Typical MBA courses that applicants should know about

An MBA is a powerful tool. This graduate-level business degree can accelerate your career or help you pivot into a higher-level role. Many companies either require or prefer candidates with an MBA for senior management positions. For those hoping to take on leadership or executive roles in today’s business world, an MBA is a must.

Despite the increasing importance of this graduate-level business degree, many professionals may be unfamiliar with the types of courses an MBA program typically includes. As a prospective MBA student, you need to understand how your core classes will set you up for success in your future career.

As an MBA is essentially a generalist degree, you can expect to take classes focused on a range of core business concepts and skills. Read on to learn more about the typical course curriculum for an MBA program.

Core MBA courses

The following classes make up the standard core course curriculum for an MBA program. Regardless of which program you choose or where you intend to take your career, you can expect to take at least one class in each of the following disciplines:

• Finance: Understanding financial management, budgeting, and investment strategies
• Marketing: Learning market analysis, branding, and consumer behavior
• Accounting: Mastering financial reporting and cost analysis
• Economics: Exploring microeconomics, macroeconomics, and global markets
• Operations management: Streamlining processes and improving efficiency

As you rise higher in an organization, having a cross-functional understanding of different dimensions of business becomes increasingly important. For example, even if you plan on spending the rest of your career in accounting, having a solid understanding of operations management can help you coordinate between teams and make high-level decisions.

Leadership and management courses

Historically, an MBA has functioned as a formal preparation for would-be managers. Businesses prize MBA graduates for their keen leadership skills and highly polished decision-making abilities. As an MBA student, you can expect to take classes that will help you enhance your team’s productivity.

Other coursework will help you build your knowledge of important industry-agnostic concepts, such as corporate ethics and responsibility. You’ll also hone your business acumen by learning how to effectively weigh costs and benefits when making strategic management decisions.

Specialized MBA courses

Many courses in an MBA program are tailor-made to match specific career aspirations. As the captain of your own career, it’s important to pick the MBA classes that best align with your future interests. For example, if you want to start a business right out of school, it’s a good idea to consider an entrepreneurship elective.

Specialized courses can also help you shore up your weak areas. For example, those who have limited international experience may benefit from a class in cross-cultural management, while candidates without a strong quantitative background should consider a course in data analytics.

The following are some popular specialized course topics you may encounter in your MBA journey:

• Digital and social media marketing: Exploring cutting-edge online marketing strategies essential for success in the digital age
• Managing internationally: Developing fundamental skills for cross-cultural management
• Corporate finance: Understanding how large organizations manage their revenue

Soft skills and networking development

Although they may not show up explicitly in the curriculum for your MBA, one of the most important benefits of this degree is the soft skills you’ll develop during your time in the program. Prior research has indicated that managers spend 50% to 80% of their day communicating with others.¹ An MBA will give you ample opportunity to hone these skills through coursework and interactions with peers.

An MBA will also give you the opportunity to build out your professional network. Although the benefits may not be readily apparent, the friendships and connections you make through an MBA program will pay dividends when you’re angling for a new job or promotion later in life.

Finally, it’s also important to highlight that your MBA program will teach you the subtle art of negotiation. Many high-level business roles demand strong negotiation skills. Whether you’re an operations manager haggling over a seven-figure contract or a director of sales negotiating your company’s next customer relationship management (CRM) contract, deal-making prowess is a universal must-have.

Negotiation skills are also critical for your personal career outcomes. Your earning potential, for example, can be critically impacted by your salary negotiation efforts when taking on a new role.²

Electives and customization options

Many MBA programs let students take electives or cross-listed courses offered by other schools within the university system. This hugely beneficial opportunity for interdisciplinary learning means that you can match the courses you take with your specific career goals and professional interests.

An MBA student hoping to build a career in healthcare management may opt for classes through the university’s public health department, while someone hoping to snag a lucrative product manager role at Amazon might beef up their coding skills by taking a cross-listed class through the computer science department.

Customizing your degree is an important step toward building the future career you want. To that end, it’s important to research the departments that interest you the most when selecting your MBA program. A university may have a stellar MBA program, but if it doesn’t offer the electives or cross-listed coursework you are looking for, you may want to consider other options.

Grow your career with a well-rounded MBA curriculum

Regardless of where you intend to take your business career, building a strong understanding of finance, marketing, accounting, economics, and operations is essential. These subjects influence the decisions and behaviors of high-level business leaders across virtually every industry. The online MBA program at the University of Kansas offers a comprehensive curriculum that will help you develop the subject matter knowledge and skills you need to excel in today’s business world. You’ll also have the opportunity to form meaningful professional connections with peers and alumni through the extensive Jayhawk network. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, review our admissions requirements and connect with an admissions outreach advisor today.