North Dakota Masters in Business Programs

Masters in Business Administration MBA

Concentrations for a master's in business administration include finance, management, marketing or human resources, as well as specialized business areas, such as healthcare. 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.

The goal of the MBA curriculum is to develop the organizational, leadership and communication skills required for upper management or executive positions. Concentrations are usually available in finance, marketing, human resources or specialized business areas. 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

Alternative Masters in Business programs

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. You can search the ‘subject selection’ directory for full listings of associated programs. For instance, a professional can obtain a Masters in Business degree in the following fields:

• Master of Accounting
• Master of Taxation
• Master of Finance
• Masters in Marketing/Advertising
• Master of Statistics
• Master of Actuarial Science
• Master of Risk Management / Insurance
• Master of Organizational Behavior
• Masters in Management
• Master of Economics

Fun Fact:

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.^[ii]

Road Map to Business Masters Programs: From General to Concentrations

To see how extensive your options are, make sure you open up the core masters program to view possible areas of concentration. Graduate School is the time to focus in on the area that you are most passionate about, want to conduct research in, or hope to get the best possible preparation for your next step (workplace or doctorate degree).

• Accounting Masters Programs – Forensic Accounting, Taxation
• Business Management & Administration Masters Programs  – Business Prep, Executive Business Administration
• Business Information Systems Masters Programs - Business Intelligence
• E-commerce & Social Media Masters Programs
• Economics Masters Programs – Economic Development
• Entrepreneurship Masters Programs
• Environment & Agriculture Masters Programs – Agriculture, Green & Sustainable Energy
• Finance Masters Programs – Banking, Financial Planning
• Healthcare Administration & Management Masters Programs
• Hospitality Management Masters Programs – Entertainment Management, Tourism
• Human Resources Management Masters Programs – Business & corporate Education, Negotiation & Conflict Management
• International Business Masters Programs
• Marketing & Advertising Masters Programs – Advertising & Public Relations, Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, Sales
• Non-Profit Administration Masters Programs
• Operations Management Masters Programs – Construction Management, Contract Management, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management
• Organizational Leadership Masters Programs – Risk Management
• Project Management Masters Programs 
• Public Administration & Policy Masters Programs – Government, Labor & Industrial Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy
• Real Estate & Property Management Masters Programs 
• Sports Management Masters Programs 
• Technology Management Masters Programs

Why Consider a Masters in Business Program?

Career choices in Business vary depending on a graduate’s interests, skill-sets, education, experience, and a host of other factors. Some graduates are interested in entrepreneurship, others in 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

Ready to Pursue a Masters Degree in Business?

Whether you pursue a traditional MBA or choose from one of the other Masters in Business Programs, you will likely fine-tune your analytical and decision-making skills, learn effective communication and managerial skills, and generally set yourself apart from candidates who have lesser training. 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. Why not invest in your future by looking into Masters in Business and Masters of Business Administration programs on GradSchools.com today!

Sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm | bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm | [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm | bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm | bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm | bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm | bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm