Curriculum
The Professional MBA program is 48 credit hours (16 courses) and has no prerequisite course work. The 10 core courses build a fundamental business knowledge base. Students learn to apply their knowledge to real-world business situations using models and problem-solving tools presented in the classroom.
The curriculum requires six electives. Three to five electives are offered each term. Elective offerings include blended learning formats, modified class meeting times, and a week-long study abroad learning experience. Electives allow students to build core competencies in business areas such as management, marketing, finance, economics and international business. Click on Electives for a detailed list.
The core courses listed below are offered at least once per calendar year. Course descriptions are available on the University of South Carolina Web site at http://bulletin.sc.edu/
- Financial Accounting (ACCT 728)
- Organization Behavior (MGMT 770)
- Managerial Accounting (ACCT 729)
- Quantitative Methods (MGSC 711)
- Financial Policies (FINA 760)
- Marketing Management (MKTG 701)
- Operations Management (MGSC 791)
- Information Systems (MGSC 796)
- Managerial Economics (ECON 720)
- Strategic Management (MBAD 702)
ACADEMIC SCHEDULE
Currently, the PMBA program is operating with three 12-week and one 6-week terms each calendar year. In August 2013 the program will move to six 7-week terms for the entire year. The 2013 PMBA Course Schedule may be viewed as a PDF for detailed information about the class schedules as well as previous electives offered.
The PMBA program is centered around the ability to attend class at one of seven locations: Aiken, Bluffton, Columbia, Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville and Spartanburg. During the 7-week terms, most classes will meet one night per week (Monday through Thursday) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the locations. Classes are interactive and engaging, centering around material application, student presentations, case analysis, problem-solving and question and answer. Prior to the class time, students will have taken part in some asynchronous activities such as prerecorded lectures and discussion boards
Weeknight classes are available in real-time at the class locations and anywhere with a high-speed internet connection, as well as the morning following the class in a delay streaming video format.
A few required courses will be structured into a format of three Saturday classes at the USC Columbia campus along with some asynchronous sessions. Saturday sessions will allow for in-depth activities that are more suited for the subject matter and provide a meaningful education experience.
COURSE SEQUENCES
Students may enter the PMBA program in the Spring I or Fall I terms and should follow the proposed PMBA Course Sequences for that entry term. Each sequence calls for taking Financial Accounting before Managerial Accounting and Quantitative Methods before continuing forward in the curriculum. Those courses provide a basic quantitative foundation necessary to be successful in the rest of the courses.
ACADEMIC TERMS
Click here for the current PMBA Academic Calendar.
- Spring I Term - January to February
- Spring II Term - March to April
- Summer I Term - May to June
- Summer II Term - July to August
- Fall I Term - August to October
- Fall II Term - October to December
