6 In-Demand MBA Specializations

Pursuing an advanced degree in business can help working professionals deepen their expertise and broaden their career opportunities.

One of the most popular types of advanced degrees in business is the Master of Business Administration (MBA). MBA programs accounted for about one-third of total master-level enrollment in business schools in 2022-23, with specialist programs accounting for about 50%, according to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

While an MBA provides a comprehensive generalist foundation in core business disciplines, many MBA programs also offer concentrations or specializations that allow students to focus their education on a particular industry or business function. Specialized MBAs can shape graduates’ career trajectories, helping them stand out to employers and potentially command higher salaries.

Exploring different MBA specializations can help prospective students decide what field of study best aligns with their interests and goals.

Why Choose an MBA Specialization?

Choosing to specialize in an MBA can serve multiple purposes, allowing students to build targeted, career-relevant skills and potentially gain a competitive edge in the job market. The most notable advantages of pursuing a specialized MBA include the following:

Align education with career goals. A traditional MBA is designed to equip students with broad business knowledge that can be applied across industries and roles. Consequently, the curriculum is comprehensive, covering key aspects of business strategy, along with foundational management and leadership principles. An MBA specialization provides in-depth training in a particular area or a specific career path, allowing students to tailor their studies to their professional aspirations.

Develop niche expertise. By aligning their education with their interests and goals, students can build deeper expertise in a particular business discipline, industry, or role. Honing specialized skills in areas such as analytics or finance, for example, can help graduates stand out in the job market and may open doors to new professional opportunities.

Boost earning potential. Graduates with advanced degrees typically earn more than those who only have an undergraduate degree. Specializing in an MBA can enhance this earning trajectory even further, as employers are often willing to pay a premium for employees with advanced knowledge and skills in a particular area.

A diverse group of business professionals in a conference room smile at the camera.

6 MBA Specializations and Careers

MBA programs offer countless specializations, covering areas such as accounting, entrepreneurship, human resources, and healthcare. Understanding the different options can help prospective students identify the programs that best align with their long-term goals.

Below are the online MBA specializations offered by Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) and the career paths they can lead to, along with median salary and employment growth data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) where available. Qualifications for these roles often vary by employer and industry, and in some cases, additional education or training may be required.

1. MBA With a Concentration in Artificial Intelligence

The MBA with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) blends strategic management training and technical literacy, helping students understand how this emerging technology can support innovation and responsible decision-making. Learners explore various AI applications, governance considerations, and project management fundamentals, so they can lead AI initiatives.

AI Careers

AI is reshaping the job market, affecting virtually every profession. According to PwC’s The Fearless Future: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, 100% of industries are increasing their AI use. In this evolving landscape, an MBA with a focus on AI from NDNU can prepare graduates for roles such as:

Computer network architect: $130,390 (2024); 12% growth (2024-2034; 21,400 new jobs)

Computer and information systems manager: $171,200 (2024);15% growth (2024-2034; 101,600 new jobs)

Project management specialist: $100,750 (2024); 6% growth (2024-2034; 58,700 new jobs)

2. MBA With a Concentration in Business Analytics

The MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics empowers students to translate data into strategic business decisions. Through hands-on coursework in data querying, visualization, and AI project management, the program helps learners build both the technical fluency and strategic acumen to lead analytics-driven initiatives.

Business Analytics Careers

This specialized MBA helps students build the skills to leverage data to drive business growth, preparing them for roles such as:

Data scientist: $112,590 (2024); 34% growth (2024-2034; 82,500 new jobs)

Management analyst: $101,190 (2024); 9% growth (2024-2034; 94,500 new jobs)

Operations research analyst: $91,290 (2024); 21% growth (2024-2034; 24,100 new jobs)

3. MBA With a Concentration in Cybersecurity

An MBA specialization targeting one of the fastest-growing industries, the MBA with a concentration in Cybersecurity prepares students to lead cyber defense with a curriculum that combines strategic business leadership and cybersecurity oversight. They’ll learn how to align security investments with business goals, build digital resilience within their organizations, and navigate governance and risk frameworks.

Cybersecurity Careers

The MBA with a specialization in Cybersecurity can help business professionals break into this dynamic, in-demand field and qualify for roles such as:

Information security analyst: $124,910 (2024); 29% growth (2024-2034; 52,100 new jobs)

Computer and information research scientist: $140,910 (2024); 20% growth (2024-2034; 7,900 new jobs)

Computer systems analyst: $103,790 (2024); 9% growth (2024-2034; 45,500 new jobs)

4. MBA With a Concentration in Finance

The MBA with a concentration in Finance helps students hone their expertise in financial decision-making and investment strategy, while also exploring emerging technologies such as blockchain and decentralized finance.

Finance Careers

Through real-world case studies and applied modeling, the MBA with a concentration in Finance prepares students for roles such as:

Financial manager: $161,700 (2024); 15% growth (2024-2034; 128,800 new jobs)

Financial analyst: $101,910 (2024); 6% growth (2024-2034; 25,100 new jobs)

Personal financial advisor: $102,140 (2024); 10% growth (2024-2034; 31,200 new jobs)

5. MBA With a Concentration in Healthcare Administration

The MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration helps students hone their business skills with a focus on healthcare policy, operations, finance, and analytics. The program is designed to prepare students for leadership in clinical settings, start-ups, and healthcare systems, equipping them with the tools to manage costs, quality, and innovation.

Healthcare Administration Careers

The MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration can prepare graduates for careers that leverage business and healthcare operations insight, such as:

Medical and health services manager: $117,960 (2024); 23% growth (2024- 2034; 142,900 jobs)

Clinical data manager: Approximately $83,000 (June 2025, Payscale)

Health informatics specialist: Approximately $78,200 (July 2025, Payscale)

6. MBA With a Concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management

The MBA with a concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management focuses on mission-driven leadership, policy analysis, and strategic planning in government and nonprofit contexts. Students develop skills in evidence-based decision-making and data analysis that they can use to shape programs, impact communities, and deliver social value.

Public Administration and Nonprofit Management Careers

The MBA with a concentration in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management prepares students to lead in settings and roles such as:

Social and community service manager: $78,240 (2024); 6% growth (2024- 2034; 14,100 new jobs)

Public relations and fundraising manager: $132,870 (2024); 5% growth (2024-2034; 6,100 new jobs)

Urban and regional planner: $83,720 (2024); 3% growth (2024-2034; 1,500 new jobs)

An mba graduate takes notes during a small team meeting.

Find the Right Fit for Your MBA

Choosing an MBA specialization can help aspiring professionals align their studies with their professional goals and take advantage of new opportunities across industries.

The online MBA program at NDNU offers six different concentrations, allowing you to tailor your education to a specific career path. Our fully online program is designed with working adults in mind, helping you balance coursework with your personal and professional commitments.

Discover how NDNU can help you advance your career with an MBA built around your goals. Fill out the form below to get in touch with our Admissions team.

Recommended Readings

How to Become a Healthcare Administrator

How to Advance Your Business Skills With an AI Master’s Degree

What Can You Do With An MBA?

Sources:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Master’s Enrollment Trends at AACSB Schools: A Shifting Landscape

Indeed, 14 of the Highest-Paid MBA Majors (With Descriptions)

Payscale, Average Clinical Data Manager Salary

Payscale, Average Health Informatics Specialist Salary

PwC, The Fearless Future: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Systems Managers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Research Scientists