The Value of Specializing With an MBA

More people are pursuing a Master of Business Administration online than ever before. Fifty percent of online MBA programs reported an increase in applications for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The online MBA is an attractive option for working professionals seeking to gain further expertise and a salary increase. It’s also great for individuals looking to change professions. The flexibility and affordability as well as the opportunity to network with cohort members and faculty all add to the appeal of online MBA programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects management occupations to grow 7% through 2028 in the United States, which means an estimated 706,900 new jobs — and more reason to explore how an online MBA from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration could benefit you.

Why Choose YSU’s Online MBA Program?

YSU’s Williamson College of Business holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is considered the gold standard for business school accreditation worldwide.

Specializations have the potential to give MBA graduates an edge, and YSU offers three options to choose from: leadership, marketing, and healthcare management. All three programs require 18 credit hours of core courses, six credit hours of leadership courses and six hours of elective courses — all of which are delivered in an accelerated format. You could be finished in as few as 14 months. Multiple start dates and the option to pay by the course make YSU’s online MBA programs convenient and affordable. The cost of program tuition is $13,500 ($13,650 for out-of-state students).

MBA – General

This specialization gives prospective students the opportunity to gain a strong business foundation in areas such as economics, financial management, marketing and operations, and learn how to be analytical and strategic in approaching workplace decisions. As part of the tools and best practices required for success in managerial and leadership positions, graduates will have a working knowledge of corporate planning and organizational management.

MBA in Marketing

The evolution of technology has changed the way brands market their goods and services, forcing employers to look for candidates with not only leadership skills but also a knowledge of the marketing landscape. There is a strong focus on mobile marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing. This specialization equips students with the forward-thinking mindset needed to manage in the digital realm, and the added bonus of the embedded leadership component making it a dual-specialization program.

Possible occupations for graduates:

  • Advertising manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Social media director

MBA in Healthcare Management

This specialization prepares graduates for work in the ever-evolving healthcare marketplace, an industry projected to add 18% more jobs through 2028. Coursework includes strategic planning, budgeting and healthcare reform legislation. Students will also benefit from the embedded dual-specialization in leadership, leaving them well-positioned for senior management roles.

Possible occupations for graduates:

  • Healthcare facility administrator
  • Clinical manager
  • Health information manager
  • Hospital medical director

Employers want their MBA hires to have a strong understanding of business concepts, the necessary people-oriented skills to be successful leaders and the ability to apply it all in the workplace. YSU’s accredited, 100% online graduate business program prepares graduates to immediately demonstrate these skills in upper-management roles.

Learn more about Youngstown State University’s online MBA programs.


Sources:

Graduate Management Admission Council: Application Trends Survey 2019

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Management Occupations

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Top Executives

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Medical and Health Services Managers

International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences: MBA Program Sustainability

Academy of Educational Leadership Journal: A Triangulation Assessment – The Value of an MBA Degree

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