Friday, July 20, 2012

Master of Business Administration Choices

By Kendrick Magby


If you are considering an advanced business degree, there are a number of options available. At the top of the list is the Master of Business Administration in all its various forms. It was the first advanced business degree when Harvard introduced it in 1908, and it is still the most prominent. Today, the Master of Business Administration with its many specialization options is taught in a number of different forms from traditional to night classes to online learning.

These days, many people's under grad and post grad degrees are separated by some work experience. So, now, a number of students are adults working full time. In response, the program in now also offered in a variety of flex plans, including online classes, night classes and accelerated programs.

Core classes (business operations, strategy, accounting, marketing, negotiation and capital markets) happen in the first half of the program. Then, in the second part, the student broadens their knowledge of a specialty area. There are a good number of specialties including subjects for example global business, advertising, economics and accounting.

Other business degrees have a slight edge within their particular focus, however there is an advantage in the flexibility offered by the MBA. Case in point, the Master of Healthcare Administration is very heavily weighted toward healthcare policy. However, a healthcare specialized MBA encompasses a more robust view of health management by considering business components such as advertising, operations, and risk. Taking into consideration the average adult will have around 7 careers in their lifetime, careful consideration should be taken when choosing between a degree that only has use in one sector versus one that can more easily offer value in multiple arenas.

That Harvard MBA can run you up to $200,000 today, however the average program runs $60,000. Beyond just money, there is also a vast amount of time and energy invested. Some no-name online schools offer the program for as little as $7,000. Other online schools get away with charging a premium. They have a firm grasp of the market value of the convenience of online classes.

Here is why so many people pay that price. Professionals with just a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) make considerably less than someone with identical experience that has a MBA. For example, in the case of someone with 5 to 9 years of experience, the MBA makes about $17,600 more per year. Plus, the diploma itself is a source of pride and achievement.

Ultimately, there are a number of ways to go with an advanced business degree, both in the choice of degree and the speed and style of achieving it. Either way, it's a lot of money and time. However, in the final analysis, the MBA provides a broad scope of applications that the more sector specific degrees do not. Having more options is valuable by itself. So, unless a person can be absolutely certain that they will never get tired of a career, the MBA is probably the better path over a something like an MHA.




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