The MBA
The Master of Business Administration, known to most as the MBA, prepares students for life at the top of the corporate ladder. They can be expensive, competitive and a lot of work, but many graduates wear the title with pride.
The postgraduate management education market ranges from online graduate certificates to full-time two year masters with intensive retreats and study trips. Programs are offered through all types of tertiary education institutions, and entry requirements vary considerably.
In addition to the standard MBA, there are now dozens of specialised programs that tailor management education to the needs of specific industries and target groups such as engineers,
IT workers or entrepreneurs. For graduates who want to continue their studies, many institutions have recently introduced a doctorate of business administration (DBA).
Browse the following articles or pick up a copy of The Good Universities Guide to MBA and Management Programs to learn more.
What is an MBA?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) formula was established in the US early in the twentieth century and survived largely unchanged well into the 1950s — two years of full-time study aimed at giving new graduates basic preparation for life in the corporate world … Read more about MBA programs.
Are MBA qualifications worth the trouble and expense?
An MBA offers skills not ordinarily mastered on the job, such as financial, statistical, and managerial economics. It will show how different functions operate and are related, how companies in different industries compete, and how they manage in different environments … Read more about what an MBA qualification will give you.
Who offers what in management education?
Universities dominate the top end of the market and claim most of the MBAs that are available. Almost all MBAs can be reached via graduate certificate or diploma pathways, requiring six or 12 months' full-time study, respectively. A few lead into Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) programs ... Read more about the different options in management education.
What qualifications will I need to get into a management education course?
Most management courses require applicants to have a mix of solid work experience and a good academic track record. However, some will be more flexible than others … Read more about what qualifications you need to pursue an MBA.
Alternatives and additions to the MBA
The MBA has spawned or influenced the development of other programs, many of which were devised because of a perceived gap in the management education market. In addition, with the number of MBA graduates growing exponentially over the years, the demand for even more advanced management qualifications has grown … Read more about related management programs.
