MBA Concentrations to Choose From

In today’s competitive job market, few graduate degrees open as many doors as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) does. And there are now numerous MBA concentrations to choose from, allowing MBA students to customize their degrees based on their interests.

By pursuing an MBA degree with a relevant concentration, professionals can take a step toward moving their career forward in the industry and a position that best suits their goals.

What Is an MBA?

An MBA is a graduate degree for business professionals who are ready to advance to higher-level business roles or pivot to entrepreneurship by starting a business. The programs for these degrees provide students with the skills they will need to excel in executive-level roles, including deep knowledge of finance, information systems, strategic management, and leadership.

MBA concentrations give students access to courses that are focused on a specific industry or business function after they complete their required core business courses. Students generally must complete 24 credit hours of core courses, which may include courses covering the following topics:

Managerial accounting
Management information systems
Products and systems management
Economic analysis
Financial policies
Marketing strategy

8 MBA Concentrations to Choose From

MBA students usually choose an MBA concentration based on their current or desired future career. The types of courses included in a concentration vary significantly, but they generally focus on one specific industry or business function.

Consider the following eight MBA concentrations.

Commercial Real Estate

A commercial real estate concentration equips students with the necessary business acumen to thrive in high-level real estate roles. Courses may cover the following topics:

Fundamentals of real estate
Real estate investment and finance
Real estate development

Graduates of the MBA program with a commercial real estate concentration pursue careers in real estate finance, development, and investment management. Some work for themselves, some as part of a firm, and others for a specific employer.

Cybersecurity

An MBA program in cybersecurity provides students with a business-level view of cybersecurity, preparing them for management and even executive-level roles. Courses may cover the following topics:

Cybersecurity technology and management
Cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and penetration testing
Cybersecurity law, policy, and risk management

After completing the program, graduates go on to fill high-paying roles such as chief information security officer (CISO), information technology (IT) security consultant or manager, and cybersecurity analyst.

Data Analytics

The data analytics concentration prepares MBA students to support high-level business decision-making using advanced data techniques. Graduates develop the advanced skills they need to perform statistical analysis and to interpret data. Courses may cover the following topics:

Topics in regression analysis
Topics in categorical data analysis
Special topics in data analysis

Graduates go on to become data analysts, business intelligence analysts, and decision-makers in a wide range of industries, including finance, technology, and marketing.

Hospitality Management

An MBA program in hospitality management prepares students for managerial and executive roles in the global hospitality industry, including roles in hotels, tourism companies, and service businesses. Courses may cover the following topics:

Global hospitality and tourism operation
Hospitality services marketing
Contemporary hospitality service

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers, including entrepreneurship and management, and executive roles in the hospitality industry. The roles they fill include hotel manager, event planning manager, hospitality consultant, and revenue manager.

Information Systems Management

The information systems management MBA concentration provides students with high-level IT skills, preparing them to lead in technology environments. Courses may cover the following topics:

Cybersecurity technology and management
Applied database systems for managers
Project management

Program graduates pursue a wide range of growing roles, including information systems manager, business analyst, chief information officer (CIO), and IT consultant. Many graduates open their own successful consulting firms, taking on numerous clients rather than working for a single employer.

Marketing

The MBA program in marketing provides students with the skills and knowledge required for marketing leadership positions across a wide range of industries. Courses may cover the following topics:

Professional selling and sales management
Health care marketing
Customer relationship management

Many graduates of the program successfully create or join marketing firms catering to a specific industry, such as health care or technology. Others choose to become marketing managers, brand strategists, and market research analysts.

Wealth Management

The wealth management MBA concentration helps students hone the skills they need to work in financial planning, portfolio management, and advisory roles, particularly with clients who have a high net worth. Courses may cover the following topics:

Survey of personal financial planning
Retirement planning and estate planning
Investment theory and practice

Graduates go on to become financial advisers, portfolio managers, private bankers, tax advisers, investment analysts, and estate planners.

General Management

The general management concentration provides students with a broad overview of business administration and allows them to choose their own mix of courses from those mentioned above. This can be beneficial for students who work for firms serving multiple industries or for those who simply want a less specialized education.

Earn Your MBA in the Concentration of Your Choice With NCCU

In the professional world, choosing an MBA concentration shows potential employers that you have in-depth knowledge of a specific industry or business function. By focusing on your career goals and your business interests, you can choose a concentration that not only gives you the business acumen required to reach your goals but also qualifies you for credentials that can set you apart from your peers.

When you enroll in NCCU Online’s MBA program, you can choose from eight MBA concentrations, each of which offers a unique perspective on how modern business knowledge and skills can be used to succeed in a different area.

Not sure which MBA concentration fits your goals? Choosing the right concentration depends on your background, career goals, and industry interests. An enrollment advisor can help you compare options, understand career pathways, and determine which concentration aligns best with your professional plans.

Learn more about how NCCU Online can help you kick-start your high-level management or leadership career today, and talk with an advisor to explore your MBA concentration options.

Recommended Readings

Brand Manager vs. Marketing Manager: Roles Explained

Benefits of a Business Degree

What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?

Sources:

Indeed, “A Guide to MBA Career Paths (With Benefits and Jobs)”

Indeed, “What Is an MBA? (Plus Benefits, Types and Courses)”

Indeed, “Why Get an MBA Degree? 11 Career Benefits to Know About”

Indeed, “14 of the Highest-Paid MBA Majors (With Descriptions)”

LinkedIn, “Beyond the Degree: The Future of MBA Careers in a Transforming World”