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Key Takeaways

• Choosing an MBA concentration transforms a general degree into a specialized asset by focusing 3-5 elective courses on a specific field like Finance or Marketing.
• Concentrations are designed to meet the technical and innovative demands of the Silicon Valley workforce.
• Leavey allows students to dual-concentrate—pairing areas like Business Sustainability with other functions—to broaden their expertise.

Deciding to pursue an MBA is a significant milestone in your professional journey. It’s an investment in your leadership potential and a commitment to mastering the complexities of the modern marketplace. However, once you’ve decided to enroll, you face another pivotal decision: Should you pursue a general degree or choose an MBA concentration?

At the Leavey School of Business, we believe that an MBA should be as unique as the person earning it. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we see firsthand how specialized expertise—combined with a broad leadership foundation—can accelerate a career in the world’s most competitive industries. Whether you’re looking to pivot industries or climb the corporate ladder, selecting the right MBA focus can be the differentiator that sets you apart.

What is an MBA Concentration?

An MBA concentration is a curated track of elective courses that allows you to dive deep into a specific functional area of business. While the core MBA curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in accounting, economics, marketing, and operations, a concentration allows you to tailor your remaining credits toward a specific expertise.

At many institutions, this typically involves using your elective slots—usually three to five courses—to focus on a particular field. For Leavey’s Evening and Online MBA candidates, these specializations aren't just academic designations; they’re pathways to mastering the specific "pain points" and opportunities found within Silicon Valley’s ecosystem.

Choosing a Concentration to Fit Your Goals

The "best" concentration doesn't exist in a vacuum. The value of an MBA concentration is entirely dependent on your individual career trajectory. Before you select your path, you must ask yourself: What’s my primary career goal after graduation?

At Leavey, we have designed our top MBA specializations to align with the demands of the global workforce. Here’s how to match your ambitions with the right academic focus.

Start or Grow a Business

If you’re driven by the "founder mentality" or want to lead innovation within a startup environment, the Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation concentration is your ideal fit.

Silicon Valley was built by entrepreneurs, and this concentration places you directly in that lineage. You’ll learn how to evaluate new business opportunities, secure funding, and scale an organization from the ground up. At Leavey, we also recognize that entrepreneurs often need a "T-shaped" skill set—deep expertise in one area and a broad understanding of others. Because of this, you can pair multiple concentrations if you want to dive into a specific functional area, like Finance, while still mastering the art of the start.

Advance in a Corporate Leadership Role

For those aiming for senior management in established organizations, the Leading Innovative Organizations concentration is designed for you.

Leadership in the 21st century requires more than just authority; it requires an understanding of human capital and organizational dynamics. This track focuses on:

• Organizational Behavior: Understanding how individuals and groups interact within a firm. 
• Organizational Theory: Learning how to design structures that foster innovation. 
• Leadership Development: Refining your personal management style to inspire and lead diverse teams.

Move into an Analytics-Driven Role

In today's economy, data is everything. If you enjoy uncovering patterns and using evidence to drive strategy, the Data Science and Business Analytics concentration will give you the technical edge you need.

This is more than just "crunching numbers." You’ll develop critical thinking skills and implement data science paradigms that are standard in the tech industry.  You’ll gain expertise in:

• Statistics and econometrics. 
• Calculus and optimization for business modeling.
• Software paradigms that underlie modern corporate analysis.

Specializing in a Specific Business Function

Perhaps you already know exactly which department you want to lead. If so, a functional specialization can help you become a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

Finance or investing

The world of finance is moving faster than ever, driven by the rise of FinTech. Leavey’s Finance concentration goes beyond traditional corporate finance to teach you investment knowledge and the technological shifts currently disrupting the industry.

Marketing or brand strategy

Marketing is no longer just about "the big idea"—it’s about execution across digital and physical landscapes. Our Marketing concentration prepares you to apply evolving marketing frameworks to both high-tech and non-high-tech environments, ensuring you can lead a brand through any market shift.

Business analytics or data science

Understand and acquire technical expertise in various quantitative fields such as statistics, econometrics, calculus, optimization, and software paradigms that underlie various analyses undertaken by corporations with Leavey's Data Science and Business Analytics concentration.

Sustainability or corporate governance

Modern business leaders must balance profitable growth with the common good. Leavey’s new concentration in Business Sustainability addresses this head-on.

This track focuses on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the ethical considerations of modern business. You’ll explore how to build organizations that aren’t only financially successful but also environmentally and socially responsible—a core tenet of our Jesuit tradition of educating ethical leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a concentration differ from a general MBA?

A general MBA provides a broad, comprehensive overview of business leadership, which is excellent for those who want maximum flexibility. However, a concentration allows for a deeper dive into a specific sector, often making you more marketable for specialized roles that require immediate, high-level expertise.

How many courses are needed for a concentration?

While this varies by institution, it usually involves using your elective slots—typically three to five courses—to focus on your chosen area.  This ensures you don't have to take "extra" credits beyond the standard degree requirements to gain a specialization.

Can I have more than one concentration?

Yes. Some schools, including ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, offer the option to dual-concentrate. At the Leavey School of Business, certain concentrations—like Business Sustainability—are specifically designed to make dual-concentration easier, allowing you to pair a functional skill with a values-driven focus.