A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most widely recognized graduate degrees in business, designed to develop core business knowledge and enhance leadership skills and strategic thinking. Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA programs take a deep dive into key business areas, including leadership, marketing, operations and finance. Students can also tailor their experience by specializing in an area they feel passionate about.
This article explores the most common types of MBAs and business master’s degree options, what makes each unique, and how to pick a program based on your personal and professional goals. Whether you want a general business education or a specialized experience, Southeastern has the options for you.
What Makes an MBA Unique?
An MBA offers a well-rounded, practical education for leadership-minded professionals, expanding their career options. Unlike specialized business master’s degree programs that typically focus on a single area, an MBA emphasizes cross-functional knowledge, giving graduates the tools to think strategically across all areas of an organization. The versatility leads to a wide range of career opportunities while helping professionals enhance their skills and build strong professional networks. These connections often play a key role in long-term career advancement.
Ideal MBA candidates possess a strong academic record, solid communication and leadership skills and a collaborative mindset. Most MBA programs also seek applicants with two to three years of work experience, demonstrating a real-world understanding and a commitment to career development. This flexible, fully online format enables motivated professionals to apply what they learn in real time, accelerating academic and professional growth.
Specialized MBA Programs
While a standard MBA program provides professionals with a strong, multi-faceted foundation of core business principles, some students wish to deepen their understanding and expertise through specialized MBA programs. These concentrations offer tailored educational experiences for professionals with specific career paths and goals already in mind. Southeastern’s specialized MBA programs include:
Accounting
The MBA with a Concentration in Accounting program develops essential business skills for careers in finance, taxation and accounting. Classes focus on business-minded auditing and forensic accounting.
Aerospace Logistics
Gain crucial skills and hands-on experience with an MBA with a Concentration in Aerospace Logistics. The curriculum for this specialized field includes courses in accounting, behavioral management, economics, finance, research, and data analysis in aerospace or aviation.
Data Analytics
An MBA with a Concentration in Data Analytics teaches students how to make high-impact business decisions based on data. It’s ideal for professionals in supply chain management, marketing, business intelligence and small business ownership.
Entrepreneurship
The MBA with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship builds a foundation in marketing, financing, budgeting and product development. It’s designed for professionals ready to start their own businesses.
Finance
An MBA with a Concentration in Finance expands finance acumen, opening doors to several high-level careers. These include roles such as chief financial officer, accountant, auditor, financial manager, advisor or analyst.
Healthcare Information Systems
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in health technology and administration are rapidly growing. Individuals can prepare with an MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Information Systems. Coursework includes accounting, behavioral management, economics, research and data analysis.
Human Resources
The MBA with a Concentration in Human Resources program equips students with the knowledge to manage and lead corporate human resource departments. Key skill areas include behavioral management and supervisory management.
Leadership
An MBA with a Concentration in Leadership prepares students for advanced roles in rapidly growing business environments. It also includes the option to join the Future Business Leaders of America –Collegiate during the program.
Management
The MBA with a Concentration in Management program focuses on competitive advantage, strategy, management information systems and applied business projects. This degree prepares professionals for leadership roles in logistics, project management and operations sectors.
Marketing
An MBA with a Concentration in Marketing teaches students integrated approaches to analyzing consumer behavior. It also teaches skills in social media marketing for various industries.
Native American Leadership
The MBA with a Concentration in Native American Leadership program examines leadership, tribal sovereignty and modern topics relevant to tribal communities. This degree can lead to careers in tribal organizations, including operations, finance, marketing and urban and regional planning.
Project Management
Growing at a rate of 7% from 2023 to 2033, project management is a rapidly evolving field focused on policies, procedures, relationships and time management. An MBA with a Concentration in Project Management prepares professionals for leadership in a range of industries.
Safety
As a graduate of the MBA with a Concentration in Safety program, you will be prepared to lead organizations in roles such as safety manager, occupational health and safety specialist, and safety engineer. Specialized coursework includes advanced safety program management, legal liability and workers’ compensation.
Strategic Communication
The MBA with a Concentration in Strategic Communication program provides a message-centered approach to business strategy. It is designed for professionals with career goals in public relations, campaign management and corporate communications.
