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An MBA, or master’s degree in business administration, is a professional degree that equips students with the skills necessary to succeed in the world of business. Students in MBA programs learn about the practical realities of the business world as well as how to effectively apply that knowledge to improve a business’s brand image, employee satisfaction, and productivity. Read More

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Students in other master’s degree programs often come straight from their undergraduate degrees to continue their studies, but MBA programs often prefer those who have some practical experience in the business world. Most students in MBA programs, whether they study at online MBA schools or traditional campuses, are professionals who have already begun to establish themselves in the field of business. MBA students come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from supervisors and middle managers who have hit a ceiling in their professional development to vice presidents and executives looking to increase their knowledge to improve their overall performance. Because it is such a career-oriented degree, many online MBA programs are designed for busy professionals who can only study part time.

Because MBAs are geared toward experienced professionals, you may be able to convince your employer to sponsor your online MBA to make you more versatile and valuable to the company. Some employers use benefits like MBA sponsorship to improve their retention of personnel and reduce turnover.

An online MBA also provides more flexibility in choosing your school. An online program requires either no study at a university or only a handful of weekend trips, which allows you to expand your MBA search to the best university your budget allows, even if the school is in another state. If you are employed, this is particularly important as it allows you to remain close to your current job rather than travel across the country and temporarily stop working to pursue your MBA.

If you are not currently working, you should get your MBA at a traditional university instead. One advantage of a traditional MBA program is the opportunity to network with other professionals who are also pursuing MBAs, many of whom have considerable influence in hiring talented professionals. If you make a strong impression, those in your MBA cohort can help you secure a job after finishing your MBA. It is easier to make this impression through the face-to-face group work involved in traditional study than through online communication.

Much of what you study in an online business school is dictated by your specialization. If you choose to pursue an MBA in finance, for example, you will focus much more on taxes, investments, and accounting practices than a student who chooses to pursue an MBA in marketing. As a result, what you learn in an MBA program is flexible and tailored to your needs.

• An MBA in Accounting will teach you financial practices, tax codes, and good accounting procedures, as well as how to manage accounting personnel. Choose this specialization if you would like to focus on your organization’s taxes and record keeping.
• An MBA in Marketing will teach you about advertising, brand management, promotions and international marketing, helping you get your organization’s name out there and promote its products. Pursue this specialization if you enjoy persuading others and working on advertising campaigns.
• An MBA in Finance will provide you with information on money management, shareholder relations, and investments, and will teach you how to keep an organization financially stable. Choose this specialization if you are interested in the management of budgets and expenditures in a company.
• AnInternational MBA. rather than focusing on a single element of business, will deal with the ways in which doing business on a global scale differs from working within a single country. Choose this specialization to learn about cross-cultural marketing, the economics of imports and exports, and the complexities of finance and accounting in a global economy.