Professional MBA
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications/Admissions
What do I need to submit for my application?
Have admissions requirements changed at all as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. Candidates who are unable to take the GMAT or GRE as a result of testing center closures and are unable to meet the at-home testing requirements by GMAT or GRE by ETS are encouraged to submit a COVID-19 GMAT/GRE waiver with their application. Please note that a waiver of the GMAT/GRE requirement does not guarantee admission to the PMBA.
How are the admissions criteria weighted?
Candidacy is assessed on the strength of the application as a whole and there tends to be broad variation in specific metrics across incoming classes. Competitive applicants tend to have strong GMAT or GRE scores, several years of quality work experience, and undergraduate GPAs 3.3 or higher.
Outstanding qualities or accomplishments in one area might overcome weakness in a different area.
Does my undergraduate degree or my professional experience have to be in business?
No. Applicants must hold a degree from an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States or from a recognized institution in a foreign country, but MBA students come from a myriad of backgrounds. They hold undergraduate degrees from a variety of areas, such as business, psychology, communications, medicine, education, engineering, arts, or architecture. Students work in fields as varied as sales, education, military, manufacturing, healthcare, marketing, technology, the arts, banking, or professional sports. The MBA curriculum is designed to ensure students can succeed regardless of their academic background.
What should I include in my résumé if I do not have extensive work experience?
Your résumé should note your academic record (degree(s) earned), academic honors and awards, internships, extra-curricular activities (including volunteering and community service), international experiences, and any other activities that demonstrate your leadership qualities. Of course, your résumé should also include your work experience. List any professional positions you have held, describe your job responsibilities, promotions, awards, leadership and management skills, and cite your experience working in teams.
Who is required to take the TOEFL?
We require TOEFL scores from applicants whose native language is not English or who earned baccalaureate degrees from non-English speaking institutions. Please see the graduate catalog for details on minimum score requirements.
Are three year degrees accepted?
Applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree with less than 120 hours, from Non-Bologna Accord Institutions, requires a transcript evaluation from a NACES member to confirm equivalency.
Is there a difference between the Professional MBA offered at the Tampa campus vs the Sarasota-Manatee campus?
Effective July 1, 2020, USF’s campuses have consolidated into a single accredited university. Student’s beginning the Professional MBA in the Fall 2020 term or later will have the same admissions requirements, degree requirements and access to resources, regardless of home campus. Indeed, they will all be in the same degree program. Some areas of emphasis or electives may only be available on one campus or the other.
Do I have to choose to apply to the Tampa or Sarasota-Manatee campus?
Professional MBA students enjoy the flexibility to take courses at either the Tampa or Sarasota-Manatee campuses. When applying for admission, students should select a home campus based on the campus they plan to attend most frequently during their studies. Some areas of emphasis or electives may only be available on one campus or the other. For more information, please contact a graduate recruiter.
What are the GMAT and GRE exams?
The GMAT and GRE are admission exams commonly required for graduate business school applications. The Muma College of Business does not have a preference for either exam, candidates are welcome to choose the exam they prefer.
For more information on the GMAT, visit the Graduate Management Admission Council’s website.
For more information on the GRE, visit Educational Testing Services’s (ETS) website.
Can the GMAT/GRE be waived?
GMAT/GRE waivers may be considered for candidates meeting certain criteria (please visit the USF Graduate Catalog for details. Candidates seeking a waiver are required to submit a GMAT/GRE Waiver Request form. PLEASE NOTE: Waiver forms will only be considered if the MBA Application is otherwise complete. Submitting a waiver form does not guarantee a waiver or admission will be granted.
How should I prepare for the GMAT or GRE?
MBA candidates are encouraged to prepare for either the GMAT or GRE. Most publishers of GMAT and GRE prep materials recommend 100 hours of preparation prior to taking either exam. Free test preparation information can be found for the GMAT on mba.com and for the GRE at ets.org/gre. USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Development offers GMAT and GRE preparation courses throughout the year. See their website for more details. Other candidates may explore test preparation services through other companies such as Sylvan Learning Centers and Kaplan (which also offer private tutoring and online prep courses of varying length and interactivity).
Curriculum
How long does it take to complete the MBA program?
While the program can be completed in as few as 12 months, students typically take 2-3 years to complete the degree, depending, of course, on the number of credits taken per semester. For detailed information on time to degree policies, please see the graduate catalog.
Can I transfer courses from another university's MBA program to USF's MBA program?
Credits may be transferred at the discretion of Muma College of Business. Only credits earned at an AACSB institution will be considered. Please see the graduate catalog for detailed information on transfer policies .
Do I have to commit to be a full-time or part-time MBA student?
The PMBA is a flexible MBA program, therefore, you do not have to commit to be either a full-time or part-time student. You are a full-time student by academic definition if you take at least nine credit hours per semester.
What accreditation does USF's MBA program hold?
USF's MBA program, along with the Muma College of Business and the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, is accredited by AACSB International – The Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is the highest level of accreditation for business schools worldwide, and less than 10% of all business schools hold such accreditation.
Does USF offer online courses in the MBA program?
Some courses are available in an online format. Most professors use CANVAS, a course management system as well as an online communication tool, to post readings, course assignments, book information, send email, and share other course-specific information whether the course is on campus or online. We also have a fully Online MBA program .
Career Development
Does the MBA program offer career development or placement services?
USF's Career Services coordinates USF's Career Fair and offers on-campus interviewing, job search workshops, mock interviews, and résumé referral services. Career Services' cooperative education program provides alternating terms of full-time study and full-time employment in a private enterprise or government agency over the course of the academic year.
The Muma College of Business Office of Employer Relations works jointly with Career Services to serve MBA students, offering an MBA Career Guide, detailed career advice, and résumé reviews. A number of specific career events are planned for MBA students to gain access to top employers. A calendar of career events, including company information sessions, on-site tours, and networking events, can be found online.