The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, recognized as the world’s most coveted graduate management qualification, is offered by top business schools worldwide. This graduate-level program imparts both theoretical and practical insights into fundamental business management principles, preparing students for careers in business law, accounting, information analysis, business analytics, operations management, economics, corporate finance, marketing, strategic management and more. Each year, ambitious individuals apply to diverse MBA programs driven by the high demand for graduates in leadership and specialized roles across various industries.
By pursuing an MBA from an AACSB-accredited business school, graduates acquire well-rounded management expertise that employers value when prioritizing candidates to hire and leaders to develop. Just as important, business school fosters the development of today’s most in-demand soft skills and transferable leadership abilities, ensuring that MBA graduates are well prepared for success in any culture or environment.
What Is the Curriculum Structure of the UNCW MBA Online Program?
An MBA program typically comprises a well-rounded blend of core courses, elective courses and experiential learning components. Core courses in the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) online MBA program form the foundational knowledge base and cover essential subjects such as corporate finance, business analytics, operations management, economics, marketing and management.
Elective courses allow students to specialize in areas of their interest, such as healthcare finance, strategic global marketing, foundations of entrepreneurship and international HR management. Throughout the curriculum, the program incorporates leadership development and soft skills training to prepare you for management and executive roles.
Why Should I Earn an MBA?
MBA graduates are in consistently high demand for rewarding leadership and specialist positions and command excellent salaries. Consider the promising stats the 2022 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey reports:
- 92% of corporate recruiters expect to hire newly minted MBAs in 2023.
- 95% of staffing firms plan to hire MBAs this year.
- 87% of recruiters are either highly confident or confident in business school preparation for success in their organizations.
- Top reasons for confidence in graduates are they bring versatile skills in communication, strategic thinking, innovation and have an ability to handle global business and leadership readiness.
- 67% of corporations are expanding and 65% plan to increase headcount.
- The median bonuses companies expect to offer new hires is $10,500.
- 32% of recruiters are offering assistance in paying down school loans.
Then consider what MBA alums had to say about the value of their business school educations, as reported in the 2022 GMAC Value of Graduate Management Education Survey report:
- 87% of alums say it increased their employability.
- 77% said it increased their earning power.
- 76% said it prepared them for leadership positions.
- 76% said it developed their professional network.
- 72% said they are paid enough to support their desired lifestyles.
What Careers Can I Prepare for in an MBA Program?
MBA graduates are generally well-suited for leadership and management roles in finance, business law, marketing, consulting, information accounting, business analytics, operations management, strategic management, healthcare, technology and more. As an MBA graduate in finance, you can pursue careers in investment banking, corporate finance, accounting or financial consulting. Your marketing leadership opportunities may include brand management, market research or digital marketing. Consulting firms value MBA graduates for their problem-solving skills. Healthcare management positions in hospitals or pharmaceutical companies are also common for MBA holders. The technology sector offers product and project management opportunities, among many others. The entrepreneurial skills an MBA program develops can also prepare you to start your own business or join a startup.
MBA graduates are often in high demand for positions that require strategic thinking, versatility, ability to navigate technological advancement and disruption, decision-making and leadership, which makes it a versatile degree with a wide array of career pathways. This skill set is the primary reason MBA graduates are so heavily represented in management and executive roles across industries and at the highest levels of their organizations.
UNCW’s high-value business master’s program requires far less financial investment than MBA programs at other AACSB-accredited business schools in North Carolina and across the U.S. It also provides diverse options for customizing your degree to align with your career goals and interests. If you are looking to develop the skills that correlate with upward mobility into trusted leadership roles across industries, this program can provide you with the academic foundation you need to make an impact in your career.
Learn more about the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s online Master of Business Administration program.
