Business Administration, P.M.B.A.

Admission

Requirements for admission to the program conform to the general regulations of The Graduate School and the accreditation standards of AACSB International-the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Each candidate’s application is reviewed holistically, taking into account factors such as experience, standardized test scores, trends in academic performance, rigor of both undergraduate institution and degree program, grades in courses requiring quantitative, analytical and communication skills, letters of reference, leadership activities and personal statement, as well as other potential indicators of maturity and motivation. Experience is weighted heavily during the application review process. GMAT/GRE test scores are optional for applicants who do not already have these test scores on file with USC but may be recommended for some applicants without relevant work experience or academic backgrounds. Please contact our recruiting team to discuss your individual circumstances. Prospective students can apply online.

International applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit a satisfactory score on the PTE Academic or IELTS International Academic Course Type 2 exam. Otherwise-qualified candidates are required to achieve a TOEFL score of at least iBT 100 or 600 paper-based or a score of at least 7.0 on the IELTS exam. The TOEFL is not required of international students who have a degree from an American college or university. Graduates of foreign universities or colleges who have completed an academic program equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution are encouraged to apply for admission.

Please visit the Professional MBA program's website for admissions information.

Degree Requirements (48 Hours)

Coursework (27 Hours)

Course Title Credits
ACCT 725Financial Accounting for Professional MBA Students3
ACCT 726Managerial Accounting for Professional MBA Students3
MGSC 711Quantitative Methods in Business3
ECON 720Managerial Economics3
FINA 760Financial Policies3
MBAD 702Strategic Management3
MGMT 770Competing Through People3
MGSC 791Operations Management3
MKTG 701Marketing Management3
Total Credit Hours27

Elective Courses in the Moore School of Business (21 Hours)

These electives are chosen from a number of approved elective offerings of the Moore School of Business.

International Business Concentration

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.

Course Title Credits
IBUS 750Exploring Global Business3
Select three of the following:9
Any IBUS 700-level course
Human Resources and the Global Firm
Global Sourcing: Strategies and Applications
Total Credit Hours12

Finance Concentration

An emphasis in finance will prepare students for senior positions in financial service industries such as banking and investment management firms, as well as corporate finance positions. Finance courses provide a core set of skills in financial modeling, valuation, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, financial reporting and analysis.

Course Title Credits
FINA 761Advanced Financial Management3
FINA 762Investment Management3
Select two of the following:6
Derivative Products and Analysis
Risk Management
Financial Statement Analysis
Management of Financial Institutions
Real Estate Finance
Fixed-Income Securities
Project Finance
Entrepreneurial Finance and the Dynamics of Emerging Ventures
International Financial Management
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Total Credit Hours12

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Concentration

The innovation and entrepreneurship concentration focuses on providing PMBA students with the skills and competencies needed to excel in the following areas:

  • developing and launching new ventures, whether as standalone entities or as new businesses within established corporations
  • managing and funding small businesses and scalable new ventures
  • directing the development of new products and services
  • ensuring that appropriate strategies are in place to protect/appropriate the value associated with these new ideas and initiatives
Course Title Credits
Select four of the following:12
International Intellectual Property Management
International Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
Strategic Analysis and Application of Innovation
Strategic Innovation Planning and Processes
Innovation and New Venture Analysis
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurial Finance and the Dynamics of Emerging Ventures
Innovation and Design
Project Management
Total Credit Hours12

Marketing Concentration

Marketing managers must see customers, products and services as assets. The PMBA Marketing Concentration builds skills in marketing strategy, research and consumer behavior. Courses in customer relationship management/datamining and internet marketing are also offered.

Course Title Credits
Select four of the following:12
Marketing Research
Consumer Behavior
Marketing Communications
Product and Branding Policies
Customer Relationship Management and Data Mining
Topics in Marketing Thought and Practice
Pricing Strategy and Analysis
Fundamentals of Marketing Analytics
Social and Digital Media Strategies for Businesses
Business to Business Marketing
Sales: Process, People and Performance
Total Credit Hours12

Human Resources Management Concentration

Four courses are to be selected from the following list. Not all courses will be available at all times. Electives targeting Human Resource Management include:

Course Title Credits
Select four of the following:12
Human Resources and the Global Firm
Managing Cross-border Teams
Management of Human Resources
Management of Compensation
Staffing
Labor Relations
Human Resource and Business Strategy
Consulting and Organizational Development in MNCs
Negotiations
Employee and Leadership Development
Organizational Misconduct
Special Topics in Business (If special topics course focuses on human resources; when in doubt, students should check with PMBA student services)
Specialized Study in International Business
Total Credit Hours12

Note: While all courses listed count toward the HRM concentration, for those committed to pursuing a career in HRM we strongly encourage taking three of the following four courses: MGMT 718, MGMT 720, MGMT 726 and MGMT 772.

Operations and Supply Chain Management Concentration 

To complete the concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management, students must take a minimum of four of their electives in that area (12 total credit hours). Not all courses will be available at all times.

Course Title Credits
The following two courses are required for the concentration:
MGSC 771Global Sourcing: Strategies and Applications3
MGSC 776Supply Chain Modeling3
Select two of the following courses:6
Project Management
Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain
Revenue Management
Innovation and Design
Service Operations Management
Total Credit Hours12

P.M.B.A. Banking Track (39 Hours)

The banking track of the Professional MBA program is designed for students and graduates of several graduate schools of banking with whom the program has signed Memoranda of Understanding.  Students in the banking track are required to take the same 9 required courses and plus 4 electives for a total of 39 credit hours.