A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a graduate-level degree program. It is suited for everyone who wishes to acquire new skills and knowledge that will help them reach for leadership positions within business organizations. Individuals who earn an MBA degree can work within virtually any industry. An MBA degree may help boost your career regardless of whether you work in the public, private or nonprofit sector as it provides the necessary business tools, communications skills and critical thinking perspective needed in today’s changing world.

What Are MBA Programs Like?

Earning your MBA no longer requires you to pack up your home and move closer to campus—no matter where in the world you live. Many business schools now offer online learning opportunities, enabling you to complete your degree requirements from anywhere. This is an ideal choice for business professionals who wish to continue working at their current company while studying on the side. Before choosing an MBA degree program, make sure you understand what it requires. Many MBA programs can be completed in two years. However, there are some accelerated programs available that may allow you to graduate in as little as one year. Note that these may require a more rigorous schedule that might not be practical for you if you’re already working on a full-time basis.

Is an MBA Degree Is Right for Me?

Earning an MBA will require hard work and an enduring commitment. However, the rewards will be well worth your effort. Holding an MBA degree is like stamping a special access pass on your resume and LinkedIn profile. It will set you apart from other job applicants and enable you to pursue promotion opportunities. This degree program may be right for you if you aspire to transition to a high-level management role at your current company, such as the C-suite, are planning to leave your current company to pursue a higher-level role at another corporation, have an entrepreneurial mindset and wish to build your own business and are working toward a second career and need to develop new skills and acquire more knowledge.

What Do I Need to Apply for An MBA Program?

Generally, individuals who enroll in an MBA degree do so after spending at least a few years in the workforce, gaining critical hands-on experience and on-the-job training. Indeed, some business schools will only accept MBA candidates who can demonstrate some work experience. However, if you are planning to transition to a second career, then you might not need work experience that is specific to your desired career. One thing that all MBA students should have is the ability to clearly articulate their professional goals. You should have a general understanding of what you hope to get out of your advanced education and how your degree will help you build your career. You also need to be highly motivated to learn what the MBA has to offer as graduate education requires the student to “own their learning” and be intellectually curious about the material.

What Can I Expect From an MBA Program?

Your MBA degree program will require a great deal of hard work and studying, but it will certainly pay off in the end. You will benefit from learning from instructors who are experts in their industry and you will learn from the diverse perspectives of your fellow students. Much of your work may be completed solo, but you may also complete some group projects. These are opportunities to refine your leadership skills and build your professional network. Furthermore, you can expect to gain skills and knowledge that are immediately applicable in your work. Your professional development will enable you to make positive contributions to your company.

What Is an MBA Degree?

Q: How Can I Make the Most of My MBA Experience?

You will only earn an MBA once, so make the most of your experience. It’s best to enter the program with the mindset that you have the ability to learn something meaningful from everyone you encounter—whether they are instructors or students. You should also treat your fellow students as if they are colleagues or business partners. Work collaboratively on group projects and be an empathetic leader.

An MBA degree is a Master of Business Administration. This is a graduate-level degree that teaches skills in leadership, finance, marketing and strategic management. It’s broadly applicable to all industries.

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Read time 7 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Sep 23, 2025

In This Article

Overview
MBA Degree Meaning
How Long Does It Take To Get an MBA Degree?
Types of MBA Degrees
Common MBA Degree Requirements and Prerequisites
What Courses Are Included in an MBA Program?
Career Paths With an MBA Degree
MBA Degree Salary Insights
Is an MBA Degree Right for Me?
How To Prepare for an MBA Degree Program
How To Make the Most Out of Your MBA Experience
What To Expect After Earning an MBA Degree: Pursuing a DBA

In This Article

An MBA degree program is a Master of Business Administration — a type of graduate degree that focuses on competencies for business professionals across various fields. What is an MBA degree’s main purpose? This master’s degree is designed to teach a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills in leadership, management, finance and marketing. It should be noted that although an MBA is a type of master’s degree, it’s not the same as a Master of Science degree.

Are you a current or aspiring business professional with a longing to position yourself to potentially lead? Do you wonder how you can position yourself for potential career advancement? Have you found yourself ready to improve your skills? If so, you may want to consider earning your MBA degree, as there are many potential benefits of an MBA.

MBA Degree Meaning

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is earned by completing a graduate-level, business-based degree program. MBA programs are suited for anyone with a bachelor’s degree who wishes to examine advanced skills and knowledge applicable to their field and position, or desired field and position. The competencies explored in an MBA program are broadly applicable to virtually all industries.

An MBA degree may help you in your career goals regardless of whether you work in the public, private or nonprofit sector, as it will teach business tools, communications skills and critical thinking perspective valued by many employers.¹

How Long Does It Take To Get an MBA Degree?

In general, an MBA degree requires fewer credits than a bachelor's degree. The time to complete an MBA degree is heavily dependent on multiple factors, including:

Number of credits required for the program
A student's status (part-time or full-time)
Available transfer credits

At Grand Canyon University, if you are seeking an MBA without an emphasis and you already have an undergraduate degree in business, you may be able to earn your MBA in as little as 18 months.²

Additionally, earning your MBA no longer entails packing up your home and moving closer to campus. Many business schools offer online programs to help you to complete your degree requirements from almost anywhere. This is an ideal choice for business professionals who wish to retain their current position while making progress toward a degree.

You may also want to explore evening MBA options that allow you to meet with other working professionals but still offer flexibility to fit within your schedule. If these options are of interest to you, a hybrid model combining online and evening classes is also worth considering.

