You could almost categorize master’s degrees as cool — they’ve become popular over the last decade, and this educational trend shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
The United States Department of Labor reports that more advanced degrees are earned in business administration each year than in any other field. Business occupations are expected to grow 10% between 2016 and 2026, adding nearly 775,000 new jobs. Marketing professionals will continue to be in demand as companies devise strategies to understand their customers’ wants and needs. The University of West Florida’s online Master of Business Administration can help you stand out from the rest of the pack.
Why UWF?
With sights set on a career in marketing and communications, Erin Jeffreys already had plans to continue her education as she approached graduation from UWF. Jeffreys knew many of her competitors in the job market would hold graduate degrees so she chose to pursue one, as well. “I knew I wanted to get my master’s because a master’s degree is pretty much the standard now,” said Jeffreys.
With strong interests in business, entrepreneurship, finance, accounting and operations, she knew an MBA was the right choice. Since Jeffreys was busy working as a public information officer, the fact that UWF offered the program online sweetened the deal.
“I started out going face to face, but then I decided I needed more flexibility,” she said. “When I found out the MBA program was fully online I said, ‘Okay, sure. Let’s do this.'”
In addition to leveraging the professional benefits her studies provided, Jeffreys found the program also taught her how to expertly manage time and greatly improved her organizational skills.
How Will I Manage Both Professional and Personal Goals?
UWF understands time is precious and that most graduate students juggle a full-time job alongside school. Many students balance the added responsibility of a family, too. The University of West Florida’s MBA program is designed to give you a comprehensive education at an accelerated pace. Each term lasts seven weeks and the classes are online, so students maintain complete control over their own schedules.
What Are the Courses Like?
The online MBA allows you the freedom to determine an industry to focus on for your research portfolio and provides you with knowledge and skills you can apply to your future career. Marketing professionals will learn how to analyze complex business problems and strategize solutions as well as compile data to thoroughly understand a company’s financial, marketing and economic perspectives.
As a marketing professional, one of Jeffreys’ favorite classes was MAN 6721: Strategic Management and Policy Formulation. “We got to play this simulation game called Capsim,” she said. “You are the CEO of the company and got to basically be in charge of everything. It was a nice, strategic view. You were able to see how every little part worked together.”
Another course geared toward your career goal is MAR 6815: Marketing Management. Completing this class will equip you to formulate and implement comprehensive marketing strategies. You can gain skills to create and maintain mutually satisfying customer relationships. The course emphasizes the integrative aspects of the marketing function in a market-based enterprise.
Learn more about the UWF online MBA program.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook – Business and Financial Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Career Outlook – Should I Get a Master’s Degree
