MBA | Master of Business Administration

If a student is dedicated during their two-year MBA program, the rewards and benefits will far outweigh the costs. The employment possibilities with an MBA lead to greater job satisfaction—an opportunity to rise up the ranks and challenge oneself while inspiring others. And according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2013 Alumni Perspective Survey, “Employer demand for new MBA and business master’s degree-holders remains high… Across all program types, more than 90 percent of the class of 2012 alumni was employed at the time of this survey.”

Those who pursue an MBA often do so to either advance their current career or to transition into new one. And such professionals are not necessarily coming from or entering fields classified as “traditionally business”; MBA graduates end up resuming or gaining positions in a variety of sectors, from engineering and technology to policy, healthcare and media communications.

MBA Degree Specialization Options

• MBA with a Finance Concentration
• MBA in Finance
• MBA – Corporate Finance Specialization

MBA Degree Prerequisites

Students applying for a Master of Business Administration program must have an undergraduate degree. You may be surprised to know, that in many cases, MBA students come from a variety of educational backgrounds. In other words, a Business-related Bachelor’s degree is usually not necessarily a prerequisite. However, some Master of Business Administration programs may require prospective students to have completed certain foundation courses (such as statistics, economics, accounting and finance.)

Generally before applying for an MBA program, you must take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and obtain a minimum score specified by the school. (Note: Some business schools are starting to consider the GMAT as an optional prerequisite and are looking at other qualifications, such as career experience, instead).

MBA application requirements vary by school, but generally speaking you will need to submit official transcripts from all your postsecondary studies and GMAT test scores, a compelling essay (answering a specified question), letters of recommendation and a resume; and if invited, participate in an interview with the selection committee.

Why Pursue a Master of Business Administration?

Many students who apply and complete an MBA program have been in the workforce for several years. The great thing about an MBA program is that it can be used as a vessel to advance one’s career or even switch careers. It can help someone in the business world rise up the ranks to managerial and executive positions. Equally it can be used to help those in other fields realize their ever growing potential, from magazine editors striving to start their own publishing firm to military veterans transitioning to civilian life.

In short, an MBA will allow you to take your career to the next level. In addition to higher earning potential ($100,000 was the median salary reported by MBA alumni in 2012, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2013 Alumni Perspective Survey) an MBA paves the way to higher satisfaction, where you can continuously hold positions that challenge you, that allow you to tap into your varied skill set and talent bank.

What Kind of Courses Will I Be Taking?

Master of Business Administration programs include a curriculum of business core topics, but they are also interdisciplinary where students learn and practice skills (like communication, leadership, critical thinking and organization) that prepare them to be leaders in a variety of fields. Also students can tailor their MBA programs to align with their goals through concentrations and/or elective courses.

Core Course Examples

• Operations Management
• Managerial Finance
• Accounting
• Applied Business Statistics
• Marketing Strategy
• Micro & Macro Economics
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Planning

Concentration Examples

• Executive
• International Business
• Information Technology
• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Systems Administration
• Public Policy
• Communications/Media
• Marketing
• Environmental Management
• Financial Analysis

Additionally, many MBA programs require experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, international experiences, field studies, completing consulting/development projects with real-world businesses or organizations, independent research projects, competitions and more.

What Kind of Careers Can I Pursue with an MBA?

MBA grads go on to assume a wide variety of professional positions, either specifically related to the business world or in various other fields. Just some examples include:

Core Course Examples

• Entrepreneur/Business Owner
• Chief Financial Officer
• Accounts Manager
• Director of a Non-Profit
• Human Resources Manager
• Business Systems Analyst
• Market Information Specialist
• Advertising Director

Concentration Examples

• Information Security Officer
• City Manager
• Consultant
• Healthcare Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Corporate Trainer
• Senior Director of Operations
• And Many More!