The Master of Business Administration is a 54-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in Business Administration offered by the Flinders Business School within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. It articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. The sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards.

Students can choose to study topics online, face to face or mixed mode.

Students may tailor their own program in the Master of Business Administration to meet their own needs or elect to complete a specialised program of study. This degree offers the business acumen required by graduates of all disciplines, and specialised knowledge to enhance career opportunities in specific fields, particularly for those entering such organisations or progressing their profession in management or consulting positions

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration normally receive credit for up to 36 units of topics towards the Masters degree.

Alternatively, students enrolled directly in the Masters program may choose only to meet the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma and exit with that qualification.

A 72-unit Master of Business program is also offered. Students seeking to complete this award should refer to the relevant course rule.

Students will choose to apply for either the:

Or one of the following named specialisations:

The specialisation will be identified on the student’s transcript of academic record and on the parchment presented to the student on completion of the course.

Admission requirements

Applicants will normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution OR have completed the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Applicants are also required to have at least three years of work experience.

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

Non-business specialisations have slightly different entry requirements from the business specialisations in the MBA in order to ensure they admit students appropriately qualified in the specific discipline:

  • entry to the Master of Business Administration (Education) requires a bachelor degree in an education-related field from an approved tertiary institution plus at least 3 years professional experience working in an education related field
  • entry to the Master of Business Administration (Health) requires a bachelor degree in a health-related field from an approved tertiary institution plus at least 4 years professional experience working in the health or aged care industries
  • applicants with a bachelor degree in a health-related field and at least 3 years experience in the health industry and who study part-time (and thus add to professional experience whilst studying) can also apply for the Master of Business Administration (Health).

Course aims

The course is designed to provide a strong foundation of business knowledge, skills and attitudes to support ethical, global business management of organisations including private sector business organisations, not-for-profit organisations and public organisations. Through experiential learning techniques students will develop knowledge and skills to conduct independent research, carry out industry and discipline related projects, and relate their learning to their individual business experience.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Explain the role of and apply economics, accounting, financial management, human resource management and marketing knowledge and skills in decision making and management of organisations.
  • Recognise the potential impact of local and global economic conditions and events, with emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, on the operations and strategic management of organisations.
  • Apply sound financial management techniques and analytical skills to the operations and strategic management of their organisations.
  • Apply contemporary strategic management practices compatible with organisational sustainability, ethical behaviour and effective workforce relations.
  • Describe a range of research methods useful in the conduct of industry and organisation based projects, and discuss their benefits and limitations.
  • Work both individually and in groups to conduct business research and critically evaluate the findings to solve business related problems.
  • Present theoretical concepts and complex ideas in both written and verbal formats appropriate for a range of stakeholder audiences.