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How to Earn a Graduate Degree in Business Administration

Earning a master's degree in business administration (MBA) enhances job skills and improves your marketability. A Graduate Management Admission Council survey reports that many companies seek employees with MBA degrees and pay a higher salary for the credential. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that employees with graduate degrees receive higher earnings and have lower unemployment rates.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Undergraduate degree transcript
  • Completed applications
  • References
  1. Step 1

    Determine if an MBA degree is right for you. Consider your undergraduate degree, work experience, skills and career goals. The website MBA offers a career self-assessment.

  2. Step 2

    Evaluate your finances to determine if you can afford the degree. Research potential financial assistance sources. Check to see if your employer offers education reimbursement. Contact your bank to inquire about loans and lines of credit. Ask the schools if they offer financial aid.

  3. Step 3

    Decide if you want to go to a traditional brick and mortar school or earn your degree online. Factors to consider include: your work schedule, personal obligations, learning style and school tuition. If you decide to earn your degree online, read the eHow article "How to Find Online Classes" for tips on selecting a distance education school.

  4. Step 4

    Research schools. Start by visiting a school's website to gather information on course descriptions, admission requirements and tuition fees. Schedule an appointment to meet with an admissions representative to learn more about the school and ask questions. For local schools, ask for a tour of the campus. For online schools, ask for a temporary password to tour the student website.

  5. Step 5

    Check to see if the school requires an entrance exam. State schools often require applicants to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and obtain a minimum score. Private schools don't always require the GMAT but may administer a school aptitude test.

  6. Step 6

    Prepare a timeline of action steps. The application and acceptance process can range from several weeks to several months depending on the school you select. For example, your school may require you to submit a recommendation letter from a business contact. After you select a school and review the application process, create a to-do list with due dates to help stay on track.

Tips & Warnings
  • State school tuition is typically less than private school tuition, but the entrance requirements can be more rigorous.
  • Give yourself ample time to study for the GMAT to ensure that you are successful. Purchase a study guidebook or attend an exam preparation class if possible.
  • Be realistic about your chances of getting into your ideal school. Popular schools receive many applications and often follow a stringent screening and selection process. Select one or two back up choices just in case.
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