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The number of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs available can leave your head spinning — and that’s understandable. With so many options, how can you know which is the best for you and your future?

If you’re hoping your degree will help you advance your business career, you’ll want to search for a graduate school that combines theory and practical experience, offering you the business acumen and know-how needed to stand out among your colleagues and other job candidates.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects new jobs annually through 2034 in the business and financial operations field.*

The best MBA programs will cover the intersection of all business functions to prepare you for these types of roles. They'll also offer specialized concentrations, so you'll have the option to dive deeper into an aspect of business that interests you.

What Do They Actually Teach in MBA Programs?

Curricula can vary by college, but generally, an MBA program should impart knowledge and develop skills that can lead to success in business.

"An MBA is still the 'gold standard' when it comes to advanced business degrees," said Doug Blais, PhD, director of campus graduate programs at Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ (SNHU), who has been a business educator for 30 years.

He noted that MBA programs teach ethical, data-driven decision-making skills.

"Most importantly, an MBA teaches students how to think strategically," Blais said.

In the past, MBA programs have taken a siloed approach to teach business, requiring courses that focused on each central area of business, such as:

• Accounting
• Business Operations
• Human Resources
• Marketing

Now, some institutions are taking a synthesized approach in which courses cover each business function but focus on how they work together and contribute to the greater picture. SNHU’s MBA was designed with this in mind.

Some of the other courses you might encounter in an MBA program focus on strategy, innovation, measurement and optimization. For example, one of the core courses at SNHU is “Leading Organizational Change,” which explores how to lead a workforce that meets business goals and navigates and communicates strategic changes.

Another course, “Organizational Strategy in a Global Environment,” examines how strategies are developed and implemented with every business function in mind.

Read more: What is an MBA Degree?

Putting Business Theory Into Practice

The best MBA programs are designed to do more than give you information; they should also allow you to test the ideas you're learning and build on your skills. Scenario-based learning (SBL) is one such approach to teaching that places you in the role of a business professional and draws on real-world problems you might encounter in the workplace.

An MBA that delivers the curriculum using scenario-based learning allows you to experience business situations in a safe learning environment, according to Dr. Jessica Rogers, an adjunct business instructor at SNHU.

“SBL begins with a scenario example that allows learners to practice content aligned to course outcomes in a real-world scenario of a likely business problem,” Rogers said. Each scenario should give you any tools you might need, use industry terms and have multiple solutions that can be achieved.

If you enroll in an MBA program that focuses on experiential learning, you may learn to use data to make decisions, develop and improve organizational strategies and processes, increase your global and cultural awareness and create plans that adhere to standards through practice.

Developing Leadership Skills

MBA programs often focus on leadership development, preparing you for managerial roles. In fact, the MBA is cited as a desirable degree for like CEOs, according to BLS.

"An MBA teaches students various leadership skills, which include 'soft skills' or 'essential skills,'" Blais said. "A strong leader builds trust and provides psychological safety."

SNHU's "Building Business Leaders" MBA course details a company's new strategic focus and asks you to explore how it’ll impact marketing and sales and how you can measure the impact. In addition, you may receive documents such as the strategic plan, the company’s commitment and vision, and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analyses.

Some leadership and management skills you could develop through scenario-based assignments, such as this one, include:

• Business analytics
• Coaching
• Project management
• Emotional intelligence
• Strategic planning and informed decision-making

If you'd like to focus even more closely on developing your credentials as a manager, SNHU offers an MBA with a concentration in Leadership that you might consider.

But regardless of the concentration you choose or whether you choose one at all, you'll have opportunities to build leadership skills through your MBA coursework.

That's one of the main reasons that Kevin Bucardo '25MBA decided to earn an MBA from SNHU.

"I wanted to understand how I can lead people better," he said. "How can I have better conversations with them?" Beyond the business knowledge he gained, he said he especially valued the leadership skills he developed in his MBA program.

More Types of MBA Specializations

You may also have an opportunity to select a concentration of interest and use your business electives to study a particular subject at greater length.

For instance, at SNHU, you can choose from more than 15 types of online MBA concentrations, including:

• MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics
• MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship
• MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management
• MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management

SNHU's has unique concentration offerings as well, such as the MBA with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence for Business Innovation and Strategy.

