To echo Bob's comment, realize that the bulk of the courseload in most MBA programs consists of a core curriculum covering the gamut of general business studies: accounting, finance, marketing, operations and management. You often don't have to declare a specialization right away, or can change your initial choice. Take the core classes, see what floats your boat and "specialize" in that.

Keep in mind the "specialization" or "area of study" is often only 4-6 courses, and you're expected to take a few advanced courses outside the area of specialization. (Blanket statement disclaimer: your MBA program may differ, but this is what I've seen in most).

Under those guidelines, you should be able to tailor-design a program that meets your areas of interest. And if you can't squeeze it all into the MBA program, take post-MBA classes (some schools offer a post MBA certificate or other accreditation).

Lastly, while the "MBA diploma" can be the key to getting you into some interviews, its the actual learning during the program (and the ability to convey and use it) that gets you the job and keeps you there. So take what you find interesting and you think employers will find valuable. Good luck!

I finished an MBA degree about 6 years ago. (It was strange being the oldest person in most classes). The program I attended at the University of South Florida in Tampa emphasized breadth instead of specialization. A degree requires 9 hours in each of three study tracks. Mine were more traditional - management, marketing and international business. Other tracks available included entrepreneurship, leadership, healthcare management, and others. A program such as this would allow you to study your specialty in a "track" but also give you breadth though your choices in the other two tracks. You may also create an "advanced track" by taking 15 hours in a particular track instead of the requirement of 9. An advanced track does not release you from the other two. The capstone is a two semester course that requires "from scratch" creation of a complete business plan for an existing business or a start-up. A lot of local businesses participate in the program because it is an inexpensive way to get a top-notch business plan.

Boiling it all down - some specialty is good but breadth counts a lot in meeting the planned and unplanned challenges of a business on a daily basis.

Before DB commits to grad school, he should read "The Management Myth" in the June 2006 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. Author Matthew Stewart notes: "As a principal and founding partner of a consulting firm that eventually grew to 600 employees, I interviewed, hired, and worked alongside hundreds of business-school graduates, and the impression I formed of the M.B.A. experience was that it involved taking two years out of your life and going deeply into debt, all for the sake of learning how to keep a straight face while using phrases like 'out-of-the-box thinking,' 'win-win situation,'? and 'core competencies.'?" His recommendation: If you want to succeed in business, don't get an M.B.A. Study philosophy instead.

One other factoid for DB: MBA programs vary in length, content, and focus. Many schools are finding a "30 Hour" MBA easier to sell, but then screening applicants by GRE and undergrad preparation; others have a "45 Hour" program with more chance at either remedial study (for non-business undergrads) or specialization; others are in between. Getting into a 30 hour program that doesn't catch you up on the fundamentals you need is no bargain. Buyer beware!

Okay, heard of those before, but the world as I see it works the other way round. I know Bill G is a drop-out, as well as Larry E, but an education, up till the undergraduate and graduate degrees still serve as "living maker".

I want an MBA because I was by-passed once for promotion as Lead despite experience. That guy has a Masters. I see no value in MSc in IT, so it's MBA instead for me. Many corporations see a Masters holder as someone promote-able, for some reasons I do not know. I won't argue with them though for I need the job.
Some even want techie Oracle database administrators to be Master holders, even back in that third-world country that I came from!

I shall take Bob's advise of a General MBA because I see that INSEAD does the same. That will do as my 2nd Opinion ;-)

I just want to echo Bob's advice. I've dealt with a lot of MBA consultants in my career, and they know all the right buzzwords, but understand very little, and what they know is bought way too dear. If your program has a specialization that actually teaches something of value, like accounting, logistics, or operations research, that's the direction I'd want to go in. To me, the worst thing would be to spend a lot of time and money and come away feeling that you really don't know how to do anything.

Then go to get your degree in the field you've already practised in. Otherwise you won't get the slitest idea of how to do things no matter how good the education will be.

I am B.Tech & 10 yrs experience in Plant management of FMCG companies and working as General Manager .
I want to get a MBA for better business development careers in goof organistaions .
Which MBA will be better for me .
Marketing , Finance or Supply Chain .