When it comes to applying for the MBA program, there is no one path that determines acceptance, and each school has different ideas for appropriate academic preparation. The minimum qualifications for students applying for MBA programs may vary. Can you do an MBA without a business related degree?
How can an MBA help me?
The world is no longer easily divided into specific industries, functions and skills. Employees are currently expected to train in many areas. This is where the MBA title appears – it allows the student to combine his experience with the business basics of finance, marketing, leadership, ethics and other basic business functions.
This need for cross-sectional training is one of the reasons why many schools – including Virginia Tech – encourage double or simultaneous diplomas with the MBA program. These degrees allow students to combine a degree in law, law or engineering with their MBA including same time. This combination of a very special technical and general MBA degree ensures that the student can speak the language of business skillfully, further increasing his marketability in the labor market.
Can I get an MBA degree without a business diploma?
Many people without business education continue their MBA studies for career advancement or transition to management. In 2017, more than half of all MBA applicants had undergraduate degrees not related to business. This estimate comes from the Graduate Management Admission Council, which designs and manages the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT), the most important exam for admission to MBA studies.
IN 2017, ABOVE HALF OF ALL PEOPLE APPLYING FOR MBA HAD A LICENSE DEGREE NOT CONNECTED WITH ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
As a professional degree, the program focuses on practical knowledge in the real world, not on theoretical or research material. Many MBA programs include an internship or apprenticeship under the graduation requirements. This degree strengthens the graduate’s CV and provides on-the-job training.
What do I need to be successful in the program?
Although all institutions have their own unique steps and requirements for admission and depending on the student’s previous field of study, the common MBA prerequisites for admission are a respected GPA, a well-written essay or personal statement, a professional CV with important professional experience, references and results from standard recruitment tests, such as GMAT® (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE® (Graduate Record Examination).
Students who do not have a strong analytical or mathematical background are often worried that they will not be able to succeed in the MA or MBA program. Often, however, universities offer pre-MBA preparation courses to help students with limited financial or accounting experience to obtain the basics they need to develop during their MBA journey. What’s more, taking the time to study the GMAT and GRE preparation tools can not only prepare you to pass standard tests, but can also be a great refreshing course of mathematics that you can use during the program.
