Masters in Business Administration

For those getting a Masters in Business Administration, classes often deal with advanced subjects such as economics, accounting, and management, and business. Most students can complete work towards this degree within two years. Most of these programs offer many options for students to take classes. Students learn to work in groups and often complete class work within these groups. Projects focus on real world business challenges and provide options for students to come up with solid solutions. Most students end up taking the skills they learned in class and applying them into their real-world job situations.

Business Administration Master's Programs were one of the first options of online learning made available. Those that want to enter management or want to advance while they are already in management often do not have time to attend a traditional classroom. Getting a degree online provides them with educational and professional opportunities from the comfort of their own home. They can take classes from anywhere they are. For those that travel for business, this gives them the opportunity to get their degree on the road or at home. This is a great way to move up the corporate ladder without stepping off of it for a couple of years.

For many getting an MBA can open up doors to management in many industries. Potential students often come from many different places in the business world. Some have worked on the administrative side for years. Others have a technical background however. Those just getting out of school can expect to get jobs starting somewhere in the $50,000-$60,000 range. Prospects for salary growth depend on what positions degree graduates attained after graduating. Financial analysts can make up to $60,000 per year while chief financial officers can make well over a quarter million dollars each year.

Additional Business Administration Graduate Schools

University of Virginia has the fourteenth ranked School of Business in the country, as befits one of the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. The Darden School of Business has a MBA program, an Executive MBA program for mid-career professionals with seven to ten years of business experience, and an Executive Global MBA that involves six two week residencies in Washington DC and locations in Europe, China, India, and Brazil.
University of Florida has several MBA options, beginning with the traditional two year, on-campus full time program. In addition there are two options for an accelerated one year program, an Executive MBA degree, and an online MBA program that is fully accredited. The Hough School of Business also has several specialized degrees including a Masters in International Business and a Master of Management.
Duke University has a variety of MBA options that includes the traditional full time MBA, a Weekend Executive MBA, a Global Executive MBA, and a Cross Continent MBA which is a sixteen month program that includes study at Duke facilities in London, Dubai, New Delhi, St. Petersburg, Shanghai, and the home campus in Durham, NC.

Professional Business Associations

National Association for Business Economics is an organization that mixes academic experts with business professionals who use economics in the workplace. The organization sponsors research and roundtables in several categories including Corporate Planning, Finance, Health Economics, Industry/Manufacturing, Real Estate/Construction, Technology, Entrepreneurs/Small Business, and International Business.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce is an extremely active and extremely powerful business lobby in Washington DC. The organization has led the fight for rollback of business regulation at the federal level, spending heavily on political candidates and campaigns that the Chamber leadership believe will further their interests. There is no more effective political organization for corporate and to a lesser degree, small business interests in the country.
International Council for Small Business was founded in 1957 and has been the catalyst for the development of other small business and entrepreneurial associations during its history. The organization has eleven nation or region based affiliates and members from over 70 countries. Professionals among the members fall into four categories: educators, business practitioners, government policy makers, and researchers and consultants.
National Business Association was founded in 1981 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to small business owners by coordinating with the Small Business Administration programs in the several states and by providing shared membership opportunities such as insurance. There is a comprehensive program for assisting in applying for and obtaining SBA loans.
Institute of Management Consultants is an organization for professionals in the business consulting industry. Membership today is comprised primarily of members who work in the IT consulting sector, although every business consulting contract includes some measure of IT analysis. There are several areas of consulting practice that provide focal points for membership networking including Healthcare, Public Sector, Transportation, Exporters, and Nonprofits.

Business Accreditation and Credentials

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is the accrediting organization for business schools in the United States as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The AACSB accrediting program covers business, accounting, and finance degrees.
Certified Management Consultant program is offered by the Institute of Management Consultants as a resume builder for qualified professionals. There are three levels for qualification: consultants with three to nine years' experience, consultants with ten or more years' experience, and consultants with substantial management and management consulting experience.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards offers the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential, which is obtained by completing a CFP course of study and the exam that follows. CFP certification programs are offered by over 300 colleges and universities in the United States.
CFA Institute has a very challenging three step series of study programs and exams that lead to recognition as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). This credential is highly respected in the corporate world and appears as a requirement on many job postings for senior executive positions.
Global Association of Risk Professionals offers what is generally recognized to be the leading professional certification in the field. The program requires membership in the organization and completion of an exam. A minimum of two years' experience in risk management is required.