A general Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program provides a comprehensive, broad-scope education across various business functions. A specialized MBA program offers additional in-depth knowledge and skill development in a specific field, such as marketing, finance or healthcare. Both prepare graduates to take on leadership roles, instilling core business knowledge and leadership development.
Aligning your degree choice with your career goals ensures you develop the relevant skills to make you a strong candidate for leadership in your chosen field. It also creates a more enjoyable educational experience and helps build a fulfilling, successful professional life. The online Master of Business Administration program from Northern Kentucky University offers a general degree alongside fourteen specialized tracks, making it easy to find the pathway that leads to your career goals.
When choosing an MBA program, prospective students should consider their career goals, budget and learning style first. Other factors to consider include curriculum and specializations, potential return on investment (ROI), school reputation and faculty. This guide explores the distinctions between a general MBA and a specialized track, and introduces NKU’s online MBA program and specialization options to help you determine your next step towards growth and leadership.
What Is a General MBA?
A general MBA program provides a broad-based business education that develops knowledge across all core disciplines of business management, such as finance, marketing and operations. The emphasis in the best MBA programs is typically on leadership, communication and management strategy, preparing students to lead teams and departments across sectors. A general MBA is suitable for professionals seeking flexibility across industries and can lead to careers in management consultation, project management or general business analysis.
By offering a comprehensive curriculum, a general MBA program helps students to see the big picture at any organization. This broad education in core disciplines, combined with key soft skills, such as leadership skills and strategic thinking, allows students to analyze complex problems, make data-driven decisions and work effectively in teams. Graduates with a general MBA are prepared for versatile leadership roles across different industries.
What Is a Specialized MBA?
A specialized MBA program focuses on a specific business area, such as human resources or healthcare management, and is ideal for students with clear professional goals. The curriculum is tailored to a particular industry, providing in-depth expertise and advanced skills, all while continuing to build cross-functional leadership capabilities. This approach helps graduates excel in niche roles within the sector of their choice, for example, investment banking or an industry-specific management role.
Many specialized MBA programs are made up of targeted electives or concentrations, allowing students to dive deeper into their passions and become well-rounded experts in their field. NKU’s MBA program has many specialized stacks to choose from, including leadership, data analytics, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, AI and more. By combining the foundational skills offered with a general MBA with the hyper-specific education of a specialization, graduates leave feeling prepared to make a meaningful impact in their chosen field.
Comparing General MBA vs. Specialized MBA
The choice between a general MBA and a specialized MBA depends on career goals. A specialized MBA is ideal for professionals seeking to advance in a niche industry, while a general MBA is better for those seeking flexibility and a wider range of career options. Here’s a closer look at the differences:
General MBA
- Focus: Broad overview of core business topics, including accounting, finance, negotiation and innovation strategy competencies.
- Advantages: Offers career flexibility and the ability to pivot between industries. Develops versatile leadership and decision-making skills across sectors.
- Considerations: Lacks in-depth expertise required for specialized roles. Those with general MBAs may encounter higher competition in the job market.
Specialized MBA
- Focus: In-depth study of a particular area, such as finance, healthcare, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity.
- Advantages: Develops deeper technical or industry-specific knowledge within a field. Provides a competitive edge for individuals with a clear career path in a particular sector.
- Considerations: May limit career options to that specific field. Those with specialized MBAs may face the risk of market shifts that make the specialized knowledge less sought after.
As with any big decision, it’s crucial to know what your long-term goals are. Consider asking yourself the following questions to help determine if a general or specialized MBA is right for you:
- What are my long-term career plans and preferred job markets?
- Do I want broad management knowledge or a specialized expertise?
- Am I aiming for a career change or an advancement in my current field?
- What is my previous work experience?
- What types of skills am I most interested in building?
MBA vs. Other Graduate Business Degrees
Beyond an MBA, other graduate business degrees include specialized master’s programs like Master of Finance (MSF), Master of Business Analytics (MSBA) and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). Below are some of the most common graduate business degrees and how they compare to an MBA.
Master’s in Management (MM)
- Overview: Designed for early-career professionals, recent college graduates or professionals with less than five years of experience. Aims to build foundational management skills.
- Focus: Focuses on foundational management skills, theoretical frameworks and specialized areas of business for early-stage professionals.
- MBA comparison: An MM helps young professionals gain essential skills to transition into entry-level management roles, while an MBA equips experienced professionals with critical thinking and strategic skills for higher-level leadership and organizational management.
