What Different Types of MBA Degree Concentrations Are Available?

The business field is quite broad and, while a large number of students do opt for a generalist MBA program, there are actually many different types of MBA concentrations that focus on a specific area of the business sector, according to Degree Tree. This allows students to gain all of the high-level management skill they need in order to be successful at the executive level, all while pairing those studies with highly specific classes in everything from online business to finance, accounting to information management. By the conclusion of these highly concentrated programs, students are versatile managers with a specific set of skills that might allow them to advance through the ranks in a related field a bit more easily. Those students choosing between MBA programs should keep a few of the most common concentrations in mind as an alternative to more general options.

A Look at the Most Popular MBA Degree Concentrations Available

The MBA is only as limited as a given university wishes it to be. While many schools do offer a generalist program to students who don't wish to select a specialization, most of those same schools do offer a few, highly concentrated MBA degree programs that earn them high praise from sources like Forbes magazine, BusinessWeek, U.S. News and World Report, and other sources. Currently, the most popular concentrations at today's universities include all of the following:

Accounting

While accountants are free to pursue a master's degree in the accounting field all on its own, many find that they benefit more directly from a combination of management and advance accounting coursework. This is the goal of the MBA in Accounting. The program pairs advanced accounting and tax policy with executive management, financial management, and organizational communication courses in an effort to produce seasoned accountants with an eye for sound management tactics.

Finance

The MBA in Finance is designed to prepare students for careers at major investment and financial advising firms around the world. In addition to a core group of classes focused on the traditional business administration courses expected of an MBA program, the concentration in finance focuses on global investing, business investing and IPO processes, and advising of personal investments for the consumer market. Graduates from this program are prepared for high-level or executive management jobs, as well as for highly involved financial work on behalf of prestigious investment firms around the world.

Information Systems

Most undergraduates take at least one class in management information systems, and most MBA students build on those skills as part of their core courses. For those who choose an information systems concentration, however, a slate of highly advanced IT courses are in order. Students in this program learn how to manage corporate technology deployment and security, network administration, and maintenance of crucial business databases that are central to daily operations. They're primed for jobs as CIOs, CTOs, and other executive management roles in the organization.

Business Management / e-Business Management

This selection of courses builds on the skills learned in an undergraduate business administration program and is the most typical concentration chosen by today's MBA applicants. Students take the same management core as those students in other concentrations, but then build on their understanding through classes in management ethics, executive organization, e-business considerations, and much more.

Related Resource: Online Accelerated MBA

These and Other Concentrations are Available to Today's Students

These most popular concentrations are just the beginning. Those who are looking for an appropriate course of study can choose from numerous lesser-known pursuits in marketing, human resources management, technology management, risk management, economics, global business management, and much more. Each of these different types of MBA concentrations will give students the skills they need to succeed at a high level in today's corporate world.