General vs Specialised MBA: Scope & Career Options

General MBA and Specialized MBA are the two terms that students come across while researching MBA courses in India. Many students are often confused about which type of MBA would be better for them. MBA is an expensive course and to ensure that time and resources are not wasted, a student must ensure that they are choosing the correct course that matches their professional goals and also choose the correct MBA college.

MBA is a popular choice of postgraduate course in India. Many students opt for an MBA degree right after their graduation while others go for an MBA after gaining some work experience. However, what is common in both cases is that both of these aspirants are looking for a better salary and a better growth opportunity. In this article, we provide the difference between General MBA and Specialized MBA so that students get to know the essential information about each type of MBA course as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Also Read: Best MBA Specializations in India for 2023

What is General MBA?

A general MBA (also known as MBA General Management or GM) is the type of MBA course that broadly explores the subject of management. Students in a general MBA course learn the essential skills in management. Skills such as critical thinking, business management, leadership, etc. are developed in this course.

The course curriculum of the General MBA is divided such that in the first year, students focus on the overall aspects of management, and in the second year, students are asked to choose their elective subjects. Choosing electives does provide a certain level of specialization to the MBA course but the overall nature of the course cannot be said to be single-focused.

Advantages of General MBA

• Provides broad knowledge of key management domains, which can work across industries and job profiles.

• Has a wide scope and provides more career opportunities as compared to specialized MBA courses.

• The option to choose electives makes the course flexible according to a student's requirements.

Disadvantages of General MBA

• It is the more traditional MBA degree and cannot be considered the best fit for every niche.

• Since the value of a general MBA degree is not because of its course curriculum, it becomes necessary to pursue it from a top-level management college to add value.

What is Specialized MBA?

Specialized MBA is a course that has a specialization attached such as Finance, International Business, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Operations, etc. Specialized MBA courses are designed to cater to the requirements of a specific industry or a specific section of an organization.

In a specialized MBA course, students do learn the general aspects of management but the curriculum is designed to train them in only a specific area. Therefore, students who pursue Specialized MBA are considered to be experts in their respective fields.

The MBA specializations in these courses are mostly based on industry requirements. Specialized MBA courses allow colleges to come up with unique programmes that benefit a certain niche of the industry such as Rural Management, Family Business Management, Hospital Management, etc. While these courses cannot be said to be for everyone, they are just perfect for many candidates.

Advantages of Specialized MBA

• Considered to be the best fit for specific niches. Candidates with a Specialized MBA will be preferred over candidates with General MBA for many areas of business.

• Usually take less time to complete. These courses can be of 1 year or 18 months in duration.

• Excellent options for students who have decided on their career pathway or are passionate about a specific field.

Disadvantages of Specialized MBA

• Limit candidates to a specific niche. For a person with a specialized MBA, it may be difficult to change industries or switch domains in the future.

• Since they may have specific requirements in work experience or academics, they are generally more difficult to get admission.

General vs Specialized MBA: Which is Better for You?

As we have seen, both the General MBA and Specialized MBA offer several advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right course depends on the career goals and aspirations of a student. Using the information given below, you will be able to decide whether a General MBA or Specialized MBA is the better option for you.

If you have any doubts, ask our experts on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone. For help with admissions to MBA colleges in India, fill out our Common Application Form (CAF) or call our toll-free student helpline number 1800-572-9877.

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