Choosing a program with various specialty options offers you greater control over your education, allowing you to pursue an MBA that interests you and will benefit your career the most. If you don’t know what you want to specialize in yet, that’s fine. Some programs don’t require you to decide right away; you can first take some core business courses.

Keep reading: Types of MBA: A List of Top Concentrations

Earning Credentials Along the Way

Depending on the MBA program that you choose, you may also have an opportunity to earn certificates or badges that represent proficiency in related skills.

Some MBA concentrations prepare students for industry certifications, too. For instance, SNHU's MBA with a concentration in Project Management can help prepare you to take the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification exam.**

Two-time SNHU graduate Jim Hurst '23 '24MBA said the MBA with a concentration in Finance prepared him for several certification exams within his industry, too.

"I actually also passed my Series 65 exam, my SIE (Security Industry Essentials) exam, and I’m currently about to sit for my Series 7 top-off exam from what I learned here at (SNHU)," Hurst said, noting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that would qualify him to perform specific roles like investment advising.

How to Choose an MBA Program

One must is accreditation. If you want to receive an MBA that’s industry-respected, make sure you complete a program from an accredited college or university. SNHU, for example, is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and its MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

After that, choosing a program comes down to you and what you want from the courses and beyond graduation. You’ll want to look inward at your goals, interests and responsibilities and find an MBA that fits your life.

In your hunt for the best MBA program this year, some questions you may ask yourself are:

• Do I want to attend courses on a college campus or online? If you prefer to learn in person, you could search for an MBA with courses that meet in a classroom. Or, if you’re balancing other responsibilities — such as a full-time job or family — learning from your laptop could be a more practical option.
• Will scheduled course times work for me, or would I benefit from an asynchronous schedule? If you don't want to commit to attending courses at a set time each week, an asynchronous education could offer the flexibility you need. Asynchronous courses may have weekly deadlines that can be completed whenever it makes sense to you.
• How fast do I want to get my MBA? Like many other graduate degrees, traditional MBA programs can take two years. If you’re trying to reach your professional goals sooner, some MBAs may only take one year, such as the online program at SNHU.

Your answers to these questions will help you narrow your MBA search and identify the top programs that fit your lifestyle. From there, you'll also want to research the programs, including the courses offered and what support you might find.

In addition to scenario-based learning environments, some programs, such as those at SNHU, may offer webinars or tutoring to help students better understand the material and build upon these skills. These sessions are optional to take, but you may find them beneficial, just as Dominguez did.

"The (resources) helped me learn more about the programs we were using for class," she said. That includes help with technical programs such as Tableau.

Dominguez recommends students use resources when they need some extra training or explanations. For her, the opportunity to ask questions for clarification was beneficial, especially since it was her first time using Tableau.

What Are Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ MBA Programs Like?

With an online program, you could earn your degree while working and balancing other responsibilities.

“SNHU gave me the flexibility, and it was also very dynamic,” Hurst said. “I could fit it into my schedule.”

Some online MBA programs offer experiential learning, allowing you to grow as a business professional through practice. And since the online environment tends to appeal to the busy working student, your course discussions are likely to feature businesspeople with various experiences and backgrounds that you can learn from and network with as well.

Professional networking is valuable to learning, career growth and mentorship. Between your interactions with peers and communication with faculty and your alumni network, you’ll have a chance to meet people from all over the country and in varying industries.

When searching for an online MBA program, don’t be afraid to speak with an admission counselor. They can tell you how online courses work and answer specific questions you might have about the MBA program, learning outcomes and resources available to students.

Read more: How Do Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ Courses Work? What to Know Before You Start

Is an MBA Really Worth It?

The answer depends on your reason for pursuing the degree and your personal and professional goals. There are many good reasons for getting an MBA, including personal fulfillment, business specialization and increased salary potential.

If you hope to impact an organization and are willing to put in the time and attention needed to earn an advanced degree, pursuing an MBA may just be worth it. The journey may be challenging at times, but the best programs will have resources to ensure you have the support and tools you need to succeed.

Did you know you don’t even need to take a standardized test to get into some MBA programs? SNHU, for example, recognizes that graduate exams such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) create barriers to higher education. You can get your MBA without GMAT requirements, allowing you to skip the exam and get started on your degree sooner.

"I believe an MBA is not just a degree, it’s an investment in someone’s future," Blais said.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

**The Project Management Professional (PMP)^® is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc. The PMI^® Authorized Training Partner seal is a mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on .