USF launches MBAs in blue economy, personal financial planning, and healthcare leadership

• Elizabeth L Brown
• July 15, 2024
• Business News

TAMPA - Beginning this fall, students seeking an MBA at the University of South Florida will have three new offerings to consider. The new concentrations - blue economy, personal financial planning, and healthcare leadership - are designed to address the evolving needs of the global market.

The new options allow MBA students to build expertise in a specific domain, in addition to the fundamental leadership skills earning an MBA degree brings.

"These innovative concentrations allow early-career professionals to skill up and later professionals the chance to pivot into a new field," said Eric Douthirt, director of the MBA programs at the USF Muma College of Business. "The demand for business leadership in these fields is growing exponentially."

This year, Fortune ranked USF's online MBA program among the nation's top 10, and U.S. News and World Report survey placed USF's online MBA program among the country's top 25.

Blue economy MBA

Developed in partnership with the USF College of Marine Science, the blue economy concentration is tailored for professionals who want to lead in maritime trade, coastal tourism and fisheries management.

Available through the online MBA program, this customized area of study addresses the sustainable use of ocean resources to support economic growth, and improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.

"At USF, we are poised to train the best leaders in blue economy sectors. Our coastal location and world-renowned oceanographers are an asset to professionals looking to skill up in this space," said David Naar, associate dean for academic programs at the USF College of Marine Science.

"Sectors in the blue economy are growing faster than the national economy at large, and we are excited to be a part of it," he said.

The marine economy contributed a total of $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, making up nearly 2% of the nation's gross domestic product, according to statistics released in June by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The marine sector generated $777 billion in sales, and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2022.

Personal financial planning MBA

Also available through the online MBA program is one focusing on personal financial planning. This concentration equips students with the expertise to navigate the complex world of wealth management and retirement planning.

With an emphasis on ethics and fiduciary responsibility, graduates are expected to emerge as trusted advisors capable of guiding clients through the intricacies of financial decision-making. Graduates earn education credit toward their Certified Financial Planner designation in addition to the MBA.

Healthcare Leadership Executive MBA

The healthcare leadership concentration is offered in the Executive MBA program. It is designed for healthcare professionals in clinical and non-clinical roles, who want to move toward senior leadership positions.

The curriculum delves into strategic management, policy analysis, and the unique challenges of healthcare delivery systems, preparing students to become visionary leaders in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

These innovative MBA options expand the existing offerings currently available to students, which include cybersecurity; compliance, risk and anti-money laundering; data analytics; finance; healthcare analytics; and sport management.

"These concentrations reflect the college's commitment to innovation," Douthirt said. "We recognize the critical need for specialized knowledge in these areas. Growing leaders in these fields contributes to a significant economic and social impact."