What Is an MBA? Your Guide to the Degree, Coursework, and Jobs

Key takeaways

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate business degree with concentrations in finance, management, marketing, and more.

• In an MBA program, you can develop and strengthen your leadership and management skills to prepare you for a variety of roles.

• Common MBA coursework includes business ethics, digital marketing, organizational management, corporate finance, and cultural psychology. 

• You can earn a full-time, part-time, executive, or global MBA, choosing one based on your lifestyle, career goals, and current employment.

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. 

What is an MBA degree?

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. In the US, the MBA is the most popular graduate degree conferred [1].

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

• Finance

• Operations

• Business analytics

• Management

• Consulting

• 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?

Is an MBA very hard?

MBA programs are challenging, but establishing a study routine, support system, and prioritizing tasks can help you manage the workload. Some students find the quantitative classes, such as statistics, finance, and accounting, to be the most challenging. Additionally, balancing MBA coursework requirements with work and life responsibilities can be difficult. As a result, time management is essential during your MBA program.

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. 

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 with 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 2025 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey of corporate recruiters found that industries like finance and accounting, technology, and manufacturing especially value MBA graduates[2].

Some jobs you may be qualified to pursue with an MBA include:

• Financial analyst

• Human resources manager

• Operations manager

• Management consultant

• Marketing manager

• Business development manager

MBA application requirements

Admission requirements vary by school, but applications may require the following:

• Academic transcripts

• Resume to show professional experience

• GRE or GMAT test scores

• Essay or personal statement

• Letters of professional recommendation

• 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.

Stay up-to-date with free resources

Join us on Career Chat, where you can explore emerging industry trends, access career tips, and more. The following free resources can help you prepare for your MBA and a career in business:

• Read our Career Chat issue: Business Professionals + GenAI: Saving Time and Increasing Performance 

• Hear from a fellow learner: Earning an M.B.A. While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler 

• Watch on YouTube: MBA vs Micro-Credentials: Which Is Right for You?

Earn your degree on a schedule that works for you with degree programs available from esteemed college and university partners on Coursera.