What Does an MBA Teach You? Essential Skills and Knowledge Areas

When you’re trying to earn a promotion, get a raise or land a new job, a master of business administration (MBA) degree can significantly enhance your professional credentials. Employers want to hire professionals with education and know-how, and an MBA can set you far ahead of the pack. The MBA curriculum exposes students to all aspects of business administration, from financial analysis to marketing management, while developing both hard and soft skills necessary for success in leadership and management roles.

When you enroll in an MBA program, you'll gain skills through courses in business analytics, business strategy, economics and organizational behavior. These fundamental courses form the foundation of what you learn in an MBA program and provide knowledge that supports long-term career growth.

Some of the most successful executives are MBA graduates. For example, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, and Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, both hold MBA degrees.¹ While their success stems from multiple factors, their MBA education provided foundational skills that continue to serve them well. Most MBA programs focus on developing these essential competencies:

Advancing within an organization—or successfully launching your own business—requires strong management and leadership abilities. While some individuals possess natural leadership and management skills, most MBA students learn and develop these capabilities through structured coursework. The MBA curriculum teaches students how to make informed business decisions and effectively lead teams.

Business professionals must address complex business challenges daily. What key skills do you learn in an MBA program? Students develop strategic thinking skills and problem-solving skills necessary to conduct business research and identify market opportunities. MBA graduates gain an in-depth understanding of how to formulate marketing strategies and drive business growth.

Although they're often referred to as soft skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills facilitate everything from public speaking to navigating investor relations and negotiating business deals. MBA students learn practical techniques to enhance these abilities through group projects and networking opportunities. These opportunities help students develop professional networks that often prove valuable throughout their careers.

What do you learn in an MBA program? MBA courses offer a broad range of business fundamentals through management courses that build comprehensive business knowledge. The MBA curriculum equips students with both hard and soft skills essential for success in the business world.

Do you know how to read a balance sheet or forecast headcount needs for the next year? These are critical skills gained through a graduate business school education. MBA students develop an in-depth understanding of finance principles, learn to analyze financial statements, develop budgets and make informed business decisions. These technical skills prove valuable whether you're driving business growth as a finance leader or serving as an executive who needs to understand fiscal operations.

An MBA teaches students to identify market trends and understand marketing strategy. MBA programs teach students marketing strategies that encompass both traditional and digital approaches. Coursework on market research helps students develop valuable skills in consumer behavior and market analysis that contribute to business growth.

Effective operations management creates the foundation for sustainable business growth. An MBA program typically teaches students how to optimize business processes, while providing an international business perspective on supply chain dynamics. This knowledge helps streamline operations through data analysis skills and strategic thinking skills.

External factors affect an organization just as much as internal ones do. Most MBA programs include coursework in both microeconomic and macroeconomic principles, teaching students how external factors influence business decisions. Working alongside professors and students from diverse backgrounds enriches the learning experience, helping future leaders gain a global perspective on business ethics and organizational behavior. This collaborative environment enhances students' ability to make informed business decisions while considering varied cultural and economic viewpoints.

Many MBA programs offer elective courses and concentrations that allow students to customize their education based on specific career goals. These specialized options help students develop targeted skills for complex business challenges in their chosen fields. For example, William & Mary's Online MBA includes an optional Business Analytics certificate for students who want to enhance their technical and data analysis capabilities.

Some other popular concentrations in MBA programs include human resources management, operations management, entrepreneurial skills development and international business. These focused areas of study help students gain specialized expertise that aligns with their career goals while building on their core business fundamentals.

While hard skills form the bulk of what you learn from this popular business degree, MBA programs also promote soft skills. Time management, leadership abilities and interpersonal communication emerge naturally through the program structure, which includes regular deadlines and group projects.

Another benefit MBA students have access to is networking. Class interactions, team projects and campus events offer many opportunities to meet other professionals. Those connections can provide long-term benefits that may help you escalate your career and personal growth.

William & Mary’s Online MBA program teaches you critical skills for handling everyday business situations. Through a combination of theoretical study and practical applications, you will prepare for expanded job opportunities while learning to address the complex challenges of the modern business world.

Leading business schools, including William & Mary, incorporate hands-on learning opportunities through internships and consulting projects. These experiences allow you to work alongside experienced business professionals, gaining valuable skills and practical experience through exposure to real-world business challenges while building your professional network.

Case studies, internships and consulting projects help to solidify the knowledge gained from your coursework, providing a broad range of business management skills for your career growth.

Earning an MBA as a working professional requires a serious commitment, but this degree can open the doors to a fulfilling career and plenty of advancement opportunities. With an MBA, you may find it easier to command a higher salary or secure a promotion. The leadership and technical skills from an MBA equip you to succeed in a changing and dynamic business environment.

William & Mary’s Online MBA program and the optional business analytics certificate equip students with valuable skills that can lead to expanded job opportunities and career advancement. Since it's an online program, there’s no need for a regular campus commute, making it easier to fit in with your other commitments. William & Mary has also made applying easier by removing the GMAT requirement.

The comprehensive curriculum develops hard and soft skills essential for success in the business world, preparing you to address complex business challenges across various industries. To learn more about William & Mary’s Online MBA program, explore the admissions information or speak to a helpful admissions outreach advisor.