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8 Types of MBA Concentrations to Pursue in 2022

8 Types of MBA Concentrations to Pursue in 2022

Overall employment of leadership and management professionals is expected to increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030, resulting in the creation of nearly 906,800 new positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for leadership and management occupations was $109,760 in May 2020, which was the highest wage of all the major occupational groups. This growing need to fill high paying jobs is one of the reasons Ottawa University offers multiple concentrations for online students to specialize their degree.

Flexibile Learning Schedule

Ottawa University has strategically designed its Master in Business Administration program to be completed online, providing maximum flexibility for working adults. Furthermore, OU’s MBA program allows you to tailor your degree by selecting one of eight specialized concentrations. This fully online, 36-credit-hour MBA degree is ACBSP-accredited and provides you with high-quality professional advanced study in business. The MBA curriculum consists of eight required core courses and four courses in your chosen area of concentration. Courses incorporate personal values and professional ethics, while strengthening your foundational business knowledge and providing a deeper knowledge of your concentration.

Online MBA Concentrations

Ottawa’s eight MBA concentrations are among the best and most sought after based on future earning power, and long-term perspective on job prospects in Kansas City, Milwaukee, Phoenix and  Your choice of concentration will depend not only on your previous work experiences but also your career aspirations. Below are overviews of the MBA concentrations:

Accounting Concentration

Build a strong background and understanding of accounting principles, while developing the skills needed to provide efficient and profitable financial management. Students who enroll in an MBA program with an accounting concentration are exposed to coursework in accounting theory, compensation planning, and management using accounting concepts. Our graduates are working at management-level positions in a range of industries. Those with an MBA accounting concentration can also pursue CPA licensure if they choose. No matter where you want to go in the business world, or what industry you want to work in, accounting knowledge will always be useful as an essential business function.

Business Data Analytics Concentration

Competency in business data analytics is now a staple in every organization as a result of the dependence on data in decision-making, the growth of e-commerce and the increase in utilization of communication channels including social networks. This online MBA focuses on the business and management side of business data analytics. The skills acquired in this program will be more focused on the management of data and systems as opposed to the technical aspects, such as software development and quantitative analysis only.

Finance Concentration

Immerse yourself in different financial models and strategies. You will gain expertise in the management of capital and explore international finance. An MBA concentration in finance allows students to develop a balance between the technical finance courses needed to work in financial institutions and the overall management skills needed in all business situations prepares you for careers with investment firms, corporations, consulting, and more.

Human Resources Concentration

A component of all business, Human Resources has grown exponentially and will continue to be a rapidly expanding specialty across all industries, which creates demand for students who have completed a human resources management graduate degree. Earning an online MBA with a human resources concentration from OU will prepare students to drive strategic initiatives and develop organizational talent. The curriculum delves into the trends, issues and perspectives of the human resources field, as well as employment law, training and development, recruiting techniques and the strategies behind managing human resource costs.

Leadership Development Concentration

Ottawa University’s 100% online MBA with a Leadership Development concentration provides advanced leadership skills and the ability to think at an executive level. The curriculum consists of eight required core courses and four courses designed specifically to help you develop heightened leadership skills. You will discuss contemporary issues in business leadership and study how to create more value for a business through your leadership. Strong leadership and management skills will position you as a respected leader who inspires efficient and effective outcomes.

Population Health/Health Care Concentration

OU is proud to offer an online MBA concentration in Population Health Management (PHM), a rapidly emerging specialty area within health care management that is focused on improving the health status of defined populations. Numerous career opportunities exist for professionals trained in business, who are knowledgeable in the design, implementation and measurement of PHM programs and healthcare systems. Clinical background is not required for this concentration, but physicians, nurses and other clinical professionals would gain a marketable skill set by completing this degree. 

School Business Operations Concentration

The School Business Operations (SBO) MBA concentration focuses on the specialty area within management of K-12 school settings nationwide in support of all public school districts, as well as the growing charter and private school sectors. These organizations are subject to state and federal regulations and management specifications that require a specialized knowledge-base not currently included in either business or education majors. The combination MBA with select education courses will prepare business administration students with the specific skills necessary for employment in school business offices by providing an understanding of the education environment, laws, and regulations governing school administration/operations with advanced courses for all three education models.  This track will lead to school leadership positions, such as directors of business, purchasing, transportation, maintenance, foodservice, human resources and IT, as well as assistant superintendents and financial officers.

Strategic Innovation Concentration

Ottawa’s Strategic Innovation MBA concentration is designed to help you advance in your career to take on new responsibilities, put a stronger focus on strategic tasks, and learn to perform comprehensive strategic planning and analysis. This 36-credit-hour online MBA consists of eight required core courses and four courses designed specifically to help you build the skills you need to formulate and implement an organization’s key strategies. Graduates will have what it takes to become a strategic leader in the business world by studying strategic management and innovation. Coursework covers methods for stimulating creativity and innovation, why context matters, and processes for making effective decisions with a focus on sustainable competitive advantage.

Online MBA Program

Ottawa University’s competitive, highly-accredited online MBA program with concentrations prepares you for a wide variety of upper-level management careers. The program holds the esteemed accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), showing the high levels of business teaching within this degree. U.S. News & World Report ranks this online MBA among the top in the nation. The curriculum is divided into three modules: behavioral courses, core courses, and capstone courses.

Career advancement awaits when you complete one of the eight concentrations available with Kansas City’s best, fastest and most affordable online Master of Business Administration degree. Are you ready for it? Find out more about earning your online MBA at Ottawa University today.

See Also:

Beginning Your Career in Leadership

8 Essential Leadership Skills for Career Advancement

What is an MBA?

Posted: 09/16/2020
Updated: 01/06/2022 by OU Online
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