The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company leads the firm and shapes the business' direction, according to his vision. While there are no "requirements" to become a CEO, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with some key courses helps you market and sell your vision as the CEO of a company.

Core Business Classes

Every CEO needs to know the ins and outs of running a business. Core business classes in topics such as Accounting, Marketing, Finance and Operations, are essential to any student that wants to become a CEO and run a successful company. In these courses, students study marketing research methods, consumer behaviors, business theories, final decision theories and operations strategies to build a foundation for their executive career path.

Management Classes

Successful CEOs need to effectively manage all aspects of their firms' operations. Courses such as Managerial Decision Making, Managerial Accounting, Network Structures of Effective Management and Competitive Strategy help students hone their skills in managing people, making management decisions and coming up with an effective management strategy.

Leadership Classes

Most MBA programs utilize the LEAD (Leadership Effectiveness And Development) program to shape students into the future leaders of companies. Regardless of the type of program utilized, leadership classes seek to develop the student's ability to work in groups and with peers, study effective leaders of the past and develop a leadership model for future business ventures.

Communications Classes

While most communications courses are not directly related to business degrees, effective communication is one of the most important skills a CEO can have. Courses that cover topics, such as communications, public speaking, journalism and business writing hone the student's understanding and mastery of the English language and develop the student's ability to communicate effectively through both verbal and written media. These skills contribute to the CEO's ability to speak in public, communicate with employees, investors and partners and effectively convey her strategic vision.

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