A Masters’ degree in business administration is more than just a certificate. It is your claim to a better future, enhanced career opportunities, a better life and the chance to make your own destiny. There is no wonder that with a MBA degree you can do a lot in life that may not otherwise be possible with any ordinary degree.
But in order to accelerate growth and fulfill all your dreams, doing just any MBA course may not be enough. You must understand the different kinds of MBAs offered by different colleges and universities and enroll in a program that best suits your needs. So before you decide on what you want to study understand the difference between a super specialized MBA finance syllabus and a general MBA syllabus.
Things You Need to Know about MBA Programs
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2017-18, management courses both in graduate level as well as post-graduate level attract a large percentage of students every year. In the post-graduate level most students are within the age group of 22 to 25 years. Around 76% MBA aspirants have a graduate degree in engineering while there is also about 10-12% students from commerce background.
There are essentially two kinds of management degrees offered by colleges and universities in India. One is the full-fledged two year Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree which can be offered by recognized universities and colleges affiliated to them. On the other hand, post graduate diploma in management can only be offered by autonomous institutions. Though the two year residential program is most common in India, there are other part-time, distance, online as well as executive MBA programs that are offered by different institutions across the country.
For enrolling in any MBA program (either in one of the central or state universities or in autonomous institutions), you need to meet certain criteria such as have a decent MAT, CAT score that allows you to seek admission in one of the programs. You also need to have a good percentage in your graduate degree. Adequate knowledge of mathematics, general aptitude and reasoning are necessary skills. If you are serious about a MBA these are a few things you must keep in mind.
Why Enroll in MBA Program
MBA is your window that opens to a world of opportunities. If you ever dreamt of owning your own house by the sea, of driving a luxurious car, of going on long international vacations and of enjoying life king size, you should get a MBA degree. That’s because very few professional courses offered in India open this kind of opportunities in so short a period as a degree in MBA does. There is no doubt that the two year program can be intensive and grueling. In the 24 months in campus you will get the learning of your life.
Most colleges and universities boast of great faculties who have behind them both academic excellences as well as professional experience. They teach beyond what’s written in books and expose young minds to the rigorous demands of management in the job sector. If you are ready for the ride of your lifetime, if you want the opportunity to be taught by brilliant teachers who go far and beyond – you need to complete your MBA today!
There is no denying that the journey isn’t easy. Though almost every other youth in India today enrolls for a MBA program, not everyone excels. That’s because the syllabus is large and tough. But no road to success is easy and smooth. You need to cross every hurdle, jump over the potholes, take the long meandering road in order to reach your destination. As a young graduate with eyes in the future, you can fulfill all your dreams if you are ready for the joyride (and the bumpy ride!) called MBA.
Types of MBA Programs You Need to Know
The term MBA is quite a buzz-word as almost every second person knows about it. While everyone understands the general meaning of the term, very few understand what the program encompasses. MBA programs are essentially of two kinds – general MBA and super specialized MBA. In this article we shall be talking in details the difference between the two and how one is different from the other. We shall also be discussing the various ways both are advantageous in their own right. We shall also be throwing light into why you must be aware of the difference between these two types of MBA programs.
General MBA – What it Entails
In General MBA the course structure is designed in such a manner that many things related to management are taught in the two years. Stress is especially laid on ways to develop critical thinking, hone a student’s leadership capabilities and also teach them business management. Emphasis is laid on the broad subjects of management, especially in the first year of the program.
The curriculum is divided mainly into two parts – 1st year and 2nd year. In the first year there are two semesters where the basics of management are taught. During these 12 months emphasis is laid on explaining what management really means and what are expected of future management executives. During the second year, every MBA program offers their students the opportunity to specialize in their chosen field. Specialization in general MBA is not all encompassing but even then teaches management students a few key things that help them secure a job later. Though in a general MBA there is a scope for specialization, it is not the single focus on the program. Emphasis is stressed on teaching students the general meaning of management.
Advantages of General MBA
General MBA is offered by innumerable B-schools in India. It is a very popular program because the generality of the program exposes students to a whole gamut of learning. There is no doubt that since the program is so popular it must have several advantages which we shall be discussing below.
- Teaches broad domains of management which can be applied in multiple industries.
- In terms of career opportunities, a whole gamut of options becomes readily available for those with a General MBA.
- In the second year of the program students have the freedom to choose an elective of their choice. They can base their choice after understanding their calibre in the first year of studies.
Disadvantages of General MBA
Though there is no doubt that general MBA has a lot of advantages that makes it appealing to the young minds there are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of.
- Many find the course curriculum of General MBA restrictive and unimaginative. It is also considered traditional.
- A general MBA degree can restrict your job prospects because of its course structure.
- A general MBA degree from a two-tier or three-tier college doesn’t add much value to your CV. If you want to pursue general MBA you must do so from a top-level B-school.
