You can put "MBA" in your signature when it adds professional credibility, such as when applying for jobs, attracting clients, or speaking at events, but generally omit it in routine internal emails or if it seems to clutter your professional image, as it's often seen as common or less impactful than specific professional certifications like CFA or P.Eng, and can sometimes signal a less prestigious program, according to Reddit users and this LinkedIn article. The decision depends heavily on context, audience, and industry norms, with many suggesting it's better suited for resumes or specific professional contexts rather than everyday use, says Quora users and Resume.io.
Short answer: Generally no -- avoid putting MBA or other taught master's degrees (MA, MS, MSc, MEng, etc.) after your name in an email signature unless your industry or context specifically expects post-nominals. Use title lines instead.
When it comes to an email signature, some job seekers choose to add MBA behind their name. We would advise against this as it seems a little conceited. There are many MBA grads out there and only 5% might choose to do this. Sure, it is a great achievement, but there is far more to your application than your MBA.
Adding ``MBA'' after a name signals educational credential, professional positioning, and social signaling. Reasons people choose to use it cluster into credential display, practical utility, and identity/branding.
An MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. It's a graduate-level degree geared toward current and aspiring business professionals.
Putting you MBA achievement after your name on a business card might seem a little odd for some and for some even annoying. The main reason for this is that MBA is different from PhD or Doctor, Engineer, etc. Business administration does not require a license to practice, credentials or specific training.
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a specific type of master's degree, but it's distinct because it's a professional, general management degree for experienced professionals, whereas other master's degrees (like an MS in Finance or Marketing) are more specialized and often for earlier career stages, with MBAs generally leading to higher starting salaries and C-suite/leadership roles. So, while an MBA is a master's, it's often considered a higher-level, more prestigious qualification for leadership than a typical specialized master's.
MBA is an initialism, pronounced “em be ayy” (or something like that). It begins, then, with a vowel sound: write “an MBA.” On the other hand, write “a master of business administration degree.” (For definitions of initialism and other types of abbreviations, see CMOS 10.2.)
If you want to work exclusively in business management and administration, like as an executive, operations manager or consultant, an MBA may fulfill your educational needs. A CPA is likely the best choice if you only want to work as an accountant.
Typically, it is the most sought-after graduate business degree due to its developmental value and enhanced professional status. The MBA course structure typically covers accounting, finance, marketing and operations, as well as leadership and communication skills.
The obvious answer for where to list your MBA is in the Education section, and that's a good place to start — but that doesn't mean you should stop there. Mentioning your MBA in other areas (like your resume title and summary) can help up the impact without a lot of extra effort.
When adding your masters degree to your business card or signature, you can use either your full name or initials followed by your degree. For example: John Smith, Ph. D.
Post-nominal letters should be listed in the following order:
It's advised to only use MBA after your name in the heading of your resume if the position requires the degree. Otherwise, don't include it, as this is typically reserved for PhDs and can be frowned upon when others do it for lower-level degrees. Don't overdo it when including your MBA.
Select at most the top 2, or 3 relevant professional certifications (e.g. P.E., PMP, etc.) List capstone/terminal degrees (e.g. Ph. D., J.D., etc.) Typically, you don't list non-specialized education credentials, such as an associate, bachelor, or master degree.
Yes, you can say you are an “MBA candidate.” However, in the academic setting, you might sound misinformed. The term “candidate” is only used for Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) students who have completed their program's class studies and are now preparing their dissertation for delivery and defense.
Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of MBAs and the mindset that values credentials over capability. He believes too many companies are run by executives who focus on meetings, reports, and corporate jargon, instead of building great products or solving real problems.
Top 10 Highest-Paying MBA Specializations in 2026!
Some MBA programs do allow you to concentrate on accounting or taxation, exposing you to the technical accounting skills you will need to be a CPA. While the general MBA covers more business territory than a MAcc does, it lacks the in-depth financial skills that you'll need as a CPA.
When listing your credentials, you may choose whether to include periods in your abbreviations. For example, you could list a Master of Business Administration as an MBA or as an M.B.A. Whichever punctuation you decide to use, make sure you keep it consistent for each of the credentials you list.
Thus, the MBA is a degree aimed at experienced professionals who want to acquire a strong foundation in business. Although candidates with previous business studies are quite common, typically representing roughly a third of candidates at a top program, they are not the norm.
Keep your resume to one or two pages. Ensure that the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments you describe are clear and concise. Try to make sure that each bullet does not exceed three lines. Avoid using industry-specific language and acronyms.
An MBA may not be as prestigious as it once was, but that doesn't mean no one should pursue one. Studies still show that those with an MBA earn more than those with a bachelor's degree alone.
PGDM is a Diploma and is equivalent to MBA from any Indian University. Exams are conducted by affiliated University. PGDM institutions are authorized by AICTE to conduct the exams. Thorough State level Entrance Examinations.
However, the degree may be completed in a minimum 1.5 years by students with 16 years of relevant business education. Such students can earn an exemption of up to 30-36 credit hours to be decided by the Business Department of PIDE. Such MBA degree will be equivalent to MS/MPhil of 18 years education.