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A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree program that provides a mix of theoretical and practical education for students interested in business management. Depending on the school, MBA programs can accommodate full- or part-time students; they can be in-person, online, or hybrid programs. Additionally, Executive MBA programs are designed specifically for professionals who want to further their education while continuing to work.Ìý

For those interested in pursuing this avenue, understanding that different types of MBA degrees exist is key. There are general MBA programs as well as specialized programs in areas such as executive MBAs in healthcare management, sport and recreation management, and strategic leadership.Ìý

What Is an MBA Degree?

An MBA degree program provides students with the tools and skills they need to navigate business management across industries. Core concepts include marketing, organizational behavior, project management, and finance. MBA programs can prepare graduates for numerous roles, including financial analyst, human resources (HR) manager, marketing director, and CEO, in almost any industry.

To gain admission to MBA programs, graduates generally need a bachelor’s degree. Some colleges and universities also require that students pass the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)—or, in some cases, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)—and complete any other school-specific requirements. However, some MBA programs do not require the GMAT or GRE. Programs typically take about two years to complete, depending on the delivery method.

Some institutions also offer executive MBA programs (EMBAs), which are tailored for professionals who have multiple years of experience and are looking to advance their leadership skills in specific areas. They usually continue to work full time throughout their careers.Ìý

MBA Curriculum

Core coursework in a general MBA program may cover areas such as the following: 

• Accounting for leaders
• Managerial finance
• Leadership and change in organizations
• Marketing strategies
• Organizational communication for leaders
• Organizational economics
• HR as a strategic partner
• Strategic project management
• Ethical decision-making for leaders
• Operational planning and policy
• Quality and technology in the workplace

Students can also choose from numerous electives that allow them to focus on the specific areas of business administration in which they have the most interest. If they choose a specialized program, such as an MBA in Healthcare Management, Sport and Recreation Management, or Strategic Leadership, they’ll take courses dedicated to those fields in addition to core business management courses.Ìý

MBA in Healthcare Management

Healthcare management is a popular type of MBA degree, as it opens the door to numerous high-paying careers that allow graduates to make a real difference in the delivery of patient care. Geared toward established and up-and-coming leaders in the health industry, an MBA in Healthcare Management program is designed to help students develop important critical thinking skills, manage health-related projects, and understand the function of marketing within healthcare organizations, among other competencies.Ìý

Curriculum

An MBA in Healthcare Management focuses on the standard course requirements for an MBA while adding healthcare-specific studies. Courses a student in such a program may see include the following: 

• Healthcare Optimization: Quality and Lean Strategies: This course involves creating a work environment based on the principles of total quality management (TQM) involves numerous policies and tools designed to improve leadership and employee or team productivity. This course also focuses on lean manufacturing, an approach to production that can be applied to various types of business.  
• Comparative Health Systems Analysis: This course is focused on the methods of delivering and financing American healthcare. It compares the advantages and disadvantages of various models. Students also learn to create and evaluate policies based on their cost, quality, and equity. The course focuses on current events and issues in healthcare, such as new technologies and rising costs.  
• Essentials of Health Informatics: In this course, students learn more about health information systems and analytics while navigating the complexities of managing a healthcare system. Major topics covered in this course include health information design, storage, and management.Ìý

Career Outcomes

MBA in Healthcare Management graduates can enjoy a wide range of careers, whether they prefer to focus on the financial aspects of managing health systems or delve into staff or information management.Ìý

Hospital CEO

Hospital CEOs are professionals who oversee the strategies and policies that drive hospital operations. Though their duties can vary based on the size and capabilities of the facility, their most common responsibilities include the following:

• Establishing policies and goals
• Overseeing staff
• Overseeing budget and finances
• Consulting with other executives and board members
• Appointing managers and department leaders
• Analyzing sales reports or other performance indicators
• Finding areas to cut costs while improving the delivery of care

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that chief executives, including hospital CEOs, earned a median annual salary of $206,680 as of May 2023. Their overall employment is projected to rise by 5% between 2023 and 2033 as more facilities come to depend on their top executives to ensure smooth operations and make high-level decisions.Ìý

Medical and Health Services Manager

Medical and health services managers cover a wide range of managerial responsibilities inside hospitals, clinics, and medical networks. These individuals coordinate and oversee healthcare providers’ business activities. Though their responsibilities can vary based on facility size and offerings, most medical and health services managers carry out the following tasks regularly:

• Setting goals and developing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the delivery of healthcare
• Ensuring that facilities or networks comply with federal and local laws and regulations
• Recruiting, training, supervising, and disciplining staff members
• Representing facilities at meetings 
• Keeping records of facility services 

The median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Those working in state, local, and private hospitals earned more, with an average of $128,740. Employment is projected to grow by a strong 29% between 2023 and 2033 as demand grows for healthcare and for more specialized professionals to manage facilities and networks.Ìý

MBA in Sport and Recreation Management

An MBA in Sport and Recreation Management is another type of MBA degree, providing comprehensive education to prepare graduates to tackle the roles and responsibilities of college-level sports administration. It combines an in-depth analysis of the sport industry with leadership skills, strategic management, analytics, and decision-making to prepare students for numerous career opportunities.Ìý

Curriculum

An MBA in Sport and Recreation Management focuses on the standard course requirements for an MBA while adding sport management-related studies. Courses a student in such a program may see include the following:

• Management and Practice in Sports and Recreation: Students learn about the structure and oversight of sport-related organizations and how to manage sporting events and facilities. The course covers policymaking, diversity, and finance as applied to managing a team.  

• Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports: Leaders in sport and recreation are called upon to make ethical decisions every day. This in-depth course covers ethical decision-making and the role stakeholders have in that process. Furthermore, the course explores various modern legal issues that can arise, from statutory and tort law to contracts.  

• Current Issues in Sports and Recreation Management: Numerous issues can arise in sport and recreation management, including physical and mental health concerns, misconduct, and the environmental impact of sporting events. This course allows students to investigate the impact of these issues on athletes, spectators, and the sporting industry as a whole.Ìý

Career Outcomes

Students with an MBA in Sport and Recreation Management can choose from various careers, whether they prefer working directly with athletes or in a more behind-the-scenes role.Ìý

Director of Facility Operations

A director of facility operations is a professional who coordinates activities within a sporting facility, such as a baseball stadium or football stadium. Their duties often include the following:

• Supervising staff
• Recommending policy and procedural changes to improve operations, including safety and finances
• Ensuring that facilities are safe and well maintained
• Overseeing facility repairs and maintenance 
• Ensuring that facilities comply with environmental, health, and security regulations 

According to the BLS, administrative services and facilities managers, including directors of facility operations, earned a median annual salary of $106,470 as of May 2023. Overall employment is projected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033, driven by a greater focus on the safety, environmental impact, and upkeep of sporting facilities.Ìý

Public Relations Director

Public relations (PR) directors are responsible for helping sport teams maintain a positive image with the general public. Though they do tend to work in offices during regular business hours, many PR directors travel frequently to meet with stakeholders, advertisers, and the media. Their primary duties include the following: 

• Helping develop their clients’ or teams’ identity and image with relevant parties
• Determining target audiences and the best ways to engage with them
• Designating or serving as a spokesperson for media questions
• Preparing information for media outlets
• Helping with the design and distribution of advertising and other promotions 
• Overseeing PR staff

The BLS reports that PR directors earned a median annual salary of $119,200 as of May 2023. Those working in the management of companies and enterprises, including sport teams, earned $166,880. The employment of PR directors is projected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, spurred by the increasing emphasis on community engagement and outreach.Ìý

MBA in Strategic Leadership

A master’s degree in strategic leadership is a type of MBA degree designed primarily for individuals who aspire to high-level leadership roles. It focuses on several key areas: goal setting, decision-making, transformational leadership, and ethical and civic-minded leadership.Ìý

Curriculum

An MBA in Strategic Leadership includes the core requirements of an MBA while adding leadership-focused studies. Courses a student in such a program may see include the following:

• Relationship Selling Strategies: Many business positions require familiarity with sales. This course introduces decision-making through fundamental concepts, critical decision areas, and sales management.  

• Organizational Communication, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution: Leaders must be exceptional at communication, including negotiation and conflict resolution. This course explores the psychological link between leaders and followers, equipping students with the skills they need to thrive.  

• Project Management: Leaders often manage projects of varying sizes. This course explores team building, time management, and budgetary considerations as applied to different projects.  

• Professional and Organizational Ethics: This course explores the moral and social impacts of decision-making at the organizational level. Morality, the development of morals, and the relationship between morality and loyalty are all important concepts.  

• Internship in Business Administration: Students may also participate in an internship that gives them the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and solve real-world issues.Ìý

Career Outcomes

MBA in Strategic Leadership graduates can go on to enjoy many different roles and careers, from researchers and investment analysts to marketing managers.Ìý

Research Analyst

A research analyst is a type of data scientist who uses data to inform future organizational decisions. They extract meaningful insights from existing data, assisting organizations with finances, service delivery, and more. Their primary duties include the following:

• Choosing the most useful tool for a particular project or need
• Categorizing and analyzing data
• Creating and updating algorithms and models designed to extract meaningful data from databases
• Presenting findings to department heads, executives, shareholders, and other decision-makers
• Assisting stakeholders with important business decisions based on the results of data analyses

The median annual salary for data scientists was $108,020 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Those working in scientific and research development services earned $126,430. Employment in this role is projected to jump by 36% between 2023 and 2033, driven primarily by an increased demand for more effective data-driven decisions.Ìý

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are essential for creating and executing plans to generate interest in their employers’ or clients’ products and services. Their primary duties and responsibilities include the following: 

• Discussing budgets, contracts, marketing plans, and media with other staff and departments
• Planning campaigns, such as contests, to improve brand loyalty and reach targeted audiences
• Determining advertising channels, including social media, television, or radio broadcasts
• Developing strategies for analyzing existing customer data to drive future decisions
• Overseeing the hiring, training, and management of marketing staff

According to the BLS, marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $157,620 as of May 2023. Overall employment in the role is projected to grow by 8% between 2023 and 2033, though it may vary based on industry and occupation. The continued rise of digital media is expected to increase the demand for marketing managers skilled in digital advertising.Ìý

Lead Businesses in Every Industry to Success With an MBA

All types of MBA degrees can open doors to significant career opportunities, whether students prefer working in finance, health, leadership roles, marketing, or sport.Ìý

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s online and hybrid MBA degrees are geared toward new graduates and working professionals interested in taking their careers to the next level. It offers online and hybrid MBA programs in healthcare management (including an Executive MBA option), an online MBA in Sport and Recreation Management, and an online MBA in Strategic Leadership.

Learn more about how you can earn your MBA in the concentration of your choice with NEC.Ìý