There are lots of MBA concentrations for students whose goal is to focus on a specific business area. Choosing a concentration early on will certainly help pave the way towards your career goal. Many students tend to choose what they believe to be safe MBA concentrations. However, on our list, besides those safe alternatives, we included MBA concentrations that you maybe haven’t even heard about. Among countless MBA concentrations and specializations out there, we picked out 12 of them that we consider to be the best. Did we get you curious already? Read on to find out all about them.
1. Accounting
An MBA with a concentration in Accounting is an amazing opportunity for MBA students whose undergraduate degree wasn’t in Accounting. It will help them learn all there is to know about financial accounting, taxation, and auditing through core courses. Besides the essential accounting skills, through business analysis training, team-building exercises, and the experience of working in corporates, you might also improve your soft skills like communication and presentation skills, collaboration, and many other business administration skills.
Graduates of MBA with a concentration in accounting hold accounting job positions in many different business fields in public or private companies or governmental agencies.
2. Finance
An MBA with a Finance concentration is an ideal program to get both technical, financial skills needed to work in financial institutions and the general management skills required to perform in different business situations. Through the four courses offered by this program, you’ll showcase your skills and knowledge in many different financial situations such as:
- Financial strategy
- Risk management
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Valuation and value creation
With an MBA degree concentrated in finance, you can become part of many financial institutions where you can put to use what you learned during your studies. Some of the job positions you can easily get are:
- Financial Analyst,
- Investment Analyst,
- Treasurer
3. Geospatial Intelligence
An MBA with a Geospatial Intelligence concentration will guide you in mastering the skills of using location-data to solve business challenges. Geospatial intelligence MBA graduates will obtain a mix of skills like a strong understanding of business strategy, and the ability to grasp how location intelligence can strengthen decision making and improve business performance and results. But if you happen to fall in love with the field you can always get a Master’s in Geospatial.
4. Healthcare Administration
An MBA with Healthcare Administration concentration is designed to prepare students with academic and professional knowledge and skills required from those interested to have a career in healthcare administration. This program provides training in:
- Healthcare finance
- Management
- Health information technology
- Healthcare economics
- health law and ethics
Unlike some might think, this degree doesn’t make you a doctor. Instead, the main focus is on the business aspect of healthcare, obtaining the needed business skills applicable in both fields. Those skills will help you strive in leadership positions, and manage people, resources, and other services within a healthcare organization.
An MBA degree in Healthcare Administration will open doors to numerous careers within healthcare. Here are just some of the professions you can choose from as an MBA graduate.
- Hospital Administrator
- Pharmaceutical Project Manager
- Policy Analyst
- Medical Entrepreneurship
5. Human Resources
An MBA with a Human Resources concentration will prepare prospective students to drive strategic initiatives and develop organizational talent. You will master the diverse competencies that human resources professionals of today should have. While you’ll gain the fundamental business administration skills, you’ll also specialize in:
- Implementing new procedures
- Solving conflicts
- Training personnel
- Managing employee benefits
All those being Human Resources skills.
With an MBA degree with a human resources concentration, you’ll be able to join the HR job market and have upper-level jobs such as:
- Human Resources Manager
- Human Resources Consultant
- Compensation Manager
6. Information Technology
An MBA with a concentration in Information Technology prepares students to become managers and leaders in IT. This program includes coursework in different areas such as:
- Leadership
- IT strategic solutions
- Financial management
- Project management
If you earn an Information Technology degree, then you are fully prepared for leadership roles in the IT job market. The list of jobs in IT, MBA graduates are eligible for are numerous including job positions like:
- IT Director
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Management Information System Director
7. International Business
An MBA with an International Business concentration provides students with a broad business background and helps students understand the strategic, operational, and behavioral aspects of managing in different countries. Through this program, students will have the chance to investigate the development of marketing strategies and methods on an international scale and learn all about the problems and risks associated with international business.
When it comes to careers in international business, MBA students can choose to work overseas or work for global companies based in America. Some of the roles in International Business are:
- Risk Management Director
- Corporate Auditing Director
- Business Development Manager
- Business Analytics Manager
8. Hospitality and Tourism
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Through an MBA with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism program, you will initially focus on general business principles and practices and then see how these practices will be applied in the hospitality industry. The program will prepare you in many different aspects, like:
- Adapting marketing tactics to new trends
- Maintaining a global perspective in business-decision making
- Managing budgets, staffing, vendors and chains of supply
- Overseeing the staff of different departments
Jobs you can do with an MBA in hospitality and tourism degree are numerous from:
- Guest Experience Manager
- Tourism Coordinator
- Hotel Director
- Director of Financial Planning
You’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
9. Management
An MBA with a concentration in Management offers students the knowledge and practices necessary for individuals to thrive in leadership roles within the business industry. Through this program, students will master the aspects of selecting, training, motivating, and managing members of their organization. They’ll also develop the skills to design and build strategies that will create advantages for their business and allow them to compete over the long term.
Generally, graduates of MBA in management use this degree to enhance further in their management careers across all types of organizations, be it small businesses, start-up companies, or non-profit industries.
10. Marketing
An MBA with a Marketing concentration prepares students to research and identify audience trends to build successful business strategies. The program will also help you create a network of professionals you will connect with during your university time that will prove useful in your professional career.
An MBA in marketing will prepare students for management positions in the field of marketing. Some of the positions you might choose from are:
- Promotions Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Management Consultant
- Marketing Manager
11. Project Management
An MBA with a concentration in Project Management offers students a general idea of objectives, tools, and measurements of project management. This MBA program will guide students to effectively contribute to their organizations’ success using a balance of theory and practical application.
Like many other MBA concentrations, graduates of MBA in project management have abundant job options to select from. The list includes job positions like:
- Project Manager
- Project Analyst
- Director of Operations
- General Manager
12. Public Policy
An MBA with a Public Policy concentration is designed to prepare students for careers that require a grasp of the interface between public and private sectors and the issues that include management of business enterprises and public or not-for-profit organizations. The program also teaches students how to decipher complex legislation, deliver innovative solutions, and contribute to policies that affect the community you live in.
As for the roles you can take on with an MBA in public policy, they are numerous and diverse. However, you have to choose whether you want to work within the government or follow a non-political route.
There you had them, the 12 best MBA concentrations we promised.
Indeed, there are many more concentrations you can add to your list for consideration. However, these are some of the concentrations that offer some of the best programs to students. They also have one other thing in common; the University of the Potomac offers all of them. (Fun fact: our MBA programs are among the most affordable in the country.)
With that being said, we encourage you to get in touch with us for additional information you might need.
