How to Choose the Right MBA?

Not to be confused with a general MBA program, an MBA in general management typically focuses on leadership principles and strategies. Learners take courses in corporate strategy and negotiation tactics to sharpen their managerial skills. This specialization is sometimes called an MBA in organizational leadership.

In this specialization, enrollees often take on assignments that delve into project management and organizational design. Projects and courses typically use a broad scope, ensuring that students can apply their training to an array of fields after graduation. Common employment opportunities for this specialization include general manager and human resources manager.

An MBA in international business provides students with the standard MBA training and skills, but within an international context. Learners study international finance, operations, and human resources, exploring foreign markets, cultures, and imports and exports.

Courses and projects cover global strategies, international supply chains, and emerging economies. In addition to management and leadership positions in multinational organizations, an MBA in international business can lead to careers in management consulting and business development.

An MBA with a specialization in strategy or strategic management typically focuses on an organization's performance as a whole, including its environment, goals, and operations. Students learn how to evaluate an organization's market, establish goals, and create and implement realistic strategies to meet those goals.

Within these programs, enrollees take courses in managing alliances, global business strategies, and e-business management. They often take on real-world problems and attempt to develop solutions for them. After graduation, strategic management students can apply their skills to management consulting, project management, and management analysis.

An MBA in consulting emphasizes analyzing organizational problems and developing achievable solutions. Students learn to apply modern problem-solving techniques to operational, supply chain, or administration issues. They also acquire communication and interpersonal skills, which help them deliver solutions and consultations.

Many of the courses and projects in this specialization involve case studies and practical training. They typically cover topics in project management, operational management, and innovation and change. Programs can take an international angle in their courses to prepare students for global positions. Career options for graduates include management consulting, management analysis, and top executive positions.

An MBA in finance teacjes students about corporate finance and how it functions within high-level organizations. Degree-seekers acquire skills in accounting, marketing, logistics, and operations. They also learn how to responsibly and profitably manage the capital invested by shareholders.

The courses available in this specialization vary considerably by program and student interest, but common options include managing short and long-term capital, enterprise valuation, capital markets, and financial innovations. Depending on their training, graduates can find careers as financial managers, controllers, and chief financial officers.

In an MBA in entrepreneurship, students learn how to make a start-up investment ready and maintain strong operations. They learn to evaluate and manage risk, develop business plans, work with investors, and assess future ventures.

Common courses include entrepreneurial finance, market opportunity analysis, and innovation and technology. MBA degree-seekers in this speciality also examine real start-ups to prepare them for practical situations. In addition to running their own start-ups, graduates with an MBA in entrepreneurship can pursue careers in management consulting and analysis, financial management, and marketing management.

An MBA in marketing focuses on tools and techniques used by modern professionals to understand and capitalize on markets. These programs focus on digital marketing, analytics, social media, and contemporary consumer behavior. Students learn to assess markets, develop advertising strategies, and adapt to market changes.

Some typical classes include forecasting and modeling, product branding, and sales management. Many courses in this field ask enrollees to tackle integrative consulting projects and create their own marketing campaigns. Graduates with an MBA in marketing can explore careers in marketing management, sales management, and project management.

With an MBA in project management, students gain the skills to oversee projects of varying sizes, controling technical elements like schedule, budget, and reports. They also examine sociocultural factors, like leadership tactics, office politics, and interpersonal relationships.

Standard courses include management principles, dynamic leadership, and improving business performance. Some assignments may ask students to create sustainable business practices and develop training exercises for staff members. This specialization can lead to several careers in management, such as project management, general management, and financial management.

An MBA in operations management gives students the skills and knowledge to oversee an organization's entire scope of operations. These programs often focus on decision-making processes and using statistical and economic indicators to find solutions to efficiency problems. Another, similar specialization is an MBA in supply chain management.

Throughout an MBA in operations, students take courses in supply chain management, performance analysis, and logistics. Degree-seekers use an array of tools and models to analyze the effectiveness of current operations and develop possible improvements. After graduation, they may pursue careers in general management, management analysis, and management consulting.

During an MBA in information technology, degree-seekers learn how to manage an organization's information systems department. They acquire the skills to evaluate operations, assess and manage risk, develop optimized solutions, and implement changes to a working system.

In the program, students take courses in leadership, IT strategic solutions, financial management, and project management. Projects typically emphasize practical settings and real case studies. Graduates can access an array of careers, including chief technology officer, information systems manager, and project manager.

In an MBA in accounting, students focus on the financial operations of an organization. They acquire skills in complex accounting, along with an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the profession. Some programs may also emphasize international components or government applications.

In this program, learners typically take courses in financial reporting and analysis, auditing standards, and advanced tax strategy. They may encounter more specialized courses as well, such as international tax issues or corporate investments. Careers for graduates include management accounting, financial management, and project management.

An MBA in healthcare management examines how managers can effectively run the planning, evaluation, and operations of healthcare systems and organizations. These programs focus on the realities and limitations of the healthcare industry while inspiring students to find solutions to improve health outcomes.

Students typically take courses in population health management, healthcare funding, and ethical and legal issues in healthcare. Learners also engage with actual case studies and healthcare settings to familiarize themselves with the environment and experience the challenges firsthand. Graduates can pursue careers in health services management, management consulting, and financial management.

An MBA in sustainability emphasizes organizational innovations that prioritize the health of the environment and the population, exploring entrepreneurial and problem-solving techniques that help graduates usher companies into the future. Students learn to analyze and assess traditional practices, look for modern solutions, and implement operational changes.

Common courses in these programs include management ethics and social responsibility, sustainable management practices, and sustainable business strategies. Degree-seekers may be tasked with developing their own sustainable operational plans or critiquing contemporary case studies. With this training, graduates can access careers in general management, project management, and management consulting and analysis.

During an MBA in real estate, students develop skills and knowledge in entrepreneurial thinking, real estate infrastructure, and the financial and investment elements of property ownership. Programs often emphasize valuation techniques while also exploring the complex legalities and regulations that exist in real estate.

Throughout the program, enrollees take courses in project life cycles, structuring development transactions, and the economic factors shaping the industry. They may also complete projects in leadership and real estate prototype development. Equipped with this degree, graduates can pursue careers in financial management, management consulting and analysis, and investment and portfolio management.

An MBA provides general business training at a high level, emphasizing managerial and leadership qualities. The degree builds on the comprehensive training of an undergraduate business program, but delves into more advanced technical skills and processes. Learners often pursue an MBA to develop their business acumen and advance their careers.

While an MBA can be a generalist degree, it also offers specializations, such as accounting, finance, and marketing. Each concentration has its own benefits and leads to specific careers. For example, an MBA in finance can lead to the lucrative financial management field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the financial management field is seeing a projected growth of 15% between 2019-2029.

For professionals seeking leadership roles or management positions, an MBA can provide the necessary skills and qualifications. Before committing to this advanced degree, candidates should consider their career goals and research requirements for those positions.

Every MBA program has its own unique curriculum and challenges. Students often pursue these advanced degrees while still maintaining employment, which makes them even more challenging. General MBA programs with no specializations usually provide the shortest route to completing the degree.

In general, an MBA provides advanced business and management skills that learners can use in a multitude of positions and industries. The degree also teaches students entrepreneurial, organizational, and operational skills. If they choose a concentration, degree-seekers can also acquire more specialized skills.