Frequently Asked Questions

You can review our upcoming start date and application deadline, as well as our application requirements, on our admissions page.

Students should plan to spend 10 to 12 hours per week on each course.

The courses feature, on average, a 50-50 mix of asynchronous (on-demand videos, readings, and assignments) and synchronous work (live sessions with faculty). The exact mix of content will depend on the individual course.

The shortest completion time for the MBA is two years (on a part-time schedule).

Traditionally, part-time MBA students take three courses per term. However, the part-time program allows students to choose an accelerated schedule or a reduced schedule. They will work with the program director to decide on the course load that best fits their needs.

We require that applicants to the MBA program have at least two years of professional experience and a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution.

The USF MBA draws students from an array of experiential and professional backgrounds. While our location in the Bay Area does attract students from tech-adjacent industries, we also see students from finance, energy, healthcare, biotech, telecommunications, retail, consumer goods, construction, government services, nonprofits, and more.

This diversity makes for a really engaging learning environment where our students learn as much from each other’s experiences as they do from their professors.

You can read more about the career outcomes of our recent part-time MBA graduating class on our class profile page.

You can review our upcoming start date and application deadline*, as well as our application requirements, on our admissions page.

*The application for the MSA program will open in September 2024.

Students should plan to spend 10 to 12 hours on each course every week.

The courses consist of fully asynchronous assignments like on-demand lectures and videos, readings, and assignments, so you can study on your schedule.

The shortest completion time for the part-time MSA is two years.

Traditionally, part-time MSA students take three courses per term. However, the part-time program allows students to choose an accelerated schedule or a reduced schedule. Students will work with the program director to decide on the course load that best fits their needs.

No. We are open to professionals from many different backgrounds who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of accounting. Our only requirement is that you have a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about our requirements on our admissions page.

While our program isn’t a CPA prep course, it does help you meet the CPA educational requirements. To become a CPA, you typically need to have a bachelor's degree and 150 credit hours of education before taking the CPA exam. This is 30 credit hours more than the usual 120 credit hours required for a bachelor's degree.

You can review our upcoming start date and application deadline, as well as our application requirements, on our admissions page.

The average completion time for the MIM is 18 months to two years (on a part-time schedule).

The courses feature, on average, a 50-50 mix of asynchronous (on-demand videos, readings, and assignments) and synchronous work (live sessions with faculty). The exact mix of content will vary depending on each individual course.

Sustainable Business Management means considering the long-term effects of business operations on society, environment, and communities, in addition to the governance and financial health of an organization. It recognizes that we are all part of an interconnected group, and managers must recognize that their decisions affect more than just their immediate stakeholders.

In the MIM degree, Sustainable Business Management is taught in terms of sustainable leadership and sustainable business solutions. This includes understanding how to measure impact, how to understand levels of impact, and how to form strategies around positive outcomes. The coursework also prepares students to navigate sustainable initiatives and align themselves and their organizations around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Visit our MIM curriculum page to see the full list of Sustainable Business Management courses.

We require that applicants to the MIM program have at least one year of professional experience and a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution.

Generally, an MBA focuses on a wider range of business concepts — it includes leadership, but it will also include courses in finance, accounting, operations, and marketing. It is a good choice for someone with at least a few years of professional experience who is ready to step up in their career, whether that’s moving into an upper-level position at their company or switching into a new role or industry.

An MS in Management concentrates on the basic principles of running a business or organization. While it might cover topics like finance, analytics, or communications, these subjects are always connected back to the core theme of leadership and management. Essentially, the program teaches you how these areas play a crucial role in effectively guiding an organization. The USF MIM degree also includes a specific focus on sustainable business practices.

At USF, the MBA requires two years of professional experience, while the Master in Management requires one year of professional experience.

We welcome students from diverse experiences, so the backgrounds of our students vary. What the most successful students in our program have in common is: passion for technological innovation, aspirations to be ethical leaders, interest in the latest management research, and a commitment to pursuing values-driven careers that focus on sustainable and socially impactful solutions.

Diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are crucial in our classroom, and we emphasize students learning from their peers as much as their professors. This gives our students new perspectives on different industries, expanding their bird’s-eye-view of the business world. It also boosts our students' abilities to collaborate and communicate effectively.

No, we do not require either the GMAT or GRE to apply to our online graduate programs. However, you are welcome to submit test scores to strengthen your application.

International students may apply to the online Master of Business Administration program or the online Master of Science in Management program if they are already eligible to study in the United States. These online programs do not qualify students for an F-1 visa.

Please see our international students page for more information.

The USF school code for FAFSA is 001325.

We are happy to answer any questions you have about our degrees and what it’s like to be a USF student! There are three ways to get in touch: