A business manager with solid experience and education in economics can consult on issues like international business and globalization, project management, finance, market research, consumer behavior, and more. If you already have a background in business and would like to further your career, change your job’s direction or take on more responsibility within your company, an online MBA in Economics can afford you many new possibilities. Online programs allow students more flexibility and the opportunity to complete their degree in much less time than a campus-based program. An MBA in Economics will also make you more eligible for a management position and could make you more of a player in your company’s finance, marketing and/or global strategies.

Within your MBA in Economics program, you may be allowed to choose a specialty, like labor economics, urban economics, international economics, or economic analysis. Besides the more focused classes you’ll take according to your specialty, MBA Economics programs also require you to take math classes, especially calculus, economics theory classes, and some kind of international business or global economics course. If you are earning your MBA in order to propel your corporate business career, your program will most likely focus on the practical application of economic principles and theories. Though your particular MBA program will depend on your schedule and the school you choose to enroll in, most online programs are accelerated, meaning that you will be able to earn your degree more quickly than you might think.

There are many different career opportunities for graduates of an online MBA in Economics program. Some may choose to continue their work with the same company they started with, but will be more eligible for promotion and increased responsibility. Others may want to pursue a career in consulting for different corporations, small businesses or even government entities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business consultants typically earned around $68,000 in May of 2006, though they could earn more if they worked for the federal government. Financial managers earned around $90,000 in May of 2006, and their job outlook is expected to rise over the next several years. A master’s degree in economics is a versatile degree and can be applied to many different specialties within business.