15 Best Courses after an MBA Degree

The best courses following a Master of Business Administration (MBA) are usually specialized financial certifications such as Financial Risk Management (FRM) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Apart from that, you can also pursue the latest technology courses like business analytics and data science. Practical certifications such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Project Management Professional (PMP) are also great options in this particular regard. The other high-demand options you have in this case are a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which can help you take up consulting and academic careers based on your preference.  

Specialized executive programs are also a good option for MBAs, as they help them further their senior-level management training and offer certifications in domains such as digital marketing. 

Regarding finance and risk, the best options for you as an MBA are CFA, certified management accountant (CMA), FRM, and certified public accountant (CPA). 

If you want to work in the domain of data and technology after completing your MBA, the best options for you would be postgraduate diplomas in computer applications (PGDCA) and CISA, apart from data science and business analytics. 

If you are looking to make it big in the world of management and operations, the best options for you would be a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, a Six Sigma certification, a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification, and the various executive education programs.  

This article will discuss the best courses after an MBA and also discuss the reasons why you should pursue further education after an MBA.

An Interesting Read: Courses after MBA Marketing to scale up your career

Why Pursue a Course After an MBA?

By pursuing upskilling courses after an MBA, you can gain in-demand skills, qualify for higher-level positions that offer you better pay, and stand out no matter how competitive the market is. These programs deepen your expertise in niche areas such as finance, data analytics, and marketing. These additional courses also ensure your knowledge is up-to-date with the latest industry trends, increase your earning potential, help you expand your professional network, and enable long-term career growth. 

The likes of data analytics courses after an MBA provide you with specialized knowledge and help you stay updated at all times. An MBA offers you a broad knowledge of business, but specialized courses provide you with deep expertise in areas such as finance, operations, marketing, and supply chain management. This makes you a specialist in particular domains. Industries these days are constantly evolving with new techniques and technologies. So, studying such extra courses after your MBA helps you stay updated with the latest trends, ensuring your skills are valuable and relevant. 

The executive programs post MBA help you advance your career by providing you with a competitive edge and making you good enough to land high-paying roles. The job market out there is immensely competitive, and having advanced qualifications or specialized certifications differentiates you from other MBA graduates. This also makes you a more employable candidate. Studying these courses can help you qualify for more senior-level positions like specialized consulting and management leadership roles. 

They also help you broaden your horizons and earn global recognition. An expanded network is one of the most significant benefits that you get from such programs. When you gain new certifications, you learn new skills that can open up doors to various career opportunities for you. It lets you work in the most lucrative industries, and this, in turn, broadens your professional horizons as well. 

Also Read: Courses after MBA Finance to enhance your prospects

15 Best Courses after an MBA Degree

Having an MBA degree equips you with a strong foundation in key areas such as business management, strategic thinking, and leadership. However, the job market is getting competitive these days, and so you must upskill even after you have earned an MBA. This way, you can gain specialized expertise that helps you stay ahead of the curve.   

1. CFA: CFA is one of the most respected names among the short-term certifications for MBA graduates in the domain of finance and investment management. If you are interested in domains such as equity research, corporate finance, and portfolio management, this program is the ideal option for you. 

2. CMA: The CMA certification is a highly suitable option for you if you are looking to work in domains such as accounting, financial planning, and strategic management. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) offers the program, and it focuses on critical areas like management accounting, performance management, and corporate finance. If you have already specialized in finance in your MBA, this will be the ideal option for you. 

3. Chartered Accountancy (CA): CA may be an immensely demanding program, but it provides you with in-depth expertise in areas such as auditing, accounting, and taxation. It can complement your MBA degree by offering you a commendable technical basis, thus helping you work in financial consulting, senior finance roles, and taxation.  

4. DBA: If you are looking to pursue academic or research-oriented careers, a DBA would be the next natural step for you. The doctoral qualification focuses on the latest business theories, leadership, and organizational practices, and this offers you both academic authority and credibility. 

5. PMP: If you specialized in project management or operations in your MBA, you can take up a PMP certification program to enhance your project leadership credibility even further. Having a globally recognized credential shows that you are an expert in efficient project management and can meet budgets and deadlines seamlessly. 

