Choosing the right Master of Business Administration (MBA) program involves weighing a number of factors. How affordable is it? Will an MBA from one school yield a better return on investment than an MBA from another school? Does the program accommodate student needs such as balancing career and personal obligations with academic studies?
As important as those matters are, an MBA program is only as strong and useful as its curriculum. When researching options, you should also ask yourself whether the school offers degree specializations and, if so, which ones. Will you acquire the skills you’ll need to advance in your chosen industry?
If your professional aspirations include pursuing leadership positions and developing transferable skills that apply across business roles and functions, an MBA with a management emphasis may be an ideal fit for you. Programs like Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA in Management program combine core business competencies with specialized leadership training, preparing graduates to excel in management and executive roles across a wide range of industries.
Candidates With Specialized Expertise Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market
Choosing an MBA concentration helps graduates distinguish themselves in today’s job market. Common MBA concentrations include accounting, finance and marketing. However, MBA programs such as Southeastern’s also allow you to specialize in management.
But beyond the personal rewards that come from pursuing your interests and aptitudes, why choose a concentration at all? And why consider an MBA focused on management?
According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business was the most popular concentration for graduate study in the 2021-2022 academic year, with over 200,000 degrees conferred. In fact, business has been the most popular area of graduate study for over a decade.
As a result, the job market is saturated with professionals with graduate degrees in business. Adding an emphasis, such as management, can give you a competitive edge when marketing yourself after graduation.
Employers Seek Candidates With Leadership Potential
For businesses to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment, they must be well-managed. Growth is often the result of well-devised strategy. Sustaining business growth takes motivated leaders who can design effective strategies and stick to them even during periods of disruption. However, leaders must also possess the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed to adapt and pivot as needed. These are among the essential skills you will hone in a specialized MBA in management program.
Employers hire not only to fill a present need but also with future challenges in mind. Earning an MBA with an emphasis in management gives you the opportunity to develop the “hard” and “soft” skills required to successfully lead organizations, from exercising fiscal responsibility to crafting compelling communications. These business management skills prepare MBA graduates to lead teams, drive organizational change and make strategic decisions that ensure long-term business success.
Hone Your Decision-making Skills
Business leaders face many demands on their time. They must make decisions and allocate resources efficiently while evaluating and adjusting operations constantly. They must also address employee underperformance and create solutions that benefit the business while maintaining staff morale. Even deciding how to prioritize a day at the office can be demanding.
MBA leadership development focuses on building the strategic thinking, decision-making and analytical capabilities needed to be an effective manager. Southeastern’s online MBA in Management program equips you with the tools needed to take swift, decisive action. You’ll learn how to gather and analyze information, make data-driven decisions and manage the consequences of your decisions, as well as those of your colleagues and supervisors.
Prepare to Lead in the Modern Workplace: Skills Employers Want
Today’s employers seek leaders who have the ability to create, support and guide high-functioning teams. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey, communication, teamwork, leadership, emotional intelligence and adaptability rank among the most important skills for graduates of management education programs.
The online MBA in Management program from Southeastern prepares you to navigate complex organizational challenges and lead cross-functional teams effectively. Equipped with an in-depth understanding of human behavior, business ethics and strategic management, you will be prepared to build positive workplace cultures that drive collaboration, productivity and innovation — skills that are highly valued by the modern employer.
An MBA in Management Can Be the Key to a More Fulfilling, Rewarding and Lucrative Career
MBA career options for management graduates span diverse industries and organizational levels. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in management occupations will grow steadily, with roughly 1.1 million job openings projected each year through 2034.
In addition to offering professionals a wealth of opportunities, management positions come with substantial compensation. BLS reports that the median annual wage for professionals in management occupations exceeded $122,000 in 2024. Comparatively, the median annual wage for all occupations in 2024 was $49,500.
Building a Rewarding Career With MBA Leadership Development
Business managers may have more responsibilities and face more stress than non-managers. However, with the right education, they can secure rewarding careers that offer both strong earning potential and an opportunity to make an impact within organizations.
Southeastern’s online MBA in Management program offers professionals an affordable pathway to developing valuable leadership competencies. The program’s flexible online format enables students to balance studies with personal commitments as they prepare for myriad opportunities to advance their careers.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA in Management program.