The Master of Business Administration degree is a highly recognizable degree that teaches a solid framework of business and leadership competencies.
It is customary for an MBA program to focus on key areas such as the following:
- Leadership styles and skills
- Effective communication
- Ethical decision-making
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
Students can expect an MBA program to deliver a curriculum that is broad in scope, making this degree a good choice for individuals in a wide range of industries and organizations. However, some schools do offer specialization options for MBA students.
Some specializations include:
- Sports business: An MBA with an Emphasis in Sports Business is an option to consider for those who are interested in working in the sports industry. It combines business and sports knowledge to help graduates pursue career paths in this industry.
- Project management: An MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management teaches students a deeper understanding of management and leadership and may help prepare them to apply that knowledge to managerial roles, such as general manager or director of operations.
- Finance: A Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Finance offers a curriculum that emphasizes financial principles and strategies.
- Health systems management: For individuals with a passion for the healthcare field as well as business, an MBA with an Emphasis in Health Systems Management can provide an opportunity to learn competencies in healthcare policies and finances, as well as leadership skills.
- Marketing: Businesses rely on marketing experts when seeking to connect a product or service with an audience. An MBA with an Emphasis in Marketing can be an ideal choice for aspiring marketing executives.
- Strategic human resource management: Students with an interest in HR may choose to pursue an MBA with an Emphasis in Strategic Human Resource Management. This specialization revolves around management skills needed for hiring and retaining employees.
In a Master of Business Administration degree, students will typically take courses across multiple topic areas. These include accounting, finance, marketing and operations management. Students who choose an MBA degree with a specialization will also take courses pertaining to that specialization. For example, students earning an MBA with an Emphasis in Sports Business will examine broad topics like managerial finance, applied business statistics and economics, as well as specialized topics like sports business analytics and sports business revenue generation.
MBA students can expect to work through a curriculum that emphasizes online learning experiences for greater flexibility and convenience, which may allow MBA students to balance school, work and personal life.
Some MBA students may choose to focus on building professional networks through on-campus events along with online or on-campus evening courses. MBA students can make the most of their time in school by making new acquaintances — perhaps connecting with a mentor and building connections at companies they may one day work for or with.