Master’s in Finance (MF)
- Overview: Focused on quantitative analysis and investment management. Many programs may not require previous work experience, making it ideal for younger professionals.
- Focus: Highly specialized financial theory, quantitative analytics, investments, financial modeling and valuation.
- MBA comparison: An MF is ideal for graduates who want to specialize in investment-focused or analytical financial careers, have strong quantitative aptitude and are looking for a faster-paced entry into finance. An MBA allows for a broader understanding of executive leadership roles.
Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA)
- Overview: An MHA is a specialized degree for leadership roles within healthcare. Ideal for dedicated healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers in the field.
- Focus: Specialized healthcare industry skills, including knowledge of administrative needs in hospitals, clinics and insurance companies.
- MBA comparison: An MHA may be the right choice if your primary goal is to lead in the healthcare industry and learn its unique challenges and regulations. An MBA will provide flexibility to work in healthcare or another industry.
Master’s in Public Administration (MPA)
- Overview: Designed for students interested in public service, governance, public administration and nonprofit management.
- Focus: Focuses on public policy, public finance, grant writing, urban planning and ethics. Graduates become strong community leaders.
- MBA comparison: An MPA is ideal if your goal is to lead in government or a nonprofit organization, or if you’re passionate about public service and improving communities. An MBA is most often associated with the private sector.
Master of Science (MS)
- Overview: Provides specialized, in-depth knowledge in finance or data science, leading to increased business breadth and technical knowledge depth.
- Focus: Specialized knowledge in a specific subject area, such as a particular field of engineering or a singular business function like finance.
- MBA comparison: An MS is ideal for recent graduates wanting to gain deep, specialized expertise in a field like quantitative finance, data analytics or technology. An MBA provides experienced professionals with an interdisciplinary understanding to advance leadership and oversight.
Executive MBA vs. MBA
An Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is for experienced leaders advancing to senior-level positions, including the C-suite. Candidates for an EMBA program typically have 15 or more years of experience before entering the graduate program. The main differences between an MBA and EMBA lie in their target students, with MBAs geared towards career changers or early career growth, while EMBA programs typically offer accelerated course schedules for working executives.
Just as a traditional MBA program suits professionals looking to move from entry-level positions into management roles by growing their leadership abilities and developing their long-term career, an EMBA is ideal for seasoned career professionals with a desire to advance into executive-level positions. Both degrees emphasize leadership and strategic thinking, with the EMBA drawing on existing foundational knowledge and hands-on experience.
Career Outcomes and Salary Potential
General MBA graduates qualify for roles across multiple industries, allowing them to cast a wide net in both career outcomes and potential earnings. A specialized MBA often leads graduates to move into targeted leadership positions and higher salaries sooner. Ultimately, career growth depends on experiences and your chosen specialization, with salaries affected by degree type and industry demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states an annual median wage of $122,090 for management occupations, significantly higher than the median annual wage of all occupations of $49,500. Some of the most common careers for MBA graduates include:
- Financial manager
- Overview: Creates financial reports, directs investment activities and develops plans for the long-term financial goals of an organization.
- Median salary: $161,700
- Human resource manager
- Overview: Plans, coordinates and directs the administrative functions of an organization.
- Median salary: $140,030
- Medical and health services manager
- Overview: Plans, directs and coordinates the business activities of healthcare providers.
- Median salary: $117,960
- Social and community service manager
- Overview: Coordinates and supervises programs and organizations that support public well-being.
- Median salary: $78,240
- Top executive
- Overview: Creates strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.
- Median salary: $105,350
Why Choose NKU for Your Online MBA?
NKU’s online MBA program, part of the AACSB-accredited Haile College of Business, offers flexibility and affordability to professionals ready to advance their careers. The fully online program is for working professionals, with five-week courses and multiple start dates throughout the year.
With a strong general MBA curriculum featuring applied learning and a focus on leadership innovation and real-world business strategy, students receive the benefits of a respected, high-value degree in an accessible way that fits their lives. The rigorous curriculum means your degree is backed by credibility and quality, leading to untapped career potential after graduation.
Start Your MBA Journey Today
Whether you choose a general MBA or a specialized MBA, NKU’s online program is ready to provide you with a strong foundation that leads to expanded career opportunities and untapped benefits. The flexible, affordable programs meet students where they are and elevate them into leadership within their chosen industry.
Learn more about NKU’s MBA program and how it can advance your professional goals. Apply today to start your journey towards leadership and management.
