MBA vs. