Masters in Business Programs

View Programs Now!

There are a wide variety of Masters in Business Programs to choose from. The MBA, or Masters in Business Administration Programs are perhaps the most well-known. But business programs cover so much more than just the MBA, other subjects include: management, finance, marketing, accounting, health administration, sports management and conflict resolution.

Business Masters Degree Program Information

Masters in Business: Overview

One of the most popular questions people ask is: How long will it take to earn a masters degree? While there are accelerated one-year masters programs, the average length of most Masters in Business Masters Programs is between 12 and 24 months. Others struggle to understand what the best degree option is. Common Masters degrees in Business include:

Before moving forward, be sure to understand nuances of the different program requirements. Typically, a relevant undergraduate degree is needed to apply for admission. If you do not meet this criteria, accelerated MBA programs allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree simultaneously. Also important to note, some programs don't require a GMAT!

Some MAcc programs require students to take the Certified Public Account (CPA) exam before acceptance, while others request that the exam be completed before finishing the program. Also, less common with bussiness programs, but, some may require an internship or thesis.

Remember to keep in mind your professional goals. For instance, do you want to manage money or manage people or both? Furthermore, general masters in business administration degrees will usually cover aspects of accountancy and finance. But if you wish to pursue a career in accounting or finance, you'll usually need to gain further qualifications.

EXPERT INSIGHT: Why Consider an MBA?
We asked Co-founder Andrew Haller, of software design consultancy AirDev, about what he learned from his MBA program:

“Through an MBA, I learned the principles of lean development, running experiments to find product-market fit. Second, it gave me the space to try (and fail) as an entrepreneur in a lower-risk environment. Finally, I met my co-founder, Vlad Leytus, at school!”

~Andrew Haller, Co-founder/Co-CEO of AirDev Click to Tweet

Masters in Business Administration MBA

An MBA is a general business degree that aims to prepare business students to develop the organizational, leadership and communication skills required for upper management or executive positions. Some programs may also allow students to choos a specific concentrations. These areas of focus include finance, management, marketing or human resources. Students typically choose a program that is aligned with their career goals, whether these are general or very focused. Employers in today’s competitive marketplace often prefer candidates with an MBA.[i]

Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programs accept students with a four-year degree in accounting, management or business; however, students might also seek to earn an MBA in order to advance their career in other disciplines.

In an accelerated MBA program, learners usually complete prerequisites for their master's degree before taking elective courses in such areas as accounting, management and finance. Masters in Business Administration programs also comprise math courses in statistics, economics, econometrics and calculus. Other business requirements may include those in:

  • Information technology
  • Organizational behavior
  • International business
  • Monetary policy
  • Business law
  • Strategic business planning
  • Contract negotiation

Beyond the MBA 

While the MBA may be perfect for some, others may instead be more suited to either a more specialized and technical program or a more research-intensive, academic program. There is an abundance of advanced Masters in Business Programs being offered by colleges and universities across the United States. These areas include:

Fun Fact:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master’s degree in business administration or a related field can enhance a manager’s opportunities to advance to a higher-level position, such as director of administrative services.

Why Consider a Masters in Business?

Career choices in Business vary depending on a graduate’s interests, skill-sets, education, experience, and a host of other factors. A general business degree may prepare students for a wide variety of roles including entrepreneurship, executive roles, consulting, banking, marketing or analyst roles. Some of the potential career paths might include:

  • Management Analyst
  • Accountants and Auditors
  • Administrative Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Top Executive
  • Marketing Manager

A business degree is a great way to develop many of the transferable skills needed for use in a business environment, as well as to leverage the skills and strengths you have cultivated in your undergraduate years.

Ready to Pursue a Masters Degree in Business? Check out our list of 9,030 Business Programs.

Whether you pursue a traditional MBA or choose from one of the other Masters in Business Programs, next steps would include researching and reaching out to accredited schools. Reaching out to more than one school will allow you to compare and contrast which features are right for you. The more you research what each school offers, you increase your chances of finding a school that is right for you. 

To request information from a school on our site simply click request info and fill out the form.  Why wait? You future masters of business program could be one click away!

Sponsored Listings

Find Schools