How To Earn Dual MBA Degree

In the business world, earning a master’s degree in business administration is seen as necessary for professionals who want to advance their careers. The degree offers graduates a better understanding of business and leadership, and an MBA can provide skills necessary for the job market.

If you’re considering going back to higher education institute | business school | university, the IHED Business School of Switzerland can provide an inside look into the General Admission (GA) requirements, concentration majors, and potential career opportunities for MBA graduates. 

IHED Business School of Switzerland  

Elevate your career to the next level with a comprehensive and flexible and multiple MBA degree program from IHED Business School and Partner Universities.

Admission Requirements

Whether you’re an undergraduate student or a professional considering returning to school, it’s important to understand MBA application requirements. While every MBA program is different most admission offices will require the following:

• Completed application forms
• Current resume
• Transcripts from any previous colleges
• Reference letters
• Admission test scores
• Application essay

Along with the items above, you’ll want to speak with the university admissions team to see if additional information, such as a work portfolio, is needed.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time MBA

An important decision that all potential MBA students have to make is whether to do a part-time or a full-time program. The amount of time you can dedicate to school is one of the biggest deciding factors. Full-time MBA programs often only take one to two years to complete, whereas part-time degrees can take up to five years.

Part-Time MBA Programs Advantages

• More lenient admission standards
• Opportunity to receive funding from a current employer
• Flexibility to continue working

Part-Time MBA Programs Disadvantages

• Extended program length
• Less access to networking events
• Minimal scholarship opportunities

Full-Time MBA Programs Advantages

• Able to be completed in less than two years
• Opportunities to build a network with fellow classmates
• More opportunities for scholarships

Full-Time MBA Programs Disadvantages

• Harder to work and complete degree at the same time
• Can be more expensive
• Increased class load
•  

MBA Concentrations

Depending on which graduate business school you choose to attend, you could be required to or have the option to declare a concentration. Selecting a concentration to focus on can be a great way to further your knowledge in a specific business area.

For example, if you’re looking to switch to the manufacturing industry, you should consider selecting a supply chain management concentration. Likewise, business professionals looking to start their own business can often complete an MBA program with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

Below are a few concentrations to consider, not all of these concentrations will be available in every program and programs may use different names for concentrations, such as specialization or focus area.

MBA in Entrepreneurship

Individuals who dream of starting their own business should consider an MBA with a specialization in entrepreneurship. In addition to the standard MBA course load, most programs require students to take classes such as:

• New start-up business law
• Asset management
• Entrepreneurial strategies
• Small business accounting and finance

Graduates who earn an MBA degree with an entrepreneurship concentration are better prepared to handle the challenges of running a business.

MBA in Marketing

In recent years the marketing concentration for MBA students has grown in popularity. With the need for companies to compete online, knowing online marketing strategies and tactics make graduates highly desirable for organizations.

Since marketing is a wide-ranging area, students prepare by learning about a variety of topics in their classes, such as:

• Consumer behavior
• Digital marketing strategy
• New product marketing
• International marketing
• Marketing forecasting

Since there is a need for experienced and knowledgeable marketing professionals, graduates have the opportunity to work in any industry. Most individuals with an MBA in marketing work as marketing managers, marketing directors and public relations specialists.

MBA in Supply Chain Management

One of the newer MBA concentrations is in supply chain management. Since companies have started to offer products online there has been a growing demand for high-quality leaders to work in distribution centers and warehouses.

Graduates with a supply chain management concentration can expect coursework that focuses on:

• Supply chain logistics
• Supply management
• Strategic sourcing
• Operations strategy

Most MBA graduates can start as logistic managers, warehouse managers, buyers and planners before taking on leadership roles as supply chain managers.

MBA in Finance

An MBA can lead to a high-paying, lucrative finance position. If your goal is to land a job in investment banking or advance your current finance career, consider pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance.

Students who choose this path can expect to will complete classes focused on:

• International finance
• Securities analysis
• Corporate investment management
• Portfolio management

Graduates of a finance program often hold jobs that involve financial modeling, portfolio management or hedge fund management.

Career Options for an MBA Graduate

One of the biggest advantages of earning an MBA degree are the career opportunities. For current business professionals, an MBA is often key to moving up in an organization. Having an MBA can also help recent graduates land their first job in the industry.

Below are just a few of the career options for MBA graduates:

• Financial Analyst
• Marketing Manager
• Logistics Manager
• Management Consultant

FAQs : Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many years is an MBA degree?

Most students should expect to spend one to two years earning an MBA degree. The time it takes to complete a degree will vary depending on whether you’re enrolled part-time or full-time.

Q. Will an MBA increase a salary?

According to the latest GMC Corporate Recruiters Survey, MBA graduates earn 77% more than graduates with a bachelor’s degree. The projected median salary for MBA graduates is $115,000.

Q. How much does an MBA cost?

On average, a master’s of business administration costs $66,340. Many factors can affect the cost of an MBA, including program type, location, school, and residency expenses.

Master’s Degree in Switzerland

Master’s degree in Switzerland lasts for 1~2 years, depending on the specialty and allows you to earn 90~120 ECTS credits. At this cycle, the choice of English-language programs is much wider compared to the bachelor’s cycle, but in most cases, knowledge of one of the state languages is still required. The only exceptions are private universities and MBAs. The main condition for admission is a bachelor’s degree in the same or related specialty.

Each university can set its own admission requirements when it comes to the previous education of the future master’s students. Traditional universities in most cases do not accept bachelor’s graduates of the universities of applied sciences (UAS) into their master’s programs, but some make exceptions for certain faculties. UAS, in turn, may require experience in your field. In universities of this type, studies are often combined with compulsory internships at companies.

Salaries in Switzerland increase in proportion to the level of education, for that reason, not only those who wish to get a PhD and build an academic career apply to master’s programs.