Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Business Administration
(International Business)

(MBA(IntBus))

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Business Administration (International Business) is a 72-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in International Business Administration offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The course is offered on a fee-paying basis.

It articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in International Business Administration and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in International Business Administration, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards.

Students who have completed the graduate diploma normally receive credit for up to 36 units of topics towards the masters degree.

Alternatively, students who enrol directly in the masters program subsequently may choose only to meet the requirements for the graduate certificate or graduate diploma and exit with that qualification.

COURSE AIMS

The Master of Business Administration (International Business) is designed to prepare experienced managers and executives for positions of responsibility in internationally oriented organisations. It emphasises international business strategy and management and focuses, in particular, on international business management in the Asia-Pacific region.

The program aims to provide managers, executives, and middle managers with knowledge and skills that will enhance or consolidate their careers in international business through addressing major international issues.

The masters program allows for an optional research component representing a further opportunity for participants to focus on a particular international region and issue(s) tailored to their current professional interests.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Entry: Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have had at least two years' relevant work experience or a level of experience/expertise deemed equivalent.

For the purposes of entry to the Master of Business Administration (International Business) the term 'relevant work experience' is defined as:

• experience in the international business arena as a manager or in a similar leadership position. This could include, but is not limited to, working in a multinational corporation, government departments (eg dealing with export and trade), or research positions (eg senior academics);
• duties the applicant would be expected to have undertaken might include (but are not limited to): supervision of management staff, strategy formulation, financial decision-making analysis related to international business;
• functional international business areas in which the applicant may have worked could include marketing, human resources, accounting, finance, economic analysis, or business strategy.

However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Credit may be granted, on application, for comparable prior studies. Students taking the Master of Business Administration (International Business) from basic entry take a 72-unit program comprising 36 units to complete the Graduate Diploma in International Business Administration, and 36 units, as required by advanced entry students.

Advanced Entry: Applicants must hold an honours degree or a four-year bachelors degree in international business from a recognised university, or have satisfied the requirements for a Graduate Diploma in International Business Administration, with credit or above average in topics completed.

Students taking the Master of Business Administration (International Business) from advanced entry take a 36-unit program.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2007]

BASIC ENTRY

Students must complete 72 units comprising the program for the Graduate Diploma in International Business Administration plus an additional 36 units as set out for advanced entry. Students must complete the program for the graduate diploma before proceeding to the masters degree.

The program of study comprises:

Students must complete the following six topics:

BUSN9013	The International Business Environment	6
BUSN9005	International Human Resources Management	6
BUSN9006	International Marketing	6
BUSN9014	Legal Aspects of International Business	6
BUSN9003	International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region	6
BUSN9001	Accounting for International Managers	6

Note: Students who have completed the graduate diploma and plan to enrol subsequently for the Master of Business Administration (International Business) are advised that in order to qualify they must achieve a credit or above average in the six topics completed.

ADVANCED ENTRY

Students must complete a total of 36 units comprising:

BUSN9004	International Business Finance	6
BUSN9012	Strategy and Executive Decision-Making	6

And to complete a total of 36 units, by agreement with the MBA Director of Studies, candidates may include any masters level topic, including topics offered by other institutions (through cross-institutional enrolment), that will enhance the candidate's understanding of International Business Administration.

Possible topics, where not already taken* include:

BUSN9100	Masters Coursework Project	12
BUSN9009	Small Enterprise: International Perspectives	6
BUSN9010	Special Masters Topic in International Business A	6
BUSN9011	Special Masters Topic in International Business B	6
INTR9006	Elites in Southeast Asia	6
POAD9039	Public Management	6

* Students who have completed a corresponding undergraduate topic will not be permitted to count the postgraduate topic as an elective towards the Master of Business Administration (International Business).

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

• a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken;
• no topic may be attempted more than twice;
• the program must be completed within 12 consecutive semesters full-time or equivalent part-time or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in 12 or more units may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.