The Growing Specialized Business Degree

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - About twenty years ago the Simon graduate school of business at the University of Rochester began offering specialized master's degrees and now there are more students in those programs than in the MBA.

Latest figures show that there are more than 52,000 students in specialized grad programs across the country.

Medical management, data analytics, business analytics, taxation, risk management, global finance and real estate development are among the offerings. Most students enroll looking for better salaries with that pedigree.

The discipline with the highest draw, according to The Wall Street Journal is accounting, since more than 40 states now require certified public accountants, CPA's, to have 150 credit hours before sitting for their exam.

Business schools like the programs because they've been producing revenue; but if students don't have work experience, they may not fare better than those with undergraduate business degrees.