Is an MBA with a Specialization in Finance Worth It?

At DeVry, we think an MBA with a Specialization in Finance can absolutely be worth it if you're interested in pursuing a career in business.

A finance-focused MBA can help you expand your skills in two directions at once. Instead of focusing on just business-related principles as you would in a general MBA program, or only finance topics like in Master's in Accounting and Financial Management, an MBA with a Specialization in Accounting can give you the opportunity to build up your abilities in both areas and help prepare you to pursue careers in either field.

Pursuing an MBA can be a big decision. If you've been wondering whether or not an MBA with a Specialization in Finance is worth it for you, then you probably have more than a few questions. In this article, we'll take a look at the reasons why you might choose to earn a finance-focused MBA program, why it's a good addition to a general MBA and explore some of the things you can do once you’ve earned this degree and more in the following sections:

• Why Choose an MBA with a Specialization in Finance?
• Is an MBA in Finance Hard?
• What are the Pros and Cons of an MBA with a Specialization in Finance?
• Is Finance a Good Specialization for an MBA?
• What Can I Do after I Earn my MBA with a Specialization in Finance?

There are a few reasons you might choose an MBA with a Specialization in Finance over other similar degrees. Compared to an MBA with a Specialization in Finance, the two most similar degrees are a Master's in Accounting and Financial Management or a general MBA. A Master's in Accounting and Financial Management has a focus on finance and incorporates elements of accounting. It also tends to be a good degree choice for people who are interested in working in the wider world of investments or financial management.

A general MBA will cover topics associated with business administration and management, such as collaboration, leadership skills and high-level business concepts. People who pursue a general MBA are generally students that want to eventually work in a business environment as a manager or team leader.

In an MBA with a Specialization in Finance degree program, you have the opportunity to learn both high-level finance and business administration skills, allowing you to become a more knowledgeable candidate for either field. It also may help you keep your options open when searching for employment, as the leadership elements of an MBA program are designed to help you prepare to pursue management-level positions.

While the difficulty of a program is a subjective experience, an MBA with a Specialization in Finance program is generally no more difficult than any other MBA or master's degree. People who are comfortable with math and general business concepts may have an easier time grasping the concepts that are taught in this kind of program. However, people without a background in either of these areas can still excel if they’re diligent with studying and work with their professors to close any gaps.

As with any degree, there might be several reasons why you may want to earn an MBA with a Specialization in Finance over a different degree.

Since an MBA with a Specialization in Finance covers both business and finance concepts, it can help you build the skills needed to pursue a career in either field. Having this range of skills, along with the versatility of this type of degree, gives you the ability to move between industries should you ever wish to change your career. As a graduate degree that’s geared toward preparing you for leadership roles, it may help increase the types of jobs you’re able to apply for, and the level of those jobs.

Ultimately, what may be seen as a disadvantage to earning an MBA in Finance applies to any graduate-level degree. Pursuing higher education requires you to spend more time in school compared to stopping after your bachelor's degree, which may delay you joining the workforce. In addition to time, there is also a financial aspect associated with staying in school for longer. Enrolling in full- or part-time classes or taking more classes at once can play a role in trimming the time it takes to earn your degree. And transfer credits, grants, scholarships or financial aid can affect the cost of your overall education.

Finance can be a good choice for an MBA specialization if you're interested in pursuing a career in this field. Financial concepts are especially important to understand if you hope to work in a high-level position at a company. Having a degree that helps you understand how to communicate complex financial principles can help you understand how to convey that information to shareholders and board members.

Once you've earned an MBA with a Specialization in Finance, you can start your job search. Some of the jobs that graduates of DeVry’s MBA with a Specialization in Finance degree might consider include:

• Business Manager
• Financial Analyst
• General Manager
• Investment Fundamentals and Security Analysis
• Store Manager

Keep in mind that these jobs are not standardized across the industry, and the application requirements may vary from company to company. Learn more about Careers in Finance.