Thursday, November 27, 2008

What is an MBA?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally-recognized degree designed to prepare students and further develop the skills required for careers in business and management. The value of the MBA, however, is not limited strictly to the 'business' world. An MBA can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, private industry, and other areas. MBA programs can provide graduates with the preparation and practical skills needed to excel in management and leadership positions.

The MBA is currently the most popular professional degree program in the world. Today there are over 2,500 MBA programs offered worldwide. MBA was first introduced at American universities around the turn of the 20th century. While traditional two-year MBA programs are still common but now one-year programs is becoming more popular. Part-time and distance-learning programs are also widely available. Most MBA programs are taught in English, and are therefore attractive to international students wishing to study abroad.

Along with the widespread demand for MBAs and the increased universality of global business and managerial standards, the contents of MBA program have also become internationalized. Students wishing to enroll in an MBA program must now take into account factors such as the location and duration of a program, and the areas of specialization offered by an institution. There is no one uniform MBA curriculum, but rather a vast range of different kinds of programs to choose from.