“PBA’s intimate learning environment drew me back to its campus for graduate studies,” shared Chanel Nassir-Hessaraki. The PBA alumna is among over 800 graduates enrolled in either a master’s degree or doctoral program in fall 2024.
Nassir-Hessaraki, a two-time Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award recipient who pursued her undergraduate degree in international business at PBA, could have chosen from several graduate programs across the country. Still, she selected to return to her alma mater to pursue a master’s degree in international development. She chose the program for the way it is designed to meet the growing trends across several industries — but even more so, the exceptional care from faculty.
“One-on-one mentorship by professors and small classes sizes make all of the difference for me in my education experience,” added Nassir-Hessaraki, who works full time while pursuing her degree. “The university’s professors go beyond the books, they invest in the lives, hearts and passions of their students inside and outside of the classroom.”
Designed to Meet Growing Demands
PBA offers 16 master’s degrees and three doctoral programs, through a flexible combination of online and in-person classes on its West Palm Beach and Orlando campuses. There are several graduate business programs, including the master of accountancy degree (MAcc) and MBA, as well as innovative and dual degree options that are designed for success in leadership and business. PBA also offers degrees in clinical mental health counseling, health science and medical science. In response to the health care sector experiencing significant expansion and a growing focus on mental health services, PBA’s CACREP-accredited mental health counseling program addresses the critical need for counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22 percent growth in this field by 2032. This surge is driven by an increasing public awareness of the value of these services.
There are also dual degree options, such as the master of divinity and master of science in clinical mental health counseling (M.Div. + MSCMHC) and the doctor of pharmacy and MBA (PharmD + MBA). PBA’s graduate programs in pharmacy and nursing are designed to equip students for critical roles in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and senior administrators are expected to grow by an impressive 45 percent up to 2032, with average salaries exceeding $100,000. The University’s Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy (GSOP) also meets the demand for health care professionals, as pharmacists continue to play a vital role in patient care. Recent data shows GSOP graduates continue to excel, with first-time pass rates on the NAPLEX and MPJE surpassing national averages. This places GSOP among the top two performing schools in the state for both exams.
A Graduate Experience Rooted in Success
At PBA, students are equipped to succeed from day one. Joshua Tilus, class of 2024, earned a dual degree — a doctor of pharmacy and a master of business administration degree — a program uniquely designed to prepare students for leadership roles in pharmacy ownership and administration. This program equips graduates to excel in both clinical and business aspects of pharmacy.
Tilus’s mentor, Damien Simmons, owner of a pharmacy in Atlantis, Florida, took him under his wings and taught him how independent pharmacies work. Even before graduation, Tilus, with support from Simmons and a silent investor, acquired a pharmacy that’s part of a chain of 30 stores in Northwest Washington. The pharmacy will serve a rural community of over 3,000 people, improving access to medications for those within a 50-mile radius.
“PBA gives you everything you need if you’re willing to work for it,” said Tilus. “Not everything will be handed to you, but if you want something, PBA will help you get it if you’re willing to push for it.”
The PharmD + MBA program is further strengthened by PBA’s AACSB accreditation, ensuring students receive a top tier business education alongside their pharmacy training. In 2023, PBA earned AACSB accreditation for the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business. Widely regarded as the gold standard of business education, this accomplishment places PBA among the top six percent of all business schools around the world. PBA is one of only 10 Christian institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to receive this accreditation.
Additionally, PBA’s master of business administration (MBA) and master of accountancy (MAcc) programs are designed to position graduates for leadership roles in business and finance. As business leaders lean into artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), graduate programs must equip students to leverage AI/ML. PBA is leading the way, having recently launched three graduate business programs focused on data and innovation. The master of science in data analytics, a master of business administration in business analytics, and a master of accountancy and analytics all prepare students to effectively and responsibly leverage big data.
Growing Region, Growing Opportunity
West Palm Beach has garnered a new nickname from the influx of businesses that have moved to the area: “Wall Street South.” Over 200 financial firms have relocated to Palm Beach County in the last few years, including Goldman Sachs, Point72 and NewDay USA.
As companies continue to migrate to Palm Beach County, PBA students are met with increasing internship and employment opportunities at Fortune 500 companies. According to statistics from the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, there are over 18,000 companies that account for 250,000 Business and Financial Services jobs in the region, with salaries averaging more than $80,000.
If you are interested in a comprehensive graduate program and strong networking opportunities, learn more at www.pba.edu.
