What does MBA mean after your name?

Answer 1

Putting "MBA" after your name on a business card is well justified if you work with different businesses. If businesses are your target market, shoot. As an AVP/Commercial Loan Officer, I deal with different businesses all day long. It assures them that the banker on the other side of the desk has the credentials to provide advise regarding items such as expiditing their cash conversion cycle, marketing strategies, expanding, and even competition (like a simple SWOT analysis). An MBA works well in other industries too (such as consulting). If you have other designations (CPA, CFE, CRC, CFA and etc.), the MBA compliments it well.

Answer 2

There is much controversy throughout the internet about whether or not it is proper to designate MBA after one's own name. In the past, only postgraduate or those with terminal degrees could justify the scores of letters after their name. PhD, MD, DO, DDS, and even JD (an non doctoral level law degree) were among the only professional designations that acknowledge such post name suffixes. Today, many professions recognize a myriad of certifications that they deem appropriate to hang letters after their name. In technology, one may have MCSE or the lesser MCP designations. Both of which signify some Microsoft certification and not any additional postgraduate education. The HR industry has many certifications which hang off the end of people's names including PHR (Professional in Human Resources) or CRP (Certified Recognition Professional). None of these are as prestigious as the PhD, MD, or yes even MBA. However certifications do help convey ones expertise in their field, while at the same time can show anyone's over-bloated ego when they have more letters in their suffix than in their full name combined.

So, is it wrong to use MBA or any of these other designations after your name? If it brings clarification to your industry of your level of expertise, then absolutely not. However, if your doing so just to over inflate your ego then you may want to leave it off. Example Susan Smith, MBA, CPA would likely be appropriate. However the Jon Smith, MBA, Fry Cook would be overkill. There are those who will always believe it to be inappropriate, however the current trends can not be denied even if it didn't happen 10, 20, or 30 years ago. In summary, use these designations with respect and care.

Answer 3

Depends on the context, but most times it would be these two:
Master of Business Administration.
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