6. FRM: The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) offers the FRM certification program. If you are interested in risk management, this is a highly valuable course to take after completing your MBA. The program focuses on critical areas such as market risk, operational risk, credit risk, and investment management and prepares you for high-demand roles in domains such as insurance and banking. 

7. Digital Marketing Certifications: Businesses these days are going digital, and, as such, having a digital marketing certificate can complement your MBA degree excellently, mainly when you have specialized in marketing already. The likes of search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, search engine marketing (SEM), and analytics can empower you to lead strategies and build brands well in the digital age.

8. CISA: If you are interested in auditing and information technology (IT) you can take up the CISA certification program, as it makes you an expert in areas such as information systems, governance, auditing, and security. This is a highly valuable certification in industries that consider data compliance and security to be of paramount importance. 

9. Six Sigma Certifications: Six Sigma courses like Black Belt and Green Belt can be valuable for you when you are looking to excel in areas such as process improvement and quality management. These certifications can teach you the methodologies that you must master to reduce errors in operations and improve operational efficiency. 

10. Human Resource (HR) Management Certifications:  If you have specialized in HR in your MBA, you can enhance your credentials further with certifications such as Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Senior Professional or Professional in Human Resources (SPHR/PHR). They make you more knowledgeable in areas such as talent management, labor laws, and organizational strategy.  

11. Postgraduate Diplomas in Data Science: Data science is transforming industries, and so having a postgraduate diploma in this discipline can help you gain a competitive edge in the market. The principal areas of these programs are machine learning, predictive modeling, and big data analytics – they also equip you well to make sound data-driven decisions. 

12. Executive Program in Business Analytics: If you are looking to learn how to fuse data analytics with your managerial skills after finishing your MBA, you can take up business analytics courses – they would be ideal for you. In these programs, you learn the ways to apply analytical tools to make better decisions, which makes them the perfect additions after completing your MBA. 

13. Entrepreneurship development programs: If you want to start your business, you should study entrepreneurship development programs – they would be immensely beneficial for you. These programs emphasize the likes of business planning, innovation, funding strategies, and scaling operations, thus helping you launch a startup and sustain and grow it over time.   

14. Diplomas in Foreign Languages: Global corporations are always looking for professionals who are capable of bridging linguistic and other cultural barriers. The most prominent options in this case are languages such as Mandarin, German, and Spanish. 

15. Certification in Supply Chain Management (CSCP): American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) offers the program, which is considered the best choice for those who have specialized in logistics and operations in their MBA. 

So, in case you are wondering what I can do after an MBA, these are your most prominent options.

Also Read: 10 best career options for you after an online MBA

Conclusion

The online MBA program at Manipal Academy of Higher Education prepares you well for further education. The program, also available on Online Manipal, offers you a prestigious certification from one of the leading universities of India – it is a globally recognized university and also one of the highest ranked in the country. It can fast-track your career advancement significantly and offer you access to a strong alum network where you get valuable professional connections. The program also offers other advantages, such as flexible online learning and industry-relevant specializations like healthcare management and marketing. Here, you can learn excellent career-focused skills such as leadership, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving.     

Check This Out: Government jobs for MBA graduates

FAQs

1. Which course is best to pursue after completing an MBA?

The answer to this question depends primarily on your career goals and your MBA specialization. 

2. Is CFA better than MBA for a career in finance?

Neither of these two programs is better than the other for a career in finance.

3. Can I do a PhD or DBA after my MBA?

Yes, you can always pursue a DBA or a doctor of philosophy (PhD) program after completing your MBA.

4. Which short-term courses add the most value after an MBA?

The best short-term courses after an MBA in terms of value are data analytics, FRM, digital marketing, PMP, and CISA.

5. Is a PMP certification useful after an MBA in operations? 

Yes, getting a PMP certification after completing an MBA in operations is one of the best steps that you can take.

6. What are the best international certifications after an MBA?

This depends on the domain you want to work in. For example, if you are going to work in finance, you should pursue an FRM or a CFA.

7. Does a digital marketing course help after an MBA in marketing?

Yes, a digital marketing course after an MBA in marketing can significantly enhance your career prospects by equipping you with specialized and in-demand skills.