Types of Business Master’s Degrees
While the MBA remains popular for its broad and versatile approach, and specialized MBAs provide focused coursework to prepare students for specific career paths, there are other types of business master’s degrees. Each is designed to target and strengthen distinct skills and expertise, competencies that are also developed in general and specialized MBA programs.
A Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree focuses on advanced accounting principles and practices. In a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program, students learn to use analytical tools and techniques for data mining, machine learning, statistical modeling and data visualization. A Master of Finance (MFin) focuses on advanced financial theory, analysis and practice. A Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) develops technical expertise and leadership skills necessary for managing IT systems and leading technology teams. A Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management equips professionals with the skills in decision-making, changing systems and mission-driven work needed to lead nonprofit organizations.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Organizational Management and Leadership is a principle-centered degree. Southeastern’s online M.A. in Organizational Management and Leadership program, for example, teaches graduate students to develop their personal leadership style. This prepares them to take on senior management roles with confidence.
What Makes a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Leadership Unique?
Southeastern’s M.A. in Organizational Management and Leadership online program is a specialized degree for professionals seeking to lead teams, shape workplace culture and drive organizational success. While traditional MBAs focus on broad business functions, this unique program dives into understanding the human side of business, including leadership, communication, strategic planning and organizational behavior. It offers professionals an opportunity to expand their leadership abilities, foster effective and empathetic team management, influence positive change within policy and procedure, and manage complex team dynamics.
Whether you work in business, education, healthcare, government or the nonprofit sector, this program prepares you to step confidently into higher-level roles. Southeastern’s online M.A. in Organizational Management and Leadership program features a curriculum with courses in crisis communication, leadership strategy development and ethical decision-making for immediate workplace application.
Candidates for this program value collaboration and teamwork, want to inspire others and are motivated to build purpose-driven, high-performing teams. With flexible scheduling and no need to pause your current career, Southeastern’s online M.A. in Organizational Management and Leadership program offers an accessible and adaptable path for students to advance their careers without interruption.
How to Choose the Right Program for You
Selecting the right MBA program requires careful personal consideration of your life and career goals. By reflecting on your current level of education and experience and determining what you’d like your future to look like, you can narrow down your options and identify the degree path that best aligns with your ambitions. Consider asking yourself the following questions:
What are you interested in pursuing?
Based on your accumulated professional experience, your favorite subjects from previous academic work and the type of work you tend to gravitate toward, you can narrow down the field. Do you like working with numbers, people or data? Are you interested in new technology, building policy or supporting teammates?
What are your short- and long-term career goals?
Take time to think about what you want for your immediate professional future and where you see yourself in the future. Are you in the same field five years from now? Are you heading up a department or special project in two years?
Do you already have business experience?
Review your resume and reflect on your work history. What themes pop up across roles and sectors? What projects, courses and workshops have you attended and enjoyed? Have you won any awards or received recognition in specialized fields? What areas do you hope to gain more experience in going forward?
What is your timeframe for leadership development?
Answering this question can help you narrow down the learning style, course pace and the amount of flexibility you need. Is there a promotion opening up in a year that you’d like to be considered for? Are you hoping to join a company that requires advanced degrees? When would you like to seek these opportunities?
Inside the Southeastern Online Experience
At Southeastern, master’s degree students gain more than just a degree; they receive career-centered education backed up by quality and flexibility. Southeastern proudly holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a recognition held by less than 6% of business schools worldwide. This accreditation ensures high academic standards and real-world relevance.
Courses are designed with working professionals in mind, blending practical application with cutting-edge technology to create a fully online, interactive learning environment. Students receive personalized support, including access to academic advisors, tech assistance and career resources. With it, MBA students can balance their education with everyday responsibilities while opening their future to exciting and lucrative opportunities.
Start Your Online MBA Journey
Choosing the right advanced degree program depends on your personal career goals and areas of interest. An MBA can open doors to leadership roles across a wide range of industries, while specialized programs and concentrations provide focused expertise.
Aligning your higher education with your short- and long-term aspirations will position you for success and professional growth, all on your own terms. Explore Southeastern’s online MBA degree offerings and start your journey to a future in advanced leadership today.