Dear matu007,

For most MBA programs, core coursework makes up at least 50% of the credit hours of the degree. At some programs, core coursework can make up as much as 75%. The reason behind this is that an MBA is intended to be a general management degree that educates the students in all functional areas of business and how they are interrelated; thus as you progress into the executive ranks, you understand the different functions of a company and how they work together. If you truly want to just take courses in one functional area, then a Master of Science program might be a better option as the coursework is narrowly focused in that one area. However, many employers feel the MBA has more value due to the core coursework because a general management foundation serves the individual well as he/she progresses up the corporate ranks. The best way to determine which degree program is best (MBA v. MS) is to research the companies and firms you wish to work at and uncover if they have a preference for MBAs or if they tend to hire from both types of graduate programs.

On a related note, core coursework does usually include strategy and business analysis--even if those words might not be in the title of the class. The reason a core curriculum is still around is because there is value in the students having the strong foundation across the disciplines and gaining an understanding of how they work together. As for whether or not Smith is the right place for you, that is a question only you can really answer based on what you seek from your MBA program. You need to determine if Smith meets your expectations in terms of curriculum, career opportunities, and culture.

Good luck,
Lisa