How Can I Get This Degree?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offered through the University of Phoenix is designed to equip students with the managerial skills they need to be effective business leaders in today’s dynamic global business environment. Upon completion of the MBA program students should be able to develop systematic solutions to a business’s organizational problems, cultivate human capital and critically examine viable options in times of uncertainty. To get this degree, students complete 36-54 credit hours, depending on their area of concentration. MBA specializations include accounting, marketing, energy management, global management, health care management, human resource management, project management, small business management and technology management. Students can keep their studies interdisciplinary or concentrate in up to two areas. Concentration courses will differ by specialization but you can expect required core courses to include economics, organizational leadership, business law, operations management and applied business research and statistics. Each course lasts six weeks, which keeps students moving through the program at a steady pace. The estimated cost per credit is $685, with most courses consisting of three credits.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

After earning an MBA, graduates with relevant work experience are qualified for top-level jobs in a broad array of applicable fields, such as finance, accounting, banking, economics, management and even health care, on the business end. Job titles might include business/financial analyst, marketing manager, CFO, CEO, systems manager, accounts manager, financial controller or business data/information specialist. Generally employers look to hire experienced professionals with MBAs for management and supervisory positions because of the additional leadership training the MBA provides. The job outlook for graduates with MBAs will improve as the economy recovers, and Bloomberg Businessweek reported in February on positive signs that the MBA job market is improving, such as a rebound in MBA job postings. Online compensation site Payscale.com reveals that selected MBA careers earn individuals anywhere between $63,534 and $206,901 with the highest salaries claimed by CEOs, CFOs, marketing directors and finance managers. The average annual salary for a financial analyst is $73,150, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are interested in moving up in the business world, then an MBA may be the right choice for you.