MBA (Master of Business Administration)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally-recognized degree designed to develop the skills required for careers in business and management. The value of the MBA, however, is not limited strictly to the business world. An MBA can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, private industry, and other areas.
Most MBA programs include a "core" curriculum of subjects, such as accounting, economics, marketing, and operations, as well as elective courses that allow participants to follow their own personal or professional interests. Some schools require that MBA candidates complete an internship at a company or organization, which can lead to concrete job opportunities after the program.
Quality business schools generally require that candidates have at least a few years of professional work experience before starting an MBA program. Applicants are also asked to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, academic transcripts, letters of reference, and an essay or statement of purpose that reflects why they want to pursue an MBA. Non-native English speakers usually have to prove adequate English skills with TOEFL or IELTS scores, or through previous academic experience.
The MBA is currently the most popular professional business degree program in the world. Today FIND MBA lists over 7,500 MBA programs offered worldwide. Although most MBA programs are offered in English, many are offered in other languages, including Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, and more.
First introduced at universities in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, MBA programs have evolved to keep up with the demands of the times. Harvard University, in 1908, was reportedly the first business school to introduce an MBA program. As the offerings evolved, the school was rebranded the Harvard Business School. While the United States was the 'birthplace of the Master of Business Administration, today, it is clearly a global degree. FIND MBA has listings for over 2,000 business schools, in countries all over the world, including the US, the United Kingdom, China, Canada,France, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, India, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, and many more.
In the United States, the MBA is still primarily a two-year degree, where students can pursue an internship during the summer. However, one-year MBA programs have become increasingly popular, especially in Europe. Part-time MBA programs are also widely available for professionals not willing or unable to take a year or two off to do a full-time program. And, especially over the past decade, as technology has advanced, Online MBA programs have become increasingly popular, in that they allow for incredible flexibility in terms of when and how students can study. Interest in Online MBA programs has ramped-up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also available are Executive MBA (EMBA) programs, which tend to be part-time programs targeted at professionals with more years of managerial experience than traditional MBA candidates.
In the United States, the MBA is still primarily a two-year degree, where students can pursue an internship during the summer. However, one-year MBA programs have become increasingly popular, especially in Europe. Part-time MBA programs are also widely available for professionals not willing or unable to take a year or two off to do a full-time program. And, especially over the past decade, as technology has advanced, Online MBA programs have become increasingly popular, in that they allow for incredible flexibility in terms of when and how students can study. Interest in Online MBA programs has ramped-up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also available are Executive MBA (EMBA) programs, which tend to be part-time programs targeted at professionals with more years of managerial experience than traditional MBA candidates.
