If someone says they have an MBA, they mean they have a Master of Business Administration degree. MBA programs are designed to help students develop the skills they may need to pursue their business career goals.

If you're looking to bolster your skills in management, marketing, human resources or other business functions, an MBA could be right for you. Read on to learn more about this versatile degree.

What are the types of MBA programs?

MBA programs generally teach you about management and leadership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing and communications.

“The skills and knowledge an MBA student would gain include both soft skills in areas such as business communications and people management as well as technical skills in areas like finance and operations management,” says Mary Carr, senior vice provost and dean of the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University. Other soft skills might include relationship-building, problem-solving and productivity. And other technical skills might include project management, process improvement, financial management and market analysis.

At Strayer University, MBA students select from 16 concentrations so they can customize their learning to reflect their interests and career goals. Concentration areas include acquisitions, digital entrepreneurship, human resource management, project management and more.

What skills is an MBA good for?

Through an MBA, you learn what it takes to work in the business field. You learn to formulate action plans to address real-world business challenges, analyze market dynamics and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions and more.

“A big part of the Strayer University MBA program is learning how to solve problems. Being able to solve problems in a way that improves the performance of the organization is a critical skill to have,” Carr says. “Every business decision you make affects people. Learning how to make better decisions will positively impact the people in the organization while also improving the organization’s performance and, as such, is a high-demand skill in all organizations.”

What are the MBA admission requirements?

Every college or university may have different admission requirements for an MBA program. At Strayer University, it’s recommended to connect with an admissions officer to discuss the program you’re interested in pursuing to see if it would be a good fit. There are just a few steps from there. Complete your application and enrollment agreement, share proof of your completed bachelor’s degree, provide official copies of transcripts and make sure you have a valid and current photo ID.

Strayer’s MBA program consists of ten 11-week courses, including several required courses in business communications, strategic management, leadership and organizational behavior, marketing management and business statistics.

In addition to an MBA program, Strayer University offers master’s degree programs in related topics. There are similarities between the MBA and other master’s programs, but each program's content is unique. “An MBA program contains content related to operating, managing and running all aspects of a business,” Carr explains. “Strayer University also offers master’s degrees in management, human resources or accounting, which all relate to business, but may not contain all the general manager components of an MBA program.”

Is an MBA worth it?

If you hope to become a business professional, an MBA might be worth it for you.

"You have to look at your goals and what you want to accomplish in your career," Carr advises. "Evaluate what you want to learn about, consider your goals, and then evaluate the program to ensure it aligns with your goals."

Also, consider what kind of MBA program might be best for you based on factors like flexibility, program length and admission requirements. For example, is it important to you that the program be in person, or would a virtual program better suit your schedule and lifestyle?

No matter the program you choose, once you join the business world, you can reflect on your MBA assignments and experiences to help make more informed decisions and work toward  better outcomes.

Learn more about Strayer University’s online MBA offerings.