Specializations and Graduate Certificates

The Professional MBA program offers a variety of specializations, certificates and combination degrees for students to further enhance their skills and experience prior to graduation.

Specializations

Professional MBA students can tailor their education to fit their career aspirations by gaining expertise in a particular subject through a specialization. To complete a specialization, students must take a minimum of four of their electives in a single area.

The finance specialization prepares students for positions in financial services such as banking and investment management as well as corporate finance. Finance courses provide a core set of skills in financial modeling, valuation, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, financial reporting and analysis.

The innovation/entrepreneurship specialization develops skills in creating/launching new ventures, managing/funding small businesses and scalable new ventures, and directing the development of new products and services.

The international business specialization develops skills in doing business across national boundaries and diverse cultures. Course offerings include a study abroad experience to learn firsthand how business is conducted in other countries, international management, international finance and foreign legal systems.

The marketing specialization develops skills in marketing strategy, research and consumer behavior and is based on the perspective that marketing managers must view customers, products and services as assets. Courses in customer relationship management/data-mining and internet marketing are also offered.

The human resource management specialization provides students with knowledge in areas critical to working in human resources management, including human resources functional area knowledge, implementations in international contexts and process knowledge on such topics as negotiations, team management and leadership.

The operations and supply chain management specialization develops core skills in the areas of process design and improvement, forecasting and demand management, capacity planning, inventory management, global sourcing, supplier management, and supply chain risk management. Additionally, through elective courses, students have the option of further developing skills in project management, innovation, and service operations.

A specialization appears on the student's transcript but not the diploma. It is recommended that students add their functional specialization to the education section of their resume.

Graduate Certificates

PMBA students can add an optional 12-credit graduate certificate to their MBA to further expand their knowledge in key areas prior to graduation.

PMBA students have the option of using four of their elective courses to earn a Business Analytics Graduate Certificate. The certificate, designed to complement the PMBA curriculum and enhance the career opportunities of the students by providing critical skills in business analytics, requires 12 credit hours to complete. Certificate courses are offered in a distance-based, evening format.

View Business Analytics Certificate requirements.

PMBA students have the option to earn a Cybersecurity Management Graduate Certificate. This certificate is not a technical or computer science certificate but instead trains students on how to manage cybersecurity personnel or teams, building upon the management and business skill development that makes up the foundation of the PMBA curriculum coupled with curriculum from the international business and risk management disciplines.

View Cybersecurity Management Certificate requirements.

PMBA students have the option to earn a Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate. This certificate is designed for working professionals from any industry and prepares students to navigate the increasingly complex technological landscape that makes up today’s workforce. Students will learn how to manage science, technology and innovation within that workforce and can customize their elective choice to match individual goals and priorities.

View Strategic Innovation Certificate requirements.

This 12-credit hour certificate allows students to deepen their understanding of the key environmental, social, economic and governance issues facing society today. Through the program, students will learn about business challenges, risks and opportunities related to sustainability. Taking a multiple stakeholder approach, the certificate will give students the skills they need to critically analyze trade-offs and develop effective sustainability strategies.

View Sustainable Business Certificate requirements.

Combination Degrees

PMBA students interested in pursuing more than one degree can enroll in combination degree programs, which allow them to earn both their MBA and a second degree at the same time.

The Pharm.D. / MBA Combination Degree is intended for current University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy students who are interested in managerial and executive positions in areas such as hospitals and health care systems, community chain pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care or academia. Students who are interested in owning their own pharmacy or pharmaceutical-oriented business are especially well suited for this degree.

View Pharm. D./MBA Program requirements.