Business Professional MBA program is ranked No. 1 in South Carolina and No. 27 in the country for part-time MBA programs, according to U.S. News & World Report‘s Best Graduate Schools publication for 2023.
“The Professional MBA program continuing to rank No. 1 in South Carolina and in the top 30 in the nation for part-time MBA programs shows our commitment to educating working professionals so they can climb higher in their organization’s executive leadership roles or pivot to entirely new careers,” said Darla Moore School of Business Dean Peter Brews. “Professional MBA program students not only learn from our distinguished faculty, but they also benefit from each of their colleagues coming from a range of industries and sharing their own experiences. Most Moore School Professional MBA program graduates see an immediate return on investment and can actually take what they’re learning in their courses and directly apply it to their companies while they’re completing the program.”
The first of its kind when it launched in 1970, the Moore School’s Professional MBA program offers a flexible, part-time format that allows professionals to complete their MBAs while working. The program can be completed in two years and has start dates in both January and August. Regional classrooms connected via tele-presence technology allow students to interact with peers across eight different locations on evenings and select Saturdays. On-demand access in real time and delayed enables students to take classes on a schedule that meets the needs of today’s working professional potentially balancing their job, family and coursework.
“The Moore School is continuing to provide a high-quality part-time MBA program,” said John Jones, managing director for the Professional MBA program. “Our Professional MBA program prepares candidates for career advancement or entirely new careers with a comprehensive curriculum with the flexibility working professionals need. Learning from top-notch faculty, Professional MBA program students are also exposed to an invaluable variety of perspectives among their peers in the program. Graduates of the program go on to advance and compete for leadership positions in their companies.”
For alumna Sandra McNeal, ’21, she immediately saw a return on her investment in the Professional MBA program. When she began the program, she was the vice president and senior client service manager for public U.S. accounts with Nuveen, a TIAA company.
“The Professional MBA program helped excel my career in a very short time,” she said. “About one month after receiving acceptance into the PMBA program, I received notification that I was selected to participate in my company’s leadership program.”
Along with participating in the leadership program, McNeal earned a promotion in January 2022 after graduating from the PMBA program in December 2021; her new role is vice president, head of Americas client services with Nuveen, part of TIAA, a Forbes 500 multinational company.
Like McNeal, Jack Johnson III, ’20, wanted to hone his business skills to complement his position as a technical specialist with BASF, a Forbes 500 chemical company that serves virtually all end markets globally.
“The Professional MBA program really changed my world view when it comes to my job and BASF’s role in the world,” Johnson said. “I have always understood how the chemistry works but now am armed with an understanding of how the business works, why the business is organized in the way it is and what to consider from a business perspective for future growth. I know this experience will open up a world of exciting opportunities in the future.”
Also interested in propelling her career, Professional MBA program alumna Dipali Patel, ‘21, chose the part-time PMBA program for its trusted reputation and highly regarded faculty.
“To be the best, you need to get taught by the best, you have to surround yourself by those that are the best and those that will challenge you,” said Patel, who is a financial advisor for Wells Fargo in Greenville, South Carolina. “The Darla Moore School of Business is ranked top in the country for its international business programs and other high-ranking programs. This prominent recognition can only be awarded when every faculty member holds themselves to the highest standards. I knew by joining the Professional MBA program, I would be under their leadership and guidance, and I wanted that level of accountability.”
Leading research and clinical faculty who teach in the PMBA program come from a variety of specialties and industries and weave into their lectures timely topics related to real-world business issues.
With eight regional classrooms in South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, the Moore School’s Professional MBA program provides a flexible format with two-way livestreaming video conferencing for in-person interaction between students and faculty. Since students are balancing full-time jobs and family life with the program, they also have options to view the delayed recording of classes on their own time. Learn more about the Professional MBA program.