A Master of Business Administration brings with it tremendous prestige and countless potential career benefits. That’s why so many degree holders take pride in saying, “I’m an MBA.” It’s a degree that can define your professional expertise and underscores your dedication to reaching higher. For many professionals, a graduate degree is a pathway to coveted leadership roles within their current company or with a prospective employer.
Arguably the most valued business credential, an MBA doesn’t just come in one “flavor.” There are concentrations or specializations within business that are often the foundation of an MBA program. With different programs available, and a more rewarding career awaiting you, determining which program you want to join is often easier said than done.
Picking an MBA concentration begins with asking yourself a few questions:
What are your areas of interest?
Finance? Accounting? Marketing? If you’re unsure, a general MBA, which examines all the aspects of business, may be your best bet. If you start a general MBA program and then realize you want to switch to another concentration, you can do so by completing a Graduate Change of Program Request. Many of the core courses are the same across UT Permian Basin’s online MBA programs, so you may be able to keep the credits you’ve already earned toward the degree.
No matter which concentration you choose, the commonalities among our MBA programs will give you a comprehensive understanding of how today’s business world operates. Business is becoming increasingly data driven, with analytics applications providing data that enables managers to make informed business decisions. Each one of our MBA programs has an analytics course as part of its curriculum. Another integral part of that curriculum is International Business, which addresses the complexities of conducting business in our global marketplace. All successful business professionals must have a firm grounding in these topics.
If you’re already interested in a specific area of business before applying to one of our MBA programs, you’ll probably want to choose the program with that concentration. However, there’s another question you may want to ask yourself first:
Where is the demand in the business world?
Factors like demand and compensation for professionals with specialized MBA degrees merit consideration as part of your MBA decision-making process. Consider information published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) regarding projected growth from 2020 to 2030 in a few MBA-related job sectors:
- Jobs for market research analysts will grow by 22%, or 163,600 jobs—much faster than the average for all occupations. Concentration: Marketing
- Jobs for financial managers will grow by 17%—much faster than the average for all occupations—with a median annual salary of $131,710. Concentration: Finance or Energy Business
- Marketing managers will experience 10% growth with a median annual salary of $133,380. Concentration: Marketing
- Jobs for accountants and auditors will experience a steady 7% growth rate, or close to 100,000 jobs. Concentration: Accounting
UT Permian Basin’s Online MBA Programs
UT Permian Basin offers five online MBAs, four of which feature concentrations that enable you to focus on an area of interest:
You can complete this 30-36-credit program in as little as one year.
You can complete this 33-42-credit program in as little as four semesters.
You can complete this 33-42-credit program in as little as four semesters.
You can complete this 33-42-credit program in as little as four semesters.
You can complete this 36-45-credit program in as little as four semesters and add two respected credentials to your resume.
Benefits of Our Online MBA Programs
Regardless of which MBA program you decide upon, you’ll be able to enjoy many of the same benefits during your studies and beyond. These include:
AACSB Accreditation
When you choose UT Permian Basin for your MBA, you can be sure you’ll get a top-quality education. Our College of Business’ business administration programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). A designation shared by only 5% of business programs worldwide, AACSB accreditation is your assurance that our program was founded on and maintains the highest academic standards.
Online Convenience
UT Permian Basin’s online programs offer unmatched convenience and flexibility. The online format enables you to complete coursework on your own schedule, 24/7, from just about any location in the world. Your professional and personal commitments need no longer keep you from going back to school for a graduate degree.
Affordability
UT Permian Basin is widely acknowledged as having some of the most affordable tuition rates among accredited higher education institutions.
Higher Salary and Employment Potential
According to the BLS, master’s degree holders earn almost 20% more than those who have only a bachelor’s degree. In addition, the BLS reports that individuals who’ve attained higher levels of education are also more likely to stay employed. It can literally pay to have an MBA!
If you’re considering an online MBA program from UT Permian Basin but aren’t quite sure which concentration is right for you, academic advisors are always here to guide you. If you’re ready to get started, apply now.