Find a Job

The choice to pursue a graduate degree is significant, not only in terms of time and money invest, but also in terms of potential benefit. Accordingly, most people put a great deal of thought into choosing their degree program. In business, the first choice is usually whether to go with the comprehensive Masters of Business Administration or a more narrowly focused specialty degree, such as the Masters of Health Administration.

Both options have merit. Job candidates with either one have advantages over those who do not. When a corporation is recruiting for a position, among candidates with similar experience, having an advanced degree is a clear advantage. Also, it can be difficult to be promoted beyond a certain point without this kind of education.

A specialty degree does not offer some of the advantages of the MBA. The first would be that the Masters of Business Administration has a two part philosophy. The first half of the program, the student studies core subjects that are applicable to all areas of business management. During the remainder, the student goes further in depth as to how business administration is applied to a specialty area, for example human resources or international business. Because of that structure, focusing first on just the skills of managing a business, the MBA is the most versatile of any higher education degree.

In one area, the broad base of knowledge gained with the MBA is the only option, starting a small business. Entrepreneurs are frequently required to fulfill various functions throughout a start-up, or at least to have a direct hand in managing them. No specialty business degree offers this level of adaptability.

Earnings are also benefited by the MBA. A professional with five to nine years of experience can make up to an additional eighteen thousand dollars per year just by virtue of having the degree. In some industries, like health administration, the benefit can be even more striking.

Another advantage to the MBA is the classroom experience. Beyond just the gratification of successfully completing the program, the program offers excellent business networking opportunities. After all, almost everyone in the program will already be involved in business management, and some will continue to advance their careers into upper management. Valuable connections can be made.

After reviewing all the advantages that come with the Masters of Business Administration, it is easy to see why it is the most respected upper level business degree. It has application in any business venture. Plus, it allows the student to move from one business specialty to another without having to get another degree.