Overview
The nationally ranked MBA program helps students develop analytical skills and creative abilities, and promotes collaboration with experienced and diverse classmates. In USF's MBA you will learn from world-class faculty, guest speakers and leaders of industry. The MBA can be completed on the Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
View BrochureEvening Program
Tampa Campus
The Professional Evening MBA offers a flexible schedule with evening classes held Monday through Thursday at the USF Tampa campus, along with online and hybrid options. With courses available in 1-week, 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week formats, students can fast-track their program or choose a pace that fits their lifestyle. Designed for working professionals, full-time students, and international scholars, the program emphasizes student care scheduling, reducing evening classes to two-hour sessions from 6:30-8:30 pm EST for better work-life balance.
Weekend Program
Sarasota-Manatee Campus
The Professional Weekend MBA features hybrid course delivery based on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Courses meet for live, in person sessions one Saturday per month, balanced with online learning between sessions. This allows students to maintain a consistent balance among their professional obligations, personal responsibilities and academic endeavors.
The term "data analytics" may seem numerical and cold on its surface, but it can take many human forms in business: A boss going on a reality TV show to find out what her employees really think of corporate. A sports team figuring out how much its fans are willing to pay for prime tickets. FedEx deciding to deliver on Mother's Day so moms can receive flowers, but not on most Sundays. Businesses have mountains of data that can tell them what is happening now and to make educated guesses about what might happen tomorrow – but this information is only useful when it can be understood. Not everyone can look at that data and make a connection to the profit and loss statements.
Although creativity is considered an innate skill, research has shown creativity can and should be cultivated in the classroom. While creativity transcends traditional ideas to create new forms, methods, and interpretations, analytics are utilized to describe, predict, and improve business performance. These two competencies provide our students with a competitive advantage.
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Students can choose electives according to their career aspirations. The USF Muma College of Business has strengths in business analytics and creativity that are woven into the core curriculum. In consultation with an academic advisor, students can choose a series of electives across a broad range of disciplines, or develop an emphasis in a given area. Electives are available in the following disciplines:
- Business Analytics
- Creativity and Innovation
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Global Business
- Healthcare Management
- Information Technology Management
- Leadership
- Marketing Strategy
- Project and Process Management
- Sustainable Business
Finance Concentration
In addition to the individualized areas of emphasis above, Professional MBA students can elect to add a Finance Concentration to the degree program. This concentration strengthens the financial acumen of MBA students. Students who intend to work in the financial services sector will benefit from the tailored elective offerings in areas like financial modeling, investments, and capital markets. Those that seek leadership roles in business will benefit from the analytical and creative thinking mindset this concentration encourages, facilitating improved problem-solving techniques. Concentrations differ from individualized areas of emphasis in that they appear as a stated credential on a student’s transcript upon graduation, and specific courses will be required as electives.
Expanded Leadership Development and Engaging Experiential Learning
Team collaborations are part of your learning experience at USF that help hone students' leadership skills in real life situations. Most courses require collaboration with a team of students in order to do research, analyze case studies, and deliver presentations. The capstone course is Integrated Business Applications, involving an in-depth consulting project for a live company in strategy, marketing and finance with actionable recommendations.
Additionally, the college offers courses in leadership and invite C-level executive speakers with respected and proven leadership skills to share their best practices. Muma College of Business MBA students learn from well-credentialed faculty as well as industry leaders.
Case Competitions
The Muma College of Business hosts an in-person case competition where small teams of Muma College of Business graduate students analyze a case, come up with a solution, and deliver the recommendation all within a short timeframe! Students are eligible to win cash prizes during this competition.
Career Advancement Assistance
Most people choose to pursue an MBA to advance their careers – or change professions. USF staff make this easier by providing a myriad of services to help. Professional staff are always available to provide feedback on résumés or to help prepare cover letters as students apply for jobs. Staff offer professional development programs throughout the year, too, including workshops that focus on how to land an interview, business etiquette, and showcasiing your skills and talents to a potential employer.
Embracing a Global Approach
The Muma College of Business MBA curriculum takes an international approach as faculty include international business models and case studies as part of the classroom discussion. Additionally, USF fosters relationships promoting international faculty and student exchanges. The college and university host many international students and bring in scholars from all over the world, ensuring diverse viewpoints are part of the conversation.
This global approach extends to study abroad opportunities. USF offers study abroad experiences for graduate students — shorter experiences for working adults as well as semester-long opportunities for those who are able to spend more time overseas. These powerful educational experiences help students understand how business differs from nation to nation and helps them learn how to adapt and succeed in a changing business world.
Admissions Requirements
Admission decisions are based on the strength of the application. Outstanding qualities in one area may compensate for weakness in another. Competitive applicants tend to have strong GMAT or GRE scores, several years of quality work experience, and undergraduate GPAs 3.3 or higher.
Application Requirements
All candidates seeking admission to the Professional MBA must submit the following:
- Online application and $30 application fee
- Transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution in the U.S. or foreign equivalent
- GMAT or GRE score*
- Statement of purpose
- Résumé
- Three reference letters (at least one must be from a professional reference)
*The GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for candidates that meet certain conditions.
Please submit a GMAT/GRE waiver request with your complete application in order to be considered for a waiver.
Additional details regarding admission requirements and application deadlines may be found in the graduate catalog.