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Which MBA Specialization is Best for Me? 7 Types of MBA Specializations

The employment marketplace is more competitive than ever. If a career in business appeals to you, you’re certainly not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the business sector is projected to grow five percent between 2019 and 2029. Simultaneously, more and more students are pursuing their bachelor’s degree in business. The best way to stand out in a crowd of business graduates is to earn your MBA.

An MBA, or Master’s in Business Administration, prepares you for an executive career as a business leader. You’ll develop highly valuable skills such as strategic thinking and people management. But, as valuable as an MBA is, you can enhance your professional career even more by earning a specialized MBA, in a dedicated area of business. Here are seven of the best MBA specializations to consider pursuing.

1. MBA in Accounting

An MBA in Accounting prepares graduates to measure, analyze, interpret, and communicate economic data. Those who hold an MBA in Accounting can go on to work in a variety of roles, from positions in the C-Suite to jobs in government agencies.

Accounting MBA Course Examples

In this specialized degree program, you’ll take foundational coursework as well as classes that center around your concentration. These courses include:

  • International Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Personal Taxation
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • Accounting Regulations
  • Business Environment

Employment Outcomes

Students who graduate with an MBA in Accounting have the benefit of choice and flexibility in their future. They’re prepared to fulfill multiple roles. These jobs can include:

  • Business Development Manager
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Personal Finance Advisor
  • Financial Manager
  • Management Analyst

2. MBA in Analytics Intelligence

As more and more businesses rely on computers and data gathering to guide their decisions, they’ll need employees who can study and understand big data. An MBA in Analytics Intelligence prepares graduates for a career capturing and analyzing data, helping businesses improve their efficiency and profits. This particular MBA specialization can also be completed entirely online at some universities, giving students flexibility to finish their degree as quickly as they’d like.

Analytics Intelligence Course Examples

In addition to a set of core MBA courses, students pursuing an MBA in Analytics Intelligence will take courses such as:

  • Enterprise Intelligence and Decision Support Systems
  • Business Planning
  • Foundations in Advanced Enterprise Analytics

Employment Outcomes

Students who graduate with their MBA in Analytics Intelligence are of particular interest to employers. Every day consumers generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data. Companies need experts who can sort through that data to help them make decisions. Some careers that graduates from an MBA in Analytics Intelligence can enter include:

  • Marketing Manager
  • Management Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Operations Analyst
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Management Consultant

3. MBA in Healthcare Management

Healthcare represents more than 17% of the gross domestic product in the United States. For those interested in working in healthcare, the time has never been better. An MBA in Healthcare Management prepares graduates for a career managing hospitals, working for pharmaceuticals, or even researching for insurance companies. Plus, this program is frequently offered online. Students who pursue this degree online can finish their MBA in as quickly as a year.

Healthcare MBA Course Examples

As an MBA student specializing in Healthcare Management, you’ll be expected to complete your core curriculum in addition to specialized classes, including:

  • Healthcare Quality, Outcomes, and Evidence Based Care
  • Epidemiology, Population Health, and Data Analytics
  • Healthcare Leadership

Employment Outcomes

With an MBA in Healthcare Management, you’ll be prepared to work in several career paths. These can include:

  • Pharmaceutical Project Management
  • Hospital Administration
  • Healthcare Advisory
  • Hospital Administration
  • Policy Analysis
  • Senior Healthcare Strategy

4. MBA in Human Resources Management

The biggest asset a company has is its people. Afterall, without their employees, where would they be? Every company needs human resource professionals to make sure that their employees are well taken care of and complying with company policy. They’re also responsible for handling any disputes employees may have with one another. An MBA in Human Resources Management paves the pathway for graduates who want to make a difference in employees’ lives. This program is also offered in a one year, accelerated online format. In just a year, you can kick start your career in HR management.

HR MBA Course Examples

In addition to a selection of core curriculum, students in the MBA in Human Resources Management program will be expected to take concentration courses, including:

  • Human Resources Management
  • Organizational Development
  • Workforce Assessment

Employment Outcomes

Graduates who hold an MBA specialization in Human Resources Management are prepared to work in a variety of careers. Some of these fields include:

  • Recruitment
  • Employee Relations
  • Strategic Planning
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Organizational Development
  • Training and Development

5. MBA in Finance

Many students are drawn to an MBA in Finance due to the fast-paced and exciting nature of the financial industry. Financial analysts collect operational data, establish costs for services and goods, provide cost analysis for companies, and analyze trends. At the heart of every corporation is a finance department. With over 1.7 million C corporations in America, it’s safe to say that the outlook for finance careers is very good.

MBA in Finance Course Examples

When pursuing an MBA in Finance, students will complete their core courses, in addition to three courses in their area of concentration. These classes can include:

  • Investment Analysis
  • International Financial Management
  • Technical Analysis and Trading
  • Financial Analysis and Modeling
  • Managerial Economics
  • Cases in Finance

Employment Outcomes

Graduates with an MBA in Finance are highly sought after by employers due to their proficiency in financial management, understanding of investments, and refined analytical skills. Some careers open to those who hold an MBA in Finance include:

  • Financial Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Budget Analyst
  • Corporate Controller

6. MBA in Management

An MBA in Management is among the most flexible of the MBA specializations. This MBA program prepares students for leadership and management positions in a variety of career fields. In many ways, students can tailor this program to their interests. Whether they’re interested in working in international business or human resources, there are plenty of courses they can choose from. Additionally, this program can be completed in as short as one year, online.

Management MBA Course Examples

Students in the MBA in Management program will take the core MBA courses. Additionally, they can choose three out of a wide variety of concentration courses. These can include:

  • Leadership, Teams, and Managing Change
  • Human Resources Management
  • New Product Commercialization
  • Intellectual Property Management
  • International Issues
  • Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management

Employment Outcomes

Those who complete an MBA in Management can work in various types of environments in a number of roles. This really is the “jack of all trades” degree. Some career paths graduates may explore include:

  • Project Management
  • Operations Management
  • Information Management
  • Consulting

7. MBA in Marketing

An MBA in Marketing prepares students to create, promote, price, and manage products and services. This program provides participants with an in-depth understanding of customers’ behavior as well as the tools they’ll need to problem solve and communicate with clients and customers.

MBA in Marketing Course Examples

Students in the MBA in Marketing program will complete the core MBA courses. Additionally, they will take three of eight concentration courses. These can include:

  • Customer Analysis
  • Electronic and Mobile Business
  • Personal Sales and Sales Management
  • Global Marketing Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Strategy and Advanced Marketing Concepts

Employment Outcomes

Students who graduate with an MBA in Marketing can work in a variety of roles. Some career paths graduates may explore include:

  • Marketing Manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Market Communications Director
  • Marketing Director

For many interested in working the business, an MBA is a must have. MBAs provide graduates with more job opportunities and job security, as well. However, students who pursue an MBA specialization are even further differentiated from their competition. If an MBA is in your future, be sure to decide which MBA specialization is best for you and choose an MBA program that offers these various options.

Which MBA Specialization is Best for You?

Deciding which MBA specialization is right for you can be a tough decision. Here are some questions to consider before you make a decision:

  • What are my biggest strengths?
  • What are my passion areas?
  • Which MBA specialization will support my career goals?
  • Which MBA specializations appeal to me the most?
  • Which is the best MBA to become a CEO?

The answers to these questions can help lead you into choosing an MBA concentration that aligns with your skillsets, interests, and professional goals.

Interested in pursuing your MBA in Connecticut? Learn more about University of Bridgeport’s MBA and MBA concentrations!