Super Specialized MBA – The Future of Management
There are two ways of learning things – one where you learn a subject in all its generalities and in the other approach you take a more in-depth interest in the subject and learn more about a specialized topic or subject. While we have spoken in details about the former while speaking about General MBA program, now we shall be talking about what a super specialized MBA means.
In a specialized MBA, as the name suggests, the course is much more targeted. Here the focus is purely on a specialized branch of management such as Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Operations or Marketing. During the two-year program, students are specifically taught about their chosen field of management studies.
There is hardly any scope to learn the general aspects of management. In most cases this type of course structure is designed for those who already have prior knowledge about management or have appropriate work experience.
Specialized MBA is mostly popular with those who know what they want in their future or understand the exact market requirement and want to prepare themselves for a sure-shot chance at a high paying job. Specialized MBAs are in high demands in several sectors such as hospitality management, rural management etc.
Advantages of Specialized MBA
In the past few years there has been an increasing demand for specialized MBA post graduates. There maybe a small window of opportunities for those seeking specialized MBA but the scope and growth opportunities are humungous. Let’s now take a look at some of the advantages of specialized MBA.
- In many job opportunities preference is given to those with a specialized MBA than those with a simple General MBA.
- Usually the course period is shorter. Since it is designed for those who already have basic knowledge about management, it is concise and short-term.
- It is an excellent course for those who already know what they want from their profession.
Disadvantages of Specialized MBA
There is no doubt that there are certain disadvantages of specialized MBA that we must address. Though they are not such great problems that should stop you from pursuing this course, you should still be aware of the problems.
- This course limits opportunities of a candidate. If on a later date you want to change your domain, it will become difficult with this degree.
- There aren’t too many colleges offering specialized MBA which means that your chance of getting admission is limited.
Super Specialized MBA in Finance – Scope and Career Opportunities
Among the many forms of specialized MBA one that is gaining quite some popularity is super specialized MBA in finance. As the name suggests it is a very niche area of MBA pertaining to financial management. There is a huge learning curve when you take up a specialization in finance and the opportunities after the completion of the course are immense. Some of the things that are invariably taught in this area of specialization include –
- Corporate Investment Management
- Small business and corporate finance
- Hedge fund management
- Portfolio Management
- Securities analysis
- Investments
- Collections
- Fundraising
- Borrowing
- International finance
- Disbursements
- Understanding international financial market and macroeconomics
If you have an aptitude for finance and understand how the global financial market operates, this is just the kind of specialization that you should do. However since we are talking about a highly specialized and professional program, you have to be thoroughly knowledgeable and be sure that this is the career you want to pursue.
The skills required for completing an MBA in Finance are –
- You must have adequate quantitative skills
- Must know basic financial management principles and accounting principles
- Ability to work with numbers in the long run
- Multi-tasking skills
- Understand concepts of valuation, fixed income securities, valuation, macroeconomics, and volatility of international markets.
Numerous opportunities open once you complete a specialized MBA in finance. Some of the fields where people with such degrees are highly sought are –
- Asset Management
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate Banking
- Credit Risk Management
- Derivatives Structuring
- Hedge Fund Management
- Treasury, and
- Private Equity
How To Get Admission for Specialized MBA in Finance
If you are really interested in seeking admissions in specialized MBA in Finance you will need to not only have an aptitude for financial dealings but will also need an aggregate score of at least 50% in your graduation. Apart from this, you also need to clear an entrance exam (such as CAT or MAT), the score of which will play a deciding role in how your admission goes. Most colleges also have different rounds of personal interviews as well as group discussions. Doing well in GD/PI is important to get admissions in your choice of college.
Duration of The Specialized MBA in Finance Program
Sometimes it can get confusing – is a specialized MBA program a full-fledged two year program or a shortened one year program? If you too are confused then here we have all the answers for you. While two year programs are not unknown they aren’t very popular. Usually a specialized MBA program is open for executives who already have some know-how about finance with at least 5-10 years of experience.
If you are still confused the next best thing to do is check the MBA finance syllabus to know more. Usually you will find all details in the prospectus. That’s the best place to find every information about admission and syllabus.
What’s the Difference Between Super Specialized MBA Finance and General MBA Finance
Though both super specialized MBA in Finance and General MBA in Finance appear to be one and the same thing, there is a difference between the two. In the super-specialized MBA in Finance the core focus is financial management. The course is also designed in a manner that financial principles and management applications are taught in-depth. Very little emphasis is laid on general management skills. On the other hand, a general MBA in finance will mean that you are taught the basics of management in details and in the second half of the program emphasis will be laid on finance. No in-depth emphasis is laid on finance in a general MBA program.
Now that you understand the difference between MBA finance syllabus in a specialized course structure and a general MBA in finance, you will be in a better position to choose between the two. Opt for the one that best suits your requirements.
