IBEAR MBA For Professionals With Average 10 Years Experience

USC Marshall School’s IBEAR MBA is a full time one-year accelerated global MBA program targeting experienced professionals with an average of 10 years of work experience and a global focus.

Delivered at USC’s Los Angeles campus, participants complete 19 courses in five eight-week terms from July of each year to the next. Established in 1978, it has 1500 graduates in leadership positions in more than 60 countries around the globe.

IBEAR participants, being mid career professionals, are approximately 5 years older on average than students in two-year MBA programs. Thus, many of them seek to re-enter the job market at a more senior level than the average two-year MBA. The opportunity cost of attending a one-year program as opposed to a two-year program is more attractive to mid career professionals looking to return to the job market as soon as possible.

In the present batch, the Class size is 56 with participants representing 62 countries. The average age is 33 in the range of 28-50 plus. The average work experience is 10 years in the range of 6-25 plus. The GMAT Average is 630.

They also tend to be more diverse than those in other MBA programs. A typical class consists of 55 participants from 15 countries with a very strong international focus. Almost 75% of the class comes from outside the US. They also have significant international experience and substantive global expertise. They use more international cases than other faculty.

The participants have the option of taking 3 electives. They are also required to participate in an intense 17-week-long client commissioned International Business Consulting Project (IBCP) that includes international travel.

Program Schedule

The IBEAR program begins in late July of one year and ends in mid July of the next. Thos lacking proficiency in English are expected to arrive in June to take supplemental English language lessons at USC’s Language Academy.

Admission Criteria

Applicants should have minimum 6 years of experience (business, non-profit, government, military, post-graduate education), valid GMAT or GRE score, TOEFL or IELTS score (where applicable) and a bachelor’s degree.

The GMAT average is normally 630 plus or minus 5 points. Applicants should score 570 or higher. The GMAT average reflects the older average age of participants (33 or 34) and the fact that many participants speak English as a second language (75% of participants are foreign nationals).

The TOEFL average normally approximates 100 IBT, 250 CBT, OR 600 PBT. Some participants are required to arrive early for additional English study, based on their scores and their background.

Admission decisions are based upon the quality and length of the applicant’s work experience, as well as the experience and quality of the applicant’s educational background, test scores, interviews, application essays, and recommendations.

International students are required to take the USC International Student English (ISE) exam on arrival at USC, unless they submit either a TOEFL score of 90 or more (IBT) with no less than 20 on each section, or an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6 on each band score. Depending on the test scores (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS), IBEAR may recommend or require additional English work before or after the IBEAR MBA program begins

Applicants could apply directly on-line at https://usc.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. IBEAR uses a rolling admissions process. Applications are accepted and evaluated until a class of individuals with distinguished academic credentials and professional experience is formed. Applicants are also encouraged to open their application file as early as possible (e.g., January or earlier) by completing the on-line application form and submitting transcripts.

“We start evaluating and admitting applications in November of each year. We urge that applicants complete the application process no later than May 15th of the following year, as the class starts to get full by this date. From time to time, we do make exceptions for strong candidates beyond May 15th. Applicants are not required to wait for test results before submitting applications,” the B-school said. International applicants are to apply as early as possible given the length of time it takes to get student visa approvals.

The files are reviewed as soon as they are complete, beginning in November. “After you have completed your application file and interviewed, it will take us approximately two weeks to evaluate your application and make a decision. If you are a foreign national it may take somewhat longer for an official USC decision because your file must also be reviewed by USC International Admissions. Admitted applicants are informed immediately by phone or via email,” the school said.

Interviews will be conducted by staff or alumni either in person or through Skype. The applicant’s undergraduate degree need not be on business as admission is granted to individuals from a broad spectrum of academic and work experience backgrounds.

Class Profile

In the present batch, the Class size is 56 with participants representing 62 countries. The average age is 33 in the range of 28-50 plus. The average work experience is 10 years in the range of 6-25 plus. The GMAT Average is 630.

As far as Undergraduate Major is concerned, Science & Engineering lead the pack at 41%, followed by Business/Economics at 25%. Social Sciences and Humanities form 20% followed by Economics at 9% and Computer Science at 5%.

The Countries represented are: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela.

Fees & Scholarships

The Tuition fee for 2016-2017 is $104,068. Students can avail of multiple merit scholarships up to and including the full cost of tuition. These awards are typically reserved for high-potential applicants, both international and domestic. The amount awarded is contingent on the qualifications of the applicant. Only self-sponsored applicants are eligible.

IBEAR Global Business Fellow awards tuition scholarships of up to a maximum of $45,000 are available to high potential self-sponsored international and U.S. candidates.

Hanjin/Korean Air Scholarship is awarded to one high-potential Korean or Korean-American participant as a result of a donation from the Hanjin Group of Korea. Applicants with experience in global supply chain and logistics may also be considered for this award. The Honjo Foundation/Jack G. Lewis Scholarship is awarded to a Japanese participant of high calibre.

Housing subsidy at a designated attractive off-campus location is awarded to both single students and those attending the program with their family. $9,000 is given to candidates attending the program alone or with their spouse while $15,000 is given to candidates attending the program with their family.

IBEAR Distinguished Graduate Scholar: Self Sponsored participants who graduate from the IBEAR program at the top 20% of their class qualify for an additional scholarship to attend a graduate study program of their choice in any USC school if admitted. Federal and private loans are available to many US citizens and permanent residents.(Image Source:Google.com)