Historically, the MBA degree was a necessity in order to move up the corporate ladder.  Young, aspiring professionals would spend a few years after college working hard to earn promotions and build their resumes, and would then reemerge back onto campus to gain the skills needed to start again at the management level.  Regardless of what industry a person worked in before earning an MBA, there was a good chance they could get a job in a different industry, because the management skills they learned while getting their MBAs would transfer to most industries in the corporate world.  While it is very true that someone with intelligence and management training can learn a lot after being hired, the competition for jobs among MBA students has tightened in this slower economy.  MBA candidates with skills specific to certain industries have a distinct advantage to those who are not necessarily familiar with an industry but have MBAs from reputable schools.

            Also, those that choose to earn an MBA while still maintaining their full-time job often want to specialize in a certain industry when going back to school.  They have passed the career exploratory phase, know what they are interested in, and want to delve deeper into that field to increase their industry knowledge.  One industry where this is particularly common is the healthcare industry.  Many health care professionals looking accelerate their careers determine they need an MBA to move to the next level.  They have often put in many years at a specific healthcare facility, and want to keep their seniority at the facility while learning how to become a healthcare administrator.  This increased demand in the healthcare field has spawned a number of Online MBA programs focused on Health Administration.  Now, those in the field can get their class work done on their own time, not interfering with any job or family responsibilities.