The Master's of Business Administration degree dates back in 1908, when Harvard University's Graduate School of Administration launched the first MBA. Over the past hundred years, this degree has evolved into a broad and dynamic program. Through this evolution, it has grown to encompass numerous concentrations, specializations, majors, and certificates covering specialized topics in business on top of the foundational business and management curriculum. Because of this, the MBA is relevant to businesses across all sector lines, and has thus become the most recognized business credential for professionals across the globe.
MBA specializations focus on a particular business sector or job specialty, and give students more focused guidance and hands-on experience for their future careers. Students can pursue MBA degrees in Economics, Marketing, Business Analytics, HR, IT, Supply Chain Management, and the list goes on and on. Online MBA Today explores different online MBA degree options, in order to give prospective students information on the multitude of fields and degrees available.
Let's explore the important field of Finance.
Finance
Finance, in a nutshell, is the study of money and financial systems. Finance includes systems in the corporate sector, public sector, as well as personal finances. While the study of finances leans heavily on mathematical systems, statistics, and economics, there is a significant sociological and even emotional side to the way financial systems act in reality. Finance covers topics in taxes, debt, budgets, governmental systems, revenue, insurance, real estate, retirement, and the stock market.
Finance plays a very significant part in businesses. Businesses in general rely heavily on financial markets. Businesses need to have an understanding on consumer trends, how to manage their stocks for their stockholders, as well as how to manage their own investments, spending, savings, projections, and budgets. Many businesses are also in the business of handling financial services for others, whether they be in public or private sectors. Jobs in the area of Finance cover a wide range of topics and can be very lucrative. These jobs include: CFOs, Financial Advisors, Commercial Bankers, Hedge Fund Managers, Private Equity Analysts, Investment Banking Analyst, and Venture Capitalists. Professionals proficient in finance can also find exciting jobs in the areas of: Real Estate, Risk Management, Sales, Strategy, and Insurance. US News and World Report ranked that Financial Advisor was the #3 best business job for 2017, with a median salary of $89,160.
Online MBA in Finance
Finance is a very lucrative sector in business, a foundational pillar in any business, and the backbone of our society. Organizations are looking for skilled and knowledgeable professionals who can navigate the most up-to-date financial tools, as well as understand the marketplace and the general consumer and investor. An MBA in Finance is able to offer students foundational knowledge in business, management, and finance, as well as give them the opportunity to use analytical tools and give experiences in real financial scenarios. This knowledge and experience is also given in a flexible format in an online or hybrid program, in order for professionals to be able to continue to obtain professional experience while completing their degree. Whether students are pursuing a career in staff management and needs more insight on production and economic tendencies, a private equity analyst needing the foundational information on accounting and managing portfolios for clients, or a hedge fund manager looking for more experience with the tools need to make solid investment strategies, well-rounded online Finance MBA degrees feature core courses and finance-specific concentration courses which will hone skills in a variety of ways within the world of finance. Courses within an Online MBA in Finance can include topics in: International Finance, Personal Finance, Real Estate Investment, Corporate Financial Policy, Investment Analysis, Risk Management, Entrepreneurial Finance, Business Conditions and Forecasting, Capital Markets, Financial Services and Institutions, Financing and Valuing Sustainability, and Financial Trading Strategies.
Based on our latest ranking of the top online MBA programs in Finance, here are the top five programs in the country:
- University of Florida's Warrington College of Business – Gainesville, Florida
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst's Isenberg School of Management – Amherst, Massachusetts
- Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business – Boston, Massachusetts
- North Carolina State University's Poole College of Management – Raleigh, North Carolina
- Lehigh University's College of Business and Economics – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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What are the top podcasts for Finance MBA students?
Other MBA Specialty Reviews:
Guide to Online MBAs in Information & Technology
Guide to Executive MBA degrees
Guide to Supply Chain Management MBAs
Guide to Online MBAs in Business Analytics
Guide to Online MBAs in Healthcare Management
Guide to Online MBAs in Marketing
