Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializations allow you to acquire business fundamentals and acumen while zeroing in on a concentration that matches your career ambitions. One of the most widely pursued MBA specializations is one in finance and for good reason.
Graduates of an MBA in finance degree program are ready for leading roles within financial institutions because of their in-depth understanding of risk diversification — both domestic and international. They also are well-versed in using derivatives to hedge risk, including currency risk. They understand modern portfolio theory and the interaction of financial markets and financial regulators and bring employers a comprehensive educational background in business essentials such as accounting, information systems, marketing and operations management.
In the St. Cloud State University MBA with a concentration in Finance online program, students dive into managerial decision concepts, balancing risks with profitability, coordination processes, ethics, sustainability, leadership, communication and critical thinking. The AACSB-accredited program prepares graduates for leadership roles, including financial advisor, financial analyst, investment bank associate, corporate controller and chief financial officer. This program is for professionals who want to rise to the management and executive ranks of financial institutions.
A Uniquely Versatile Degree
Business schools offer an opportunity for professionals to explore career opportunities and where they intersect with their own talents and interests. MBA students enjoy experiential learning opportunities to explore a wide variety of business roles and apply the theories they learn in management and problem-solving scenarios.
A business degree focusing on finance is ideal for both those making a career shift from another field and those well established in the finance field. An MBA program provides them with knowledge and experiences otherwise unavailable to them in their current or previous positions. Because there are so many career options in the private and public sectors, the degree proves versatile in such a diverse and growing field. This selection of industries and specializations a graduate may consider speaks to the versatility of the degree:
- Asset management
- Corporate finance
- Corporate banking
- Credit risk management
- Derivatives structuring
- Hedge fund management
- Private equity
- Equity and debt analysis
That versatility provides security and more job options when the economy is in a downturn. But make no mistake: finance is growing with healthy projections going well into the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 17% job growth (much faster than average) for financial managers between 2020 and 2030. Moreover, the median pay for those with bachelor’s degrees, as of May 2022, is $131,710 per year, and that figure would be higher for financial managers with an MBA.
Make a Career Pivot With Confidence
One of the most common reasons for enrolling in an MBA degree program is to facilitate a career change. Many business professionals want to break out of a plateau in their career and into management and executive roles and need training that their current employer cannot provide. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing a business school degree because it is one of the most efficient ways to develop future leaders.
This degree program is ideal for working professionals with three to five years of experience who seek personal and professional transformation. Experiential opportunities in the program allow students to combine skills they have mastered in their careers with new business and financial concepts they learn in the program. Through projects, case studies and work with real companies to solve problems, students try on different roles, develop proficiencies and facilitate a career change.
Initially, a graduate may fill a financial manager or a treasury group role. Still, St. Cloud State University’s MBA in Finance program sets ambitious professionals on a path to highly rewarding and high-paying C-suite positions. Combining of management and decision-making capabilities with deep business and financial knowledge ultimately empowers graduates to advance to the highest levels of financial organizations.
Continue to Work With the Flexibility of Earning Your Degree Online
Students can complete the St. Cloud MBA with a concentration in Finance online program in as few as 10 months while continuing to work. The program features 7-week courses and multiple start dates each year. If you are serious about pursuing a high-level career in finance, this online degree program offers an efficient path toward realizing your ambitions.
Learn more about St. Cloud State University’s Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance online program.