Types of MBA Degrees

MBA degrees are available in a variety of subfields and emphases. Each program teaches different skills that are applicable to business in many ways. Here are some types of MBA degrees offered from GCU:

Some graduate students may be interested in earning a dual degree. Master of Business Administration & Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems and Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Leadership are two dual-degree combinations that give students in these fields more academic options.³

Common MBA Degree Requirements and Prerequisites

The admission requirements and degree completion requirements for an MBA will vary from one school and program to the next. In general, MBA students are expected to have a completed bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, and they are expected to have work experience. Some schools may require test scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

At GCU, MBA degree requirements include a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.8. If your GPA is lower than 2.8, you may still qualify with acceptable test scores from the GMAT or GRE. The GMAT or GRE are not required for admission to GCU.

What Courses Are Included in an MBA Program?

The courses you may encounter in an MBA program will differ depending on the specific degree you decide to pursue. No matter which program you choose, you will have opportunities to gain a solid understanding of business and leadership.

Some courses you might take in an MBA program may cover topics such as:

Leadership and organizational behavior
Microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts
Strategic analysis and management
Streamlined operations management
Marketing analysis and strategy
Business finance

Emphases provide courses by professors in one field of study and allow you to specialize in that area. For example, if you are taking a cybersecurity emphasis, you may take classes in topics such as the design of enterprise security infrastructure.

Career Paths With an MBA Degree

What is an MBA program graduate’s career outcome like? Those with an MBA degree can go on to pursue an array of careers. Graduates can position themselves to pursue potential leadership careers across industries. Based on experience, they may seek positions, such as:

Sales manager
Human resources manager
Business operations manager
Marketing manager
Product manager
IT manager
Chief executive officer (CEO)
Chief financial officer (CFO)

For professionals who truly want to become capable servant leaders in business, an MBA may be a solid choice. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 14% of the population aged 25 and older had completed an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree, as of 2022.⁴

MBA Degree Salary Insights

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, the median weekly wage for those with a master’s degree was $1,840, whereas the median weekly wage for those with a bachelor’s degree was $1,543.⁵

The salary that MBA graduates receive may vary according to their position and the company or organization they work for.

Is an MBA Degree Right for Me?

Earning an MBA will require hard work and an enduring commitment. However, it could be worth it for you if you aspire to improve your academic qualifications.

Holding an MBA degree can set you apart from other job applicants and may help you position yourself to potentially pursue promotion opportunities. It can indicate to potential employers that you are motivated and skilled in your field and can be a valuable asset for their team.¹

An MBA program may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You aspire to position yourself for potential career advancement opportunities.
You have an entrepreneurial mindset and wish to build a business or an intrapreneurial perspective to help innovate within your current company.
You previously earned an undergraduate degree and would like to continue your educational journey or hope to pursue a doctoral degree.
You are working toward a second career and need to examine new skills and additional knowledge.
You are interested in opportunities to learn more about your field, improve your leadership skills and expand your toolbox of business competencies.

How To Prepare for an MBA Degree Program

No matter where you are in your educational journey, you can enhance your readiness for the demands of an MBA program. Here are some steps you can take at various stages:

If you are still in high school, apply for colleges that offer business programs and learn as much as you can before graduating.
As most MBA programs require completion of an undergraduate degree, you will need to graduate from a program that will help you enter an MBA program. Be sure to meet any GPA requirements for the duration of your studies.
Gaining experience through internships and jobs may also help you prepare for an MBA degree and your career beyond.
Depending on the school you decide to apply to, you may need to pass admission tests, such as the GRE or GMAT. If your school requires this, make sure to prepare and do your best on the test, as these scores can determine whether you are admitted or not.

How To Make the Most Out of Your MBA Experience

It’s best to enter the MBA program with the mindset that you can learn something meaningful from everyone you encounter — whether they are instructors or students. You should also treat your fellow students as if they are colleagues or business partners. Work collaboratively on group projects and be an empathetic leader. After all, earning an MBA can be a wonderful networking opportunity.¹

Another way to make the most out of your MBA experience is by broadening your perspective, forming ideas and thinking critically. The main reason to earn an MBA is to learn, so take in as much information as possible and draw thoughtful conclusions from it. You’ll have opportunities to learn from the perspectives of others regarding leadership and business.

What To Expect After Earning an MBA Degree: Pursuing a DBA

If you want to further your qualifications after earning an MBA degree, you may choose to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.

Individuals may choose to pursue a DBA if they want to take their education to the highest possible level. If you would like to teach at the post-secondary level, a DBA can help you position yourself for faculty positions at colleges and universities. Many doctoral degrees require the completion of a master’s degree. If you intend to earn a doctoral degree in business, an MBA can be well worth your time and effort.

Explore Grand Canyon University’s business and management degree programs. GCU’s Colangelo College of Business offers many online MBA programs to fit your needs. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about enrolling in one of our MBA degree programs.

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Bennett, T. (2025, April 26). Why Get an MBA Degree? 11 Career Benefits to Know About. Indeed. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
Students who continuously maintain full time enrollment and successfully complete all course requirements without repeating coursework may complete all required program components in 18 months.
The MBA and MSL dual degree program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2023, Feb. 16). Census Bureau Releases New Educational Attainment Data. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Earnings by Educational Attainment as of May 2023, retrieved July 21, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as master’s-level professionals, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Vice President of GCU Marketing on Sept. 4, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.