Degree Overview: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Degree in Customer Relationship
Majors Overview May 15, 2015Get information about Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in Customer Relationship and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Programs in Customer Relationship
Few schools, if any, offer a degree program with a specific focus on customer relationships. However, coursework in an MBA program with a concentration in marketing, professional sales, or a related discipline is usually oriented toward training students in effective communication and marketing to consumers. Students enrolled in these 2-year programs learn strategies to identify and meet the needs of customers. Internship opportunities are included in some programs, aimed at providing students with real-world business experience. Online or on-campus formats are available at some schools. Incoming students may also avail full-time and part-time attendance options.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree, and meet the minimum GPA requirement for their upper-level coursework. Applicants to some schools may be required to meet business experience or education requirements. At other schools, students with diverse academic backgrounds may be able to gain admittance. Students who have not taken statistics or mathematics courses during their undergraduate education may have to complete prerequisite courses in these areas before they can begin core coursework.
Coursework
These programs are typically devised to teach research and marketing techniques, including data analysis, information management, data mining, and market segmentation and targeting. These programs can also impart solid management and business training devised to promote leadership skills leading to effective problem-solving, decision-making and financial acumen. They may opt for degree plans such as:
•Accounting
•Information systems
•Customer relationship management
•Sales management
•International business
•Strategic management
•Business ethics and law
•Market research and analysis
Career Choices
Program graduates may seek management and leadership positions in areas of business with a primary focus on ways of presenting services and products to the customer. They may choose from popular career options such as:
•Sales and marketing vice president
•Consumer communications director
•Advertising account executive
•Marketing director
•Promotions manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of twelve percent has been predicted for advertising, promotions and marketing managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the same period, sales managers are expected to see eight percent growth. In May 2012, marketing managers brought in an average annual wage of $115,750, while sales managers earned $105,260 on average per annum.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may opt for continued education by earning a Ph.D. that would allow them to seek careers in research or academia. Schools offer Ph.D. programs in Marketing or Business Administration. Managers in numerous business fields can seek further education by attending corporate training and seminars aimed at strengthening their skills and knowledge. Some companies sponsor education opportunities and training areas for top executives including managers, often via professional organizations or universities.