work completed at USC.

Sample Program

WBB students spend the first year taking classes in Los Angeles at USC, the second year taking classes in Hong Kong at HKUST and the third year taking classes in Milan at Bocconi University. In the final year, students choose their location of study in consultation with the program directors. Each year includes at least one cohort class designed specifically for the WBB program.

The following sample program is typical for most WBB students. It is not the only possible program of study, but it does serve as a representative guideline. Students will meet with a WBB program academic adviser at each location to ensure that each student's program of study will fulfill WBB program requirements.

This minor is available to students of all majors except business, accounting and economics. This minor teaches students to think strategically about business. It integrates economic ideas with practical applications in the real world. Students who minor in business economics learn to think like leaders in business firms. This minor approaches problems conceptually, proceeding from the general economic theories to specific real world applications. This gives students a higher level of understanding of business opportunities and problems.

Many students in disciplines other than business need economic skills that focus on business. This minor teaches a combination of the ideas, skill sets and methodological approaches used in business economics. Students develop economic reasoning skills related to real-world problems and opportunities.

To enroll, students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level course work and have a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.75. Completion of this minor requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the 20 units applied to the minor.

The minor in business finance offers non-business/non-accounting majors an opportunity to expand their career opportunities by gaining a background in financial concepts, valuation and financial strategy. It provides students with the necessary tools to measure benefits and related costs that will enable them to make better business decisions. Problem-solving and quantitative skills that are widely used in business will enable students to work on special projects or management teams — opportunities that might not have been available had it not been for this minor. Eighteen units are required.

To enroll students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level course work and have a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.75. Completion of this minor requires a minimum of 18 units. 

A minor in business law is available to students in all schools and departments except business majors.

The minor in business law will provide students with practical legal knowledge of substantive business law topics and current legal issues. The minor provides skill sets to identify and manage issues encountered within personal and business contexts including litigation, contract law, employment and human resources, real and personal property law. This minor exposes students to such topics as: commercial transactions, constitutional law, Internet and online commerce; intellectual property and entertainment law; bankruptcy and securities law; law of business and non-profit organizations; and international law.

It also prepares students for career opportunities in management, technology and politics. The minor is an excellent preparation for further legal education.

To enroll, students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level course work and have a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.75.

A minimum of 16 units is required to complete the minor.