Applicants are required to have at least two years of full-time, professional experience. The ability to contribute real-world knowledge adds value to classroom discussions and enriches the learning experience for all students.

Submitted resumes should be accomplishment based and include job responsibilities (current and past positions) that specifically demonstrate applied quantitative and analytical skills. Candidates are also encouraged to highlight leadership and management experience. Resumes submitted during the application process may be longer than one page, as the primary concern is for candidates to comprehensively convey their professional experience.

You can attach unofficial transcripts to your online application for the review process.  Transcripts are required from every institution attended for course credit, even if a degree was not awarded.  Official transcripts are required for enrollment and must be sent before the end of your first term to continue in the program.  Documentation includes grade sheets, a statement of degree(s) awarded and the date each degree was conferred.  International universities often have separate grade sheets and certificates showing proof of degree. 

Electronic Transcript Service (Clearinghouse, EScript, Parchment):
gradinfo@moore.sc.edu 

Mail Transcripts:
Graduate Admissions
Darla Moore School of Business
1014 Greene Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29208 

Note: the digital transcript service SPEEDE only sends documents to Undergraduate Admissions.  Once you receive confirmation that your SPEEDE transcript has been downloaded, please forward the notification to gradinfo@moore.sc.edu so we can request your transcript to be sent to us. 

Any applicant who can demonstrate strong quantitative skills through their prior academic work and/or recent professional experiences may apply for admission to the PMBA Program without a standardized test score.

Candidates who meet several of the following criteria may be admitted without a test score:

• Demonstrated undergraduate or graduate-level quantitative coursework with a minimum grade of “B” or better in at least two rigorous quantitative classes
• Two or more years of post-undergraduate professional full-time work experience in a quantitative, mathematical, or analytical field where your job responsibilities require rigorous quantitative analysis
• Professional or U.S. military experience that demonstrates applied quantitative and analytical skills
• Professional certifications with a quantitative focus such as PE, CPA, CFA, FINRA, Six Sigma, etc.
• Advanced degrees (Graduate, masters, or professional degrees)

The PMBA Admissions Committee cannot provide a review of your application, experiences, or coursework prior to submitting your application and any application fees are non-refundable. 

Based on our assessment, we could require that you either submit a GRE/GMAT score or you may be recommended to complete additional quantitative coursework such as MBA math in lieu of the standardized test score. If you do not meet the criteria above or if you have doubts about meeting the quantitative criteria stated, we encourage you to speak to your recruiter regarding your application and if you should apply without a test score. 

For applicants who prefer to submit a test score as part of their application, or are subsequently required to submit a test score, the following test validation must be met:

Applicants must provide a valid (five years old or less) Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score to be considered for admission to the PMBA program. The GMAT and GRE are composed of verbal, quantitative and analytical sections. The GMAT institutional/program code for the Moore School is JV2-TP-50. The GRE code for USC is 5818.

Two professional letters of recommendation are required for the admission review. Recommendations should be written by current or former managers/directors, colleagues with MBA degrees, senior leaders in organizations that you have worked with, or customers and clients. Some items to address in the recommendation include performance (current or prior), industry knowledge, ability to work with teams, project management skills and leadership potential.

Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose essay for admission consideration. The statement of purpose should be 500 – 750 words in length and describe the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for pursuing an MBA. Specifically, it should address the following questions:

1. What are some of the challenges/issues currently being faced by your organization or in your career that you hope to learn how to resolve or respond to through the PMBA program curriculum?

2. What can you contribute to the learning experience in the Professional MBA Program based on your professional experience and industry knowledge?

If an applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA was less than a 2.75, they will be asked to provide a separate essay (200 – 500 words) addressing the major factors that contributed to the academic challenges, what was learned from the experience and why they believe they are prepared to be a successful MBA student.

Candidates with a GPA below 2.75 will be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must enroll in 6 credit hours for their first semester and achieve a 3.0 GPA to maintain their enrollment in the PMBA program.

International applicants who do not hold a degree from a United States institution must also submit a valid (no more than two years old) test score demonstrating their command of the English language. The minimum score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is 95 (internet-based). The TOEFL institutional code for the Darla Moore School of Business is 5818. The minimum score for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is 7.0. Please make sure you select the University of South Carolina as a score recipient when taking the test. Some applicants may qualify for a TOEFL exemption. Contact a PMBA recruiter today to learn more.

Access the online application.

If you have questions regarding the PMBA program or your application:

Email Kath Rollins or make an appointment with Kathy Rollins

Email Lauren West or make an appointment with Lauren West