Can You Get an MBA Without a Business Degree?

Not only can you get an MBA without a business degree, but many programs actively look for diverse candidates when filling their incoming classes. Whether you're an engineer looking to move into management or a history teacher hoping to change careers, MBA programs value individuals with unique education profiles and professional work histories.

Read on to learn more about MBA academic requirements and how learners with non-business backgrounds can succeed in these programs.

Can You Get an MBA With Any Degree?

Yes, you can get an MBA with any degree. MBA programs actively welcome students from across the academic spectrum.¹ In fact, it's common for individuals with non-business degrees to get an MBA in order to move into management or to pivot into a different career field. According to a recent study, more than half of all MBA students come from non-business undergraduate backgrounds.²

In many cases, having a non-business background is a strength for those entering MBA programs. Marrying a technical skillset in engineering or computer science with the soft competencies you learn in an MBA program can set you up for success as a manager, director, or vice president in your discipline. Liberal arts graduates can combine their pre-existing communication and critical thinking expertise with the business acumen picked up from an MBA program.³

Admissions committees for many major MBA programs recognize that these diverse experiences help enrich classroom discussions, peer learning, and networking opportunities.⁴

Understanding MBA Programs and Their Requirements

MBA programs offer a comprehensive education in common areas of business:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• Leadership
• Strategy
• Entrepreneurship

Unlike more specialized degrees, an MBA is designed to prepare learners for management roles across industries and organizational types. The curriculum tends to emphasize practical application over theoretical knowledge.⁵

MBA programs typically have the following admissions requirements:⁶

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Several years of work experience
• A competitive GMAT or GRE score

Keep in mind that having an undergraduate degree is the only inflexible requirement you'll find across the board. Some less competitive schools will accept students with a GPA below 3.0 or with little or no professional work experience. Many programs have moved away from requiring a standardized test score.⁷

Prerequisites for MBA Programs

If you don't have a business background, you may need to complete one or more MBA prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in your first semester of business school. These are common prerequisites for MBA programs:⁸

• Statistics courses covering probability
• Business analytics
• Quantitative methods 
• Accounting fundamentals
• Macro- and microeconomics

Taking these courses will give you the foundational knowledge you need to succeed in a typical MBA curriculum. 

Advantages of Pursuing an MBA Without a Business Degree

As a non-business major, you stand to gain several distinct advantages when pursuing an MBA:⁹

• Bridge knowledge gaps: You'll combine your specialized technical expertise with comprehensive business fundamentals in finance, marketing, and strategic management, creating a powerful skill set that employers value
• Access new career opportunities: Companies actively seek graduates who bring diverse perspectives combined with business acumen, opening doors to roles in management consulting, project management, and executive leadership
• Enhance problem-solving abilities: MBA programs develop critical thinking and analytical skills that complement your existing expertise, enabling you to approach complex business challenges with a strategic mindset
• Expand professional networks: You'll connect with peers from varied backgrounds, creating a rich environment for networking that spans multiple industries and provides access to diverse resources and opportunities
• Increase leadership capabilities: Through coursework and group projects, you'll develop essential management skills for leading teams, making strategic decisions, and driving organizational change

Types of MBA Programs for Non-Business Graduates

As a prospective MBA student, you can choose from several program formats, including several custom-built for working individuals and students with diverse backgrounds:

• Online MBA programs: Offering maximum flexibility for those unable to attend graduate school on campus, online MBA programs provide the same education and standards as their on-ground counterparts, with asynchronous learning modules that are ideal for working professionals
• Two-year, full-time programs: These offer intensive education and immersive experiences; ideal for those who prefer a classroom setting and want a comprehensive business education
• Part-time programs: Designed for working professionals, these programs offer students the flexibility to keep up with their professional and personal commitments while in graduate school
• Executive programs: These programs are designed for mid-career professionals with significant management experience; typically, they last for a year and focus on building strategic thinking and advanced leadership skills

Preparing for an MBA Without a Business Background

You can stand out as a non-business major by taking a strategic approach to building the skills and experiences that top business schools look for. Consider gaining relevant business experience through cross-functional projects and by volunteering for leadership roles. You can also take business courses or professional development programs in areas such as financial analysis or project management.

Taking an active approach to ongoing education through more informal means, such as reading industry publications and following thought leaders in your career field, can help build a solid knowledge base for future career endeavors. Finally, consider pursuing a professional certificate relevant to your industry and career goals, such as a project management certificate if you're an engineer, a healthcare administration certificate if you're a nurse, or an SEO certification if you're in marketing.

Redefine Your Career Trajectory

The Online MBA program at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) recognizes that diverse backgrounds contribute to better classroom experiences and more innovative solutions to complex challenges. Our comprehensive curriculum will help you build essential skills for real-world business functions through a Responsible Business lens, grounded in CSUMB’s Quintuple Bottom Line of profit, people, planet, ethics, and equity. Classes are geared to integrate and effectively utilize the unique perspectives brought by non-business majors.

If you're an early or mid-career professional, CSUMB's Online MBA program can help you move into a managerial position at your current place of work or with a new employer. You will expand your network and gain practical, hands-on skills that employers prize.

Whether you want to advance within your current industry or pivot into a new role entirely, obtaining an MBA from CSUMB will instill the expertise you need to get your desired promotion or industry pivot. Get in touch with an admissions outreach advisor today and learn more about how CSUMB can transform your life and career.