Guide to Master's Degrees in Business
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Whether you hope to start your own business or succeed in an established Fortune 500 company, a master's degree in business is one way to prove your knowledge and skills to potential hiring managers. Begin your degree process by learning more about programs that enhance your knowledge, improve your marketability, and send you into the workforce with confidence. |
Explore Your MBA Degree Options
The Master's in Business Administration (MBA) is considered the gold standard for anyone looking for a high level of business training. When considering potential MBA programs, it's important to realize your range of options. These are just a few possibilities:
- Full-Time MBA: Students who earn MBA degrees as full-time students are often looking for the experience, networking, and immersion of returning to school for the full two years required.
- Accelerated MBA: Often completed in 12 months, this intensive degree is reserved for those with a business degree and experience in the field.
- Online MBA: The convenience of online education benefits MBA students who pursue this degree. Earn a master's degree online and log on from anywhere to complete your education.
- Evening/Weekend MBA: Earn your master's degree in evening or weekend classes as you continue to work full-time, gaining work experience as you pursue an education.
- Executive MBA: Designed for executives with a high level of specialized experience, the curriculum and community of an executive MBA could suit your needs.
Because the MBA is such a popular degree, it's possible to find a program that truly suits your needs as a student and as a working adult. Explore your MBA possibilities and learn which type of degree program suits you.
Consider a Range of MBA Specializations
Dig deeper into your business leadership knowledge with an MBA degree. Though it is possible to earn a general MBA, most students choose to specialize in a certain element of business. Take a look at a few of the potential specialties you'll find within an MBA program:
- Accounting: Advance your bachelor's degree while studying high-level tax, financial, and managerial accounting.
- Economics: Specialties include quantitative economics and forecasting, analysis and policy, public sector and urban economics, and labor economics.
- Entrepreneurship: Start your own business with a broad-based MBA geared towards the needs of new business owners.
- Finance: National banks, regional operations, financial sectors, and other businesses value the specialized skills of finance MBA graduates.
- International business: Take your skills overseas with training in international business. Global corporations take notice of the specialized skills gained with this MBA.
- Marketing: Courses of emphasis may include sales management, mass marketing communication, and marketing strategy.
- Management: Focus your education on the specific challenges presented to a management team. Technology management and small business management are additional master's degree specialization possibilities.
- Real estate: Combining elements that vary from investment to architecture and finance to market analysis, the real estate MBA offers a truly specialized level of training.
Choose a specialization that interests you, and benefit from a valuable high-level education in a fascinating aspect of business. An MBA shapes your future career as you learn more about what drives you in the industry.
Other Master's Degrees in Business
Looking for a business degree that goes beyond the MBA? These master's degrees in business typically take one to two years, and are designed for students who have just earned a bachelor's degree as well as professionals in the field with work experience.
- Master of Science in Finance (MSF): Prepare for a career in finance with a master's degree that takes a close look at an aspect of the field that interests you. Fixed income, corporate, or real estate finance are all potential specialties.
- Master of Accountancy (MAcc, MSAcy): Tax accounting, financial accounting, and managerial accounting are all possible specialties in this graduate degree. The degree prepares students for the licensing process to become a certified public accountant (CPA).
- Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS MIS): A valuable business degree for anyone looking for a management career in the IT world, this degree focuses on designing, implementing, and analyzing systems. Concentrations include analytics, entrepreneurship, and operations.
- Master of Science (MS) in Management or Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA): Other management-specific master's degrees are often similar to the MBA, but include different core classes and requirements. Your own coursework interests and career goals should help determine which degree you choose.
If your business goals include specific certifications, such as the CPA for accountants, find out what type of degree paths are common for workers holding that certification. Align yourself with others who have seen success in the industry of your choice.
Earn a Master's Degree Online or On-Campus
Choose to earn a degree on a traditional campus, or log on to earn your master's degree in business online. With flexible course meetings, low or no enrollment requirements, and a professional technical support network, it's easier than ever to earn a master's degree online. Business master's degree students enjoy the benefits of an online degree:
- Access: Log on from anywhere in the world to complete classes. The asynchronous environment of online learning means that you don't need to meet at specific class times.
- Portability: Business graduate students may complete coursework on business trips, on the job, or at home after work.
- Accreditation: Online schools are held to the same standard as campus-based education. Look for online universities with current regional or national accreditation.
Students who prefer traditional, campus-based learning enjoy their own benefits:
- Hands-On: Work one-on-one with professors and peers in a face-to-face environment.
- Networking: Meet and interact with business professionals with connections in your area.
- Intensive: For collaborative learners, the team elements of a business degree are best found on campus.
No matter which type of master's degree in business that you choose, researching programs beforehand will help ensure that you enter your degree program with confidence. Take control of your career future with a master's degree that truly meets your needs as a student.
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