Under the branch of the studies program known as the master’s in business, administration are a variety of different specializations. This means, despite an MBA’s reputation as being a corporate-minded degree for people looking to get into traditional industries such as finance or banking, it can actually be applied to a whole load of different interests. MBAs can be used to gain a deeper understanding of a whole host of fascinating topics, spanning from creative industries to sports to healthcare.
Perhaps you are looking to study for an online MBA while balancing other concerns in life. To show you the different types of specializations that can be found within this type of degree, this guide runs through a list of 20 different niches you can achieve an MBA in.
MBA in General Management
A general management MBA is easily one of the most common and also one of the most valuable of the different post-graduate options. It refers to a generalist approach to management that offers to learn with regards to the core elements of business administration, covering topics such as accounting, management, marketing and finance. For people who want to have a generalist overview of the core values of business, or are not sure exactly what they want to do, this is considered one of the most useful degrees out there. As a result of their popularity, one can easily find an online MBA in general management available online.
MBA in Strategic Management
An MBA in strategic management is extremely useful if you are looking to obtain a high-level executive position once you return to the workplace. This is because this type of degree has an intense focus on strategy in a business setting. As a result, it is a broader type of degree meant for holistic learning, eschewing a department-by-department approach in favor of a broad organization-wide approach. During an online MBA or in-person learning, students would learn about decision-making, leadership skills, and business communication.
MBA in Consulting
As the name suggests, an MBA in consulting teaches you everything you need to know if you want to either land a high-paying consulting job — such as business development manager, business consultant or management consultant — or be able to produce actionable insights with regards to business transformation. Whether you learn via an online MBA or through studying in-person at a university, it is a great opportunity for people looking to learn more about the world of consulting, and the average salary for this role is around $88,000 in the USA.
MBA in International Management
For a global approach to management, you can’t go wrong with an MBA in international management. This type of degree focuses on understanding the differences between cultures and how to overcome those differences within a business setting. This type of online MBA or in-person learning will teach you topics such as business analytics, an international legal and tax framework, international accounting and corporate social responsibility, the latter of which has grown in importance over the past few years. This is perfect if you’re are looking to join or create a business that has a strong globalized outlook.
MBA in Finance
For people who love numbers and spreadsheets, there’s nothing better for them to study than an online MBA in finance. This brings together business courses with financial electives that can include topics as diverse as fundraising, investments, budgeting, analysis, fund management and more. For people who have completed this type of MBA, they can expect to go straight into positions such as financial advising, account managing and even be hired for a CFO role, which can command a very respectable $371,500 a year.
MBA in Marketing
Marketing is crucial for any business. That’s why many people with an interest in both topics opt to study an online MBA or campus-based MBA in marketing. The types of topics that a student could expect to learn include market research, branding, product development, digital marketing and advertisement. There are lots of jobs that one can expect to do with this type of degree, including director of sales role, marketing researcher, and marketing manager. With lots of people opting for marketing positions these days, an MBA in this role can really help you stand out.
MBA in Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs make history and change the world due to the boldness of their ideas and the way they execute their vision. For anyone looking to be the next Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos, whose wealth doubled over the past year, an MBA in entrepreneurship is the perfect option. In this type of degree, one can expect to learn topics such as start-up creation, business innovation, entrepreneurial strategies, product development, design and marketing. Naturally, the main role people might aim for after this type of role is CEO, but they can also work in roles as diverse as management consulting and senior product manager.
MBA in Operations Management
Operations management refers to elements of planning and supervising with regards to production and the provision of services. It helps to make sure that outputs in a company are handled as efficiently as possible. As it has such a strong basis in mathematics, an operations management online MBA focuses on topics such as creating models and systems, analytics and interpretation, operations strategy and more. The types of jobs found in this niche are usually in supply chain analysis and management as well as operations management.
MBA in IT and Technology Management
If you’re opting to study an online MBA in IT and technology management, you will learn about the power of technology upon both society and the business world. It also teaches graduates about the power of technology to make an impact upon improving services within a corporate setting. This is a fast-paced degree suitable for those who are willing to switch up what they know as the technological world rapidly changes. Roles for graduates include IT consultants, product development managers, and CTOs.
MBA in Design Management
An MBA in design management can help anyone who is looking to break into the world of design and find a way to move between both the creative and business sides of the corporate world. This degree comes as more companies across the world are seeing, expanding on, and capitalizing on the various different ways that design can have an impact on the way that consumers decide to approach products. Students who opt for this type, of course, can usually gain a holistic approach to design, including its history and impact upon consumer behavior. This is not to be confused with an MBA in fashion management, which is specifically about management in the fashion world. Read about that one just below:
MBA in Fashion Management
People who choose to study an MBA in fashion management gain an insight into the fashion industry, learning both about its creative side and how it interacts with the business. One can expect to learn topics as diverse as marketing luxury brands, developing and managing luxury retail, the culture of brands, managing brands and even doing business in Italy, the epicenter of world fashion! This is a very useful degree to take if you are looking to break into any of the top fashion brands.
MBA in Event Management
Event management can be a stressful but ultimately very rewarding role. The benefits of studying an MBA in event management allow you to get really deep into the hectic nature of events, including costing, preparation, planning, contracts and more, as well as finding a way to turn events into a year-round business. This is a very useful post-graduate degree for anyone who wants to put on their own concerts or festivals, giving you an edge over other people in the same industry.
MBA in Human Resource Management
Human resources are a crucial part of any business and are an essential part of any large corporation. After all, without being able to mediate disputes correctly, as well as put into place effective hiring practices, a business isn’t going to last very long. Additionally, the way that businesses are approaching HR is constantly changing, meaning that it is a rich and dynamic field with a lot of potential for hiring and personal growth within the industry. If you are looking to get into an HR role, this MBA is perfect for you as it offers training and knowledge with regards to managing workforces.
MBA in Healthcare
For those who already have qualifications in the healthcare field, an MBA in healthcare is a great specialization to follow if you are looking to break into more senior roles as well as hospital management. It teaches best practices within a clinical setting, mediating conflicts that flare up, running effective budgets, and more.
MBA in Sports Management
An MBA in sports management can combine your love of business and sport, which is perfect for those who want to get involved with the sporting world on the management side. Topics that you could expect to learn about include finance, law, history, marketing, event management, facility management, and the different ethical issues that arise in a sporting context.
MBA in Media and Entertainment
For those who love working in the magazine, television or film industry — such as working behind the scenes at top media institutions, streaming platforms or film or music studios — an MBA in media and entertainment can help you achieve your dreams. The types of topics involved in an online MBA or in-person degree deal with the marketing, management, client management, international development, and the legal and financial parts of the ever-changing industry, which has gone through a variety of seismic shifts over the past few years.
MBA in Non-Profit Management
For those who want to help the world through charitable giving, the best way to learn how to go about this is by pursuing an MBA in non-profit management. Candidates who are part of this degree will learn about every aspect of working in an NGO, including the ins and outs of setting up your own charity. Other topics that might be covered in such a degree include, but are not limited to, public policy, environmental policy, philanthropy, leadership, business administration, finance, accounting and technological implementation. Pursuing this type of degree is an especially good idea when the Bureau of Labor Statistics believes that this type of work will grow by 18% by 2026.
MBA in Accounting
The advantages of an MBA in accounting are numerous, especially when you consider that every business in the world needs an accountant at one point of another. Online MBA candidates can expect to learn about topics such as finance, cost accounting, cost management, tax planning, financial reporting, and business strategy, giving them the full overview to be able to slide into any accounting job with relative ease. Nonetheless, those wishing to pursue such a graduate program are expected to already hold a bachelor’s degree in a highly relevant subject.
MBA in Airport Management
Airports are such a complicated mix of different infrastructures that anyone wishing to participate in airport management usually needs to complete a dedicated MBA in airport management. The various topics included in such a degree include management process and behavior, air transport management, human resource management, airline marketing, entrepreneurship, business law, airport economics, and a deep understanding of airline law. As there is so much that needs to be covered in such a degree, one can expect this MBA to take at least two years to finish from beginning to end.
MBA in Biotechnology
An MBA in biotechnology is a relatively new qualification for people looking to combine their love of biotechnology with different aspects of business management. The typical topics that one can find in such a degree include principles of management, managerial economics, a broad introduction to life sciences and biotechnology, hi-tech environment resources management, plant management, health and safety, research and development management, and a whole host of topics designed to give one a complete overview of the industry. As the topic is so advanced, people with a graduate MBA degree in biotechnology can expect to command some of the best salaries in business.
