What Is an MBA? Your Guide to the Degree, Coursework, and Jobs
Learn about this graduate-level business degree, how to get one, and what you can do with it.
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The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate business degree with an emphasis on management and leadership. In the US, the MBA is the most popular graduate degree conferred [1]. Compared to other graduate degrees, the MBA has a solid reputation for providing a steady return on investment, leading to higher salaries, career advancement, and more.
Learn more about the MBA, including the different types to consider, what it takes to earn one, and who should get this graduate business degree. Afterward, if you think earning your MBA could be a good choice for your goals, consider the iMBA from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
What is an MBA?
An MBA is a master’s degree in business administration that's intended to advance your knowledge of business and other related subjects, such as marketing, finance, and operations. MBA programs are also a way to develop, formalize, and strengthen your leadership and managerial skills.
An MBA typically takes two years to earn if you're able to attend full-time. However, knowing that many students are working professionals, there are part-time and online programs available to consider that offer more flexibility and take three years or more to complete.
Common MBA concentrations
MBA concentrations are specialized areas of focus within an MBA program that allow you to develop expertise in a specific business field or industry by passing a number of relevant courses. Though not all MBA programs require that you choose a concentration, they can be a useful way to gain deeper knowledge about an area that interests you and in which you want to build or advance your career.
Common MBA concentrations include:
Strategy
Operations
Management
Marketing
MBA coursework
While each MBA program differs in its structure, MBA coursework typically focuses on business principles and related subjects, such as marketing, finance, accounting, economics, and operations. Outside of that core curriculum, you can typically customize your MBA through concentrations, elective classes, and internships with actual companies. These can help you develop distinctive skills to advance in your unique career.
Common MBA coursework can cover:
Business ethics
Strategic leadership
Business strategy
Digital marketing
Organizational management
Operations management
Managerial accounting
Corporate finance
Cultural psychology
Learn more: Is an MBA Worth It?
specialization
Strategic Leadership and Management
Leadership and Business Skill for Immediate Impact. Apply practical strategies to becoming an effective organizational leader.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Business Psychology, Leadership and Management, People Development, Sales, Change Management, Organizational Development, Conflict Management, Leadership, Negotiation, Influencing, Communication, Strategic Management, Operations Management, Business Strategy, Business Analysis, Problem Solving, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Planning, Marketing, Research and Design, Culture, Decision Making, Strategy and Operations, Leadership Development, Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Business Model, Defining Leadership, Trust in relationships, self-awareness, Ethical decision-making, Organizational Theories, Organization Design, Organizational Structure, People Analytics, Ethics, Organizational Culture, Organizational Change, Decision-Making, Strategic Leadership, Management, Mergers And Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Governance, Global Strategy, Diversification, Facilitate psychological safety, Create space for DEIB, Manage motivation and engagement, Navigate growth and change in teams, Develop team culture
Types of MBA programs
MBA degree programs aren't one-size-fits-all. Consider your lifestyle, career goals, and current employment situation to decide which program is right for you. Here’s a look at some common types of MBA degrees:
Full-time MBA: Traditional two-year programs typically involve taking a full course load, much like an undergraduate degree. These programs are best suited to students who don’t have to work full-time and can comfortably fund their degree without bringing in a regular paycheck.
Part-time MBA: Part-time MBA programs, sometimes called professional MBAs, offer flexibility and enhanced work-life balance for students who wish to pursue a degree over several years while working or raising a family. Students with an established career can continue earning valuable work experience while learning job skills that can be applied immediately. Some employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for employees who pursue a graduate degree while working.
Executive MBA: Executive MBA programs, also known as EMBAs, are two-year programs geared toward leaders and executives with several years of managerial experience. Since most students in these programs are working professionals, the format tends to be part-time, with classes on evenings and weekends. Expect a faster-paced learning environment with less immersion than a typical program. With the skills you learn from an EMBA, you can often build off your work experience to maximize your organizational impact.
Global MBA: Global MBAs (sometimes called international MBAs) are similar to traditional two-year MBAs but focus on international business principles and strategies. Students tend to come from countries around the world, which could be a good option for students who wish to work at international companies. Sometimes, global MBA programs offer or require a study abroad component.
