A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree in business. How It Works An MBA typically involves the study of accounting, financial markets and instruments, corporate strategy, negotiation, business ethics, statistical analysis, marketing and management. Most full-time MBA programs take two years, though many executive MBA programs can take as little as nine months. MBA programs are also available online. Some business schools are very difficult to get into, and the starting salaries for graduates from those programs are typically higher than the starting salaries for graduates from other business schools.