What is an MBA Degree? Understanding the MBA Degree and Its Value

If you’ve been considering furthering your education to enhance your career prospects, you may want to ask, what is an MBA degree?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a prestigious graduate degree that equips professionals with critical business, leadership, and strategic management skills. Designed for individuals seeking career advancement, an MBA program covers essential areas such as finance, marketing, operations, and entrepreneurship.

As the business landscape evolves, the value of an MBA remains significant, offering both knowledge and networking opportunities that can lead to leadership roles in various industries. Whether your goal is climbing the corporate ladder, transitioning into a new field, or launching a business, understanding what an MBA entails is key to making an informed decision.

Why Is This Degree Important?

Key Benefits of Getting an MBA Degree

An MBA offers numerous advantages that can significantly impact your career. Some of the top benefits include:

• Career Advancement: Many graduates move into higher management or executive positions.
• Increased Earning Potential: MBA holders typically earn higher salaries compared to those with only a bachelor's degree.
• Stronger Professional Network: MBA programs provide valuable access to alumni, faculty, and industry leaders.
• Entrepreneurial Skills: An MBA equips you with the knowledge to start and manage your own business.

Career Paths for MBA Degree Holders

So, what can you do with an MBA degree? The possibilities range from executive management and consulting to finance and marketing leadership.

Graduates from an MBA program will be prepared for mid- to advanced careers including roles such as:

• Accounting Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Senior Accountant
• Marketing Specialist
• Director of Operations
• Client Service Manager
• Business Analyst
• Financial Analysis

Core Curriculum: Skills Gained in an MBA Degree

One of the most common questions prospective students ask is: What does an MBA teach you? An MBA program helps you develop:

• Leadership and Decision-Making Skills: Essential for managing teams and organizations.
• Strategic Thinking and Business Analysis: Understanding market trends and business operations.
• Financial and Analytical Skills: Making data-driven business decisions.
• Communication and Networking: Engaging effectively with colleagues, investors, and clients.
• Innovation and Problem-Solving: Applying creative solutions to business challenges.
• Human Capital & Organizational Performance: Focusing on the human and structural aspects of organizational management.

This [MBA] program allowed me to work at my own pace, which was critical since I continued to work full-time and take classes in the evenings. I was able to apply real life experiences, and was able to share those in class and apply them to my homework and project work. The program was very relevant to what I was working on daily.

– Christy Hayduk, MBA, VP and HR Business Partner, Global Infrastructure, Valmont Industries, Inc.

MBA Admission Requirements

Pursuing an MBA requires meeting certain admission criteria. The admissions process at Bellevue University is designed to be straightforward—no GRE or GMAT required. Depending on the college or program, here’s a list of what might be required for admissions:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Professional experience (two to five years is common).
• Standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE, though some programs do not require any test scores)
• Personal statements, interviews, and recommendation letters that demonstrate leadership potential and career aspirations. (optional, depending upon the programs)

Some institutions, like Bellevue University, streamline graduate admission requirements to remove barriers such as the GMAT or GRE to make education more accessible while maintaining a rigorous academic standard.

Is an MBA Degree Right for You?

Deciding whether an MBA is the right choice depends on your career aspirations and personal circumstances. An MBA can help you:

• Gain a broad understanding of business functions.
• Move into a leadership role or change industries.
• Build a strong professional network.
• Increase your earning potential.

If these are your goals, then an MBA could be a great fit.

Bellevue University’s program is tailored for working professionals, offering two online MBA options–a traditional MBA format with multiple concentration options to personalize your focus, or the Online MBA cohort option–which both make it easier to balance education with work and life commitments.

Our degree programs have an Advisory Committee of accomplished professionals who provide recommendations on the expertise students will need. In addition, professors conduct job market research. Then, we prioritize the knowledge and skills that are most important for student success.

– Merrill Johnson, Associate Professor, MBA program

Your Questions, Answered By The Experts

How long does it take to earn an MBA degree?

A: Full-time students: Typically takes 2–3 years to complete if attending full-time time at a pace of 6 credit hours per term for three terms per academic year. Part-time students may take longer. See also How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree?

What are the requirements to enroll in the MBA program?

A: The admissions process at Bellevue University is designed to be straightforward—no GRE or GMAT required. You are required to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or a U.S. equivalent degree, and maintained a GPA of 2.5 or better from the most recent 60 credits of coursework earned toward the bachelor's.

Are there any additional certifications that complement an MBA?

A: Graduates may choose to pursue an MBA certification, although this is not required for application of the MBA degree. Depending on their chosen concentration, students may prepare themselves to take certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) or The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Can I earn an MBA online?

A: Yes, Bellevue University and other schools offer online MBA’s. Bellevue offers two online MBA programs to fit into your busy schedule.

Are there scholarships available for MBA students?

A: Yes, Go to the Bellevue Scholarships application and search for all graduate student scholarships. You can also search for outside organizations that may also offer scholarships for MBA students and all graduate students.

Why Choose Bellevue University for Your MBA?

Choosing to pursue an MBA is a significant decision, but with flexible options like an online MBA, new career opportunities are within reach. Whether you aim to climb the corporate ladder, transition to a new industry, or start your own business, an MBA can open doors to new opportunities and long-term success.

Bellevue University is a leader in adult education, providing affordability, flexibility, and real-world application. Our Master of Business Administration program emphasizes essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, ensuring graduates are prepared to lead in any business environment.

Explore an MBA at Bellevue University

Bellevue’s MBA program teaches you how to build capital responsibly (intellectual, physical, human, and structural), meet markets, and craft value for your customers and businesses. Additionally, the program fosters responsible business practices, ensuring graduates not only succeed professionally but also contribute positively to their communities.

With the option to specialize through concentrations or in an accelerated cohort leadership curriculum, Bellevue’s MBA offers practical, hands-on learning that directly applies to the workplace.

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