| College | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
| Georgetown University | Washington | D.C. |
| George Washington University | Washington | D.C. |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore | Maryland |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | Virginia |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee | Wisconsin |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester | New Hampshire |
| University of Colorado Denver | Denver | Colorado |
What do Mitt Romney, Michael Bloomberg, and George W. Bush have in common? Each of these famous figures holds an MBA from Harvard and all have held high public office. Mitt Romney went on to become the 70th governor of Massachusetts, Michael Bloomberg became New York's 108th mayor, and we all know where George W. Bush ended up. All three figures are also wildly successful businessmen, with net worth’s estimated at $53.6 billion (Bloomberg), $250 million (Romney), and $35 million (GW).
In 2012, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that three top business schools alone had produced 21 representatives, seven senators, and the governors of Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. And yes—most of these individuals also had their own businesses or held high positions at major corporations and firms. William Hague, Hank Paulson and Donald Evans, are just a few other examples of MBAs in government and the population has continued to increase in both the U.S. and overseas. In India and Europe, for example, you will find so many MBAs working in politics, you’ll lose count.
Some news sources say that the need for professionalism in government has created an increased demand for MBA-holding politicians, while others say politicians need a better understanding of business. Still, some sources say that its today’s business leaders that need a better understanding of politics in a business world that has become increasingly complex. INSEAD MBA program literature sums up the need by stating:
“As every issue of the Financial Times illustrates, politics is a major force in shaping businesses worldwide. As you progress in your business career towards higher-level management, your ability to assess and handle the political environment will become an increasingly significant skill.”
Leading Business Schools for Aspiring Politics and Government MBAs
Thanks to the demand across all sectors, finding an MBA program that combines business and politics is easy. This is especially true if you have your sights set on a leading business school such as:
- Carey Business School and Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), MBA/MA in Government
- Graduate School of Management at Marquette University, MBA/MA in Political Science
- GW School of Business at George Washington University, MBA/MS in Government Contracts (MSGC)
- McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Master of Public Policy (MPP)/MBA (MPP/MBA); MPP/International Organizations MBA
- School of Business at Liberty University, MBA Public Administration
- School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University, MBA Public Administration
- Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, MBA Public Policy and Managament
- University of Colorado Denver Business School, MBA/MA in Political Science
Students who are accepted into a program such as Johns Hopkins’ MBA/MA in Government can expect a comprehensive curriculum consisting of several required government courses, a number of government electives, and required MBA courses. The following is a sample curriculum from JHU Carey. Curriculums will vary by school and program.
Required Government Courses
- Proseminar: Essentials of Public and Private Management
- Government and Politics in the U.S.
Government Electives
- Congressional Policy Making
- Executive Politics and Policymaking
- Government and the Global Economy
- Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
- Law of Public Institutions
- Negotiating as Leadership Skill
- Public Entrepreneurship
- Research and Thesis I, II and III
- State Politics and Policymaking
- The Budgetary Process
Required MBA Courses
- Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Business Communication
- Business Law
- Business Leadership and Human Value
- Corporate Finance
- Decision Models
- Economics for Decision Making
- Information Systems
- Investments
- Leadership in Organizations
- Marketing Management
- Negotiations
- Operations Management
- Statistical Analysis
- The Firm & the Macroeconomy
MBA students can also expect to complete at least one internship and global experiences are often required.
Employment and Salary Outlook for Politics and Government MBAs
Graduates of Politics and Government MBA programs can expect plenty of employment opportunities and competitive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "political scientists will continue to be needed in government to assess the impact of government policies, such as the efficiencies of public services, effects of budget changes, and advantages of proposed improvements. Political organizations, lobbying firms, and labor unions rely on the knowledge of political scientists to manage complicated legal and regulatory issues and policies. Political scientists will be needed at research and policy institutes to focus specifically on politics and political theory. Organizations that research or advocate for specific causes, such as immigration policy, healthcare, or the environment, also need political scientists to analyze policies relating to their field."
Though individual salaries vary by everything from office or position to geographic location, mid- to high-level offices typically pay six figures (highs and lows vary). Other organizations and companies typically pay no less than $100K to start.
To give you an idea of what an MBA in Politics and Government (or similar area) is worth, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for political scientists is $115,110. Political scientists working in Federal Government average $123,230 annually, while those in Professional, Scientific, and Technical industries average $118,320 annually. High performers can earn $161,890 or more annually.
If business and politics sounds like a career combination you would like to pursue, it's time to begin your search for a top degree program. Use our interactive map to find information on schools and colleges offering Online MBA programs in your state and across the U.S.
Sources
"Master Programmes - MBA." INSEAD - The Business School for the World. INSEAD Institut Privé D'enseignement Supérieur, 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 02 Sept. 2017.
"MBA/MA in Government." Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Johns Hopkins University, 2017. Web. 02 Sept. 2017.
"MBAs in Government." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg L.P., 24 Dec. 2012. Web. 02 Sept. 2017.
"Political Scientists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 Apr. 2018. Web. 09 Nov. 2018.
"Stanford MBA Personalized Curriculum." Stanford Graduate School of Business. Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2017. Web. 02 Sept. 2017.
