Degree Overview: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Acquisition
Majors Overview May 14, 2015Get information about Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in Acquisition and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, and job and wage outlook.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Programs in Acquisition
Few schools, if any, offer Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) programs in Acquisition; however, those who want to study this specialization can avail other master’s degree programs in acquisition. A combination of classroom lectures and hands-on experiences features coursework involving the exploration of practical methodologies and theories in organizational behavior, contract management and acquisition.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree. Some schools accept students without a bachelor’s degree in business provided they complete prerequisite coursework. Students seeking admittance to some programs may also need to have earned a minimum GPA in their undergraduate courses.
Coursework
The basis of acquisition is in managerial disciplines, with a primary focus on developing, contracting and procuring services and materials. Program coursework relates to regulatory requirements, statutory requirements, acquisition processes and the function of the organization.
Often, students connect regulatory or management concepts to business aspects in the field. The program may help increase students’ knowledge of purchasing systems, cost reimbursement, commercial exploitation, proposal evaluations, and procurement practices. Students gain information on contract disputes, contracting issues, policy issues, and legal aspects. Core coursework may include subject areas such as:
•Contract law
•Managerial accounting
•Financial analysis
•Cost analysis
•Operations management
•Contract negotiation
•Organizational behavior
•Project management
•Regulatory processes
•Purchasing strategy
Career Choices
With a master’s degree in acquisition, graduates can seek leadership and administrative positions in foreign organizations apart from military, private and public sectors of the field. They may choose from popular career options such as:
•Operations manager
•Project manager
•Contracting officer
•Purchasing officer
•Contract administrator
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a four percent job growth has been predicted for purchasing managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $60,550 (BLS).