If you are interested in attaining graduate level education in order to advance your career in finance, you might be wondering about an MBA in Finance. By reading the information found below, you can learn the answer to this question and several others that pertain to the field of finance.

Finance – The Basics

Although broadly defined, finance is basically a field within the economics sector that involves the allocation of liabilities and assets with conditions of both uncertainty and certainty. Additionally, finance can be considered the science of managing money and is predicated upon pricing assets based on expected return on investment (ROI) and risk level. There are three sub-categories within the field of finance: corporate finance, personal finance, and public finance.

What is an MBA in Finance?

The MBA in Finance is a graduate level degree program that affords students an opportunity to gain a broad understanding of securities analysis, corporate finance, financial institutions and markets, and portfolio management. Upon enrolling in an MBA program, students will take several traditional courses from general MBA programs as well as classes that pertain directly to the field of finance. These courses will emphasize analysis and theory while also making extensive use of strategies pertaining to mathematics, economic analysis, and statistics.

Careers in Finance

Most individuals who obtain the MBA in finance enter fields that involve working for investment banking firms, general businesses, management consulting firms, broker-dealer firms, domestic and international financial institutions, and various departments of commercial banks. Individuals who opt to earn an MBA in Finance may consider a career as a financial manager. These individuals are responsible for maintaining the financial health of a business, and they accomplish this objective through direct investment activities as well as the production of financial reports. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for a financial manager is $109,740.

Some Considerations

If you are thinking about pursuing an MBA in Finance, there are several things you should take into consideration. First, you should know when your courses will be offered. While some learning institutions will offer courses on weeknights, others will only provide instruction during the day. Additionally, some MBA programs will offer courses on other campuses while others will only offer them on the main campus.

Yet another consideration that individuals interested in obtaining an MBA in Finance should think about is how long it will take to complete the program based on when courses are offered. While one might complete an MBA program in a mere 18 months, this time could be extended if the learning institution’s schedule of courses necessitates that a student be enrolled part-time.

Online Learning Options

Individuals who are interested in earning an MBA in Finance, yet would like a flexible schedule, may be interested in learning online. There are several educational institutions that offer online programs, and one of the greatest benefits of these types of programs is the scheduling flexibility. In short, students who opt to learn online do not have to be in a physical classroom at a predetermined time. Rather, they can study whenever it is convenient for them. This feature of online learning can benefit everyone, but is often particularly convenient for individuals who have familial obligations and/or a full-time work schedule.

Conclusion

If you are thinking about advancing your career in finance through graduate level education, you should know that doing so can bring many personal and professional rewards. Now that you what an MBA in Finance is, you can determine whether this educational path would be appropriate and advantageous for you.