Midlands Business Profiles
Midlands Profiles
USC Professional MBA Program
It's not too late, thanks to the University of South Carolina's Professional MBA program. Begun in 1970, the PMBA program at USC was a pioneer in incorporating distance learning. Thanks to technology, you don't have to drive to the Columbia campus to attend evening classes. Instead, you can commute to more than 20 locations across the state and one location in Charlotte. Contributing to the program's flexibility is that the evening classes are offered year-round, meaning you can enroll in either January, April, July or September. You don't have to take valuable time away from work to further your career.
"When we talk about the PMBA program, we stress quality and flexibility," said Dr. Tom Madden, director of the program and a faculty member since 1986. "Our classes are broadcast live and are available by delayed streaming video so if you miss a class you can catch-up later. PMBA classes are taught by the same faculty who teach in the world renowned International MBA Program in the Moore School of Business," Madden said.
"One of the advantages of the PMBA program is the diversity of our students," Madden said. "A large percentage of the students have engineering degrees, but we get people from all backgrounds — healthcare, information technology and finance, to name a few. It makes the classroom environments very dynamic and educationally rewarding."
Classes are held in the evenings and select Saturdays, and are designed for working professionals ready to take the next step in their careers. The curriculum is built around 10 core courses that focus on establishing a strong knowledge base. Students may tailor the program to best fit their career field through elective courses, including Strategic Information Management, Survey of International Business, and Project Management. Beginning this summer a new elective is being offered – an off-shore experience. Some of the countries to be visited are Austria, Ireland, Slovakia and Africa.
"The program has helped me develop new skills which I can apply at work," said student, Paige Lane with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of SC. "Group projects allow networking with other students who come from different professions. Classmates with a wide range of experience as well as professors who are experts in their fields enhance the PMBA program. Being able to continue to gain critical work experience while at the same time obtaining an MBA from the Moore School of Business is an investment that I feel will yield a significant return."
