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The University of Southern Mississippi’s part-time Master of Business Administration degree program has been recognized among the nation’s best in rankings just released by U.S. News & World Report. The USM program is the only part-time program from Mississippi ranked in the Top 200.
Part-time business programs provide an important alternative for working people who are unable to attend school full time for family or financial reasons. Currently, 75 percent of USM’s MBA students are part-time working professionals with an average of seven years full-time working experience.
“We are very proud of our part-time MBA program and students, and of the diversity of this group,” said Dr. Beth LaFleur, Associate Dean and MBA Director in the USM College of Business. “Our part-time MBA students work in business, industry, educational and governmental positions across the Gulf South Region. Regardless of educational background, these students value the managerial, analytical and strategic decision-making skills offered by our program.”
The U.S. News part-time rankings are based on five factors:
Average peer assessment score (50 percent of the school’s overall score).
Average GMAT score and average GRE quantitative and verbal scores of part-time MBA students entering in fall 2016 (15 percent). U.S. News uses both GMAT and GRE scores if an MBA program reports both, which allows us to take into account the admissions test scores of the entire entering class.
Average undergraduate GPA of part-time MBA students entering in fall 2016 (5 percent).
Number of years of work experience of part-time MBA students entering in fall 2016, with more experience scoring higher in the rankings (15 percent).
Percentage of the business school’s fall 2016 MBA enrollment that is in the part-time MBA program, with a higher percentage that is part time scoring higher in the rankings (15 percent).
The statistical data were collected in fall 2016 and early 2017.
“The U.S. News ranking reflects assessments by deans in our peer institutions as well as the quality of our admission standards, among other significant criteria,” said Dr. Faye Gilbert, Dean of the USM College of Business. “Our MBA program also provides students with the option of taking classes in person or online, full-time or part-time. At Southern Miss, we are cultivating talent and inspiring the changes needed to prepare students for the next era of business opportunities.”
Darcie Graham, Graduate Program and Grants Coordinator at the University’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, pursued her MBA through the part-time program, while continuing to work full-time. Graham completed the program in two years, which included three electives she took over two summer semesters.
“The online, hybrid, and night class options are vital for part-time students,” said Graham. “Having flexible options that fit my work schedule was critical and contributed to my ability to complete the program in two years.”
To see the complete U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit: To learn more about USM’s part-time MBA program, call the Hattiesburg campus at 601.266.4659 (https://www.usm.edu/business) or the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach at 228.214.3447 (https://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/business)
