Moore School partners with the College of Engineering and Computing to launch combination degree options, course exchanges
The Darla Moore School of Business and the College of Engineering and Computing are creating combination degrees for students who want to pursue a One-Year MBA or Master of Science in Business Analytics degree after their undergraduate degree.
Moore School Dean Rohit Verma and College of Engineering and Computing Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri announced at a March 14 signing ceremony the launch of a joint pathway to the One-Year MBA or MSBA degree for undergraduate College of Engineering and Computing seniors.
“I think there’s a lot of potential for our two schools to collaborate,” said William Hauk, economics associate professor and academic director of Professional MBA programs at the Moore School. “The future of South Carolina is the economy, and we want to make sure that students have the administrative skills to take their ideas and convert them into great things for our South Carolina economy, which makes this collaboration exciting.”
The agreement provides a pathway for undergraduates of the College of Engineering and Computing with a 3.2 or higher GPA to gain admission into the One-Year MBA or MSBA degree program at the Darla Moore School of Business.
“I am an engineer myself by training as an undergraduate and got a chance to get a business degree later,” Verma said. “Engineers make really good business students regardless of the subject. Whether it’s marketing, sales, operation supply chain, international business, or finance; all of these areas you look at, you find many successful engineering and business graduates.”
While on the outside many wouldn’t think to combine the world of engineering and business, Haj-Hariri said he echoes Verma’s sentiments about the possibilities for students who enroll in this new program.
“It's a wonderful program for our students. I'm delighted with the engineering and computing background that we give our students, and the tools that we get from your MBA going forward,” Haj-Hariri said. “The sky is the limit.”
The joining of the two degrees forges a unique partnership through continued education, offering technically skilled business graduates who are in high demand at top organizations.
“This new partnership will bring on a new experience for our students and ultimately create amazing pathways for career options,” said Diondra Black, assistant director of full-time MBA programs.
The first student admitted to the new program, William Joyce, a spring 2024 graduate majoring in mechanical engineering, was present during the signing ceremony to announce his enrollment.
“It’s a great honor to be the first student in the program — it wasn’t something I expected upon submitting my application,” Joyce said. “The One-Year MBA will help me reach my dream of becoming a project manager.”
Along with the undergraduate pathway to the One-Year MBA and MSBA programs, the Moore School and the College of Engineering and Computing announced an agreement to allow students to access courses offered by either school as approved by their graduate program.
-Christian Osborne