Earn Your Degree
Who should get an MBA?
Typically, Master of Business Administration students enter their programs after gaining a few years of work experience (in nearly any field) and have long-term goals of working in any business area, particularly in leadership roles. Really, there's no one path to pursue an MBA. MBA students can—and often do—enter their programs from various backgrounds.
MBA degrees are not the only type of advanced business degree. Depending on your goals, financial situation, and more, you may want to consider a Master of Science in Management. Learn more about the key differences between the MSM and the MBA.
How to get an MBA: Online vs. on-campus
No matter which type of MBA degree you decide to pursue, you may have the option to complete your coursework on a college campus, online, or a hybrid of the two. Each method comes with its own set of benefits. This decision is all about how an MBA program best fits into your lifestyle.
Online MBAs
Online MBA programs available through accredited universities, like the iMBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offer access to the same professors and learning materials as on-campus programs with the added benefit of a flexible schedule. You can learn virtually anywhere on a desktop or mobile device—no need to quit your job or relocate to attend a highly ranked business school.
These programs are sometimes less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. Since you can learn at your own pace, you’ll have the option to work full-time (and bring in a regular paycheck).
“If a student is comfortable in joining and being fully engaged in an online setting, then an online degree will provide them with more opportunities to establish connections,” says Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Clinical Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois. “I say more because, in terms of time needed to ‘speak’ or ‘meet’ others in an online environment, it’s less taxing than doing the same for in-person settings.”
On-campus MBAs
If you choose to pursue an on-campus MBA, you’ll typically attend classes in person on a fixed schedule. These traditional MBA programs often attract candidates who want to take advantage of a university campus's facilities, extracurricular activities, and overall community.
Networking often takes place face-to-face, both with professors and other students. However, you may have to consider relocating, particularly if you have an eye for a specific school or specialization.
MBA jobs: What can you do with an MBA?
By earning this degree, you can build a foundation for a new career or prepare yourself for better, often higher-paying opportunities. You can gain functional job skills and a well-recognized credential to potentially attract recruiters and hiring managers in various fields.
MBA graduates can work across a variety of industries, though a 2023 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey of corporate recruiters found that there is a high demand for MBA graduates in the energy, consulting, products and services, and manufacturing industries [2].
Some jobs you may be qualified to pursue with an MBA include:
Learn more: MBA Degree Salary: Your Guide
specialization
Financial Management
Become a Strategic Financial Manager . Develop an integrated financial management framework.
4.7
Intermediate level
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Risk Management, Investment Strategy, Accruals, Financial Market, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Cash Flow Statements, Mergers and Acquisitions, Debt, Stocks (Finance), Corporate Finance, Financial Statements, Mergers And Acquisitions (M&A), Leadership and Management, Project, Investment Management, Accounting, Finance, Decision Making, Cash Flow Statement, General Accounting, Cash Flow, Financial Statement, Investment, Strategy, Stock, Accrual, Financial Markets
MBA application requirements
Admission requirements vary by school, but applications may require the following:
Academic transcripts
Resume to show professional experience
In-person or video interview
While professional experience is not always necessary, some programs have specific work experience requirements. Previous experience could help you better gauge what you want from your degree and equip you to apply what you’re learning to your career. Other programs may allow recent graduates or even current bachelor’s students to participate in a combined Bachelor's and MBA program if they want to launch their careers quickly.
Standardized test scores, including the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), were once standard, heavily weighted requirements. Today, more and more schools are moving to a test-optional policy, particularly for executive and online MBA programs.
Some programs, like the iMBA from the University of Illinois and the Master of Business Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology, allow students to enroll through a performance-based admission process. Learners who want to try out the program or are unsure if they meet the minimum requirements can take classes and earn academic credit before fully enrolling as degree-seeking students.
Earn your MBA through Coursera
If you're interested in learning more about earning a valuable MBA degree online, here are some steps you can take:
Try an open course from the University of Illinois or Illinois Institute of Technology to see if an MBA is right for you.
Article sources
National Center for Education Statistics. "Graduate Degree Fields, https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/ctb/graduate-degree-fields." Accessed April 2, 2025.
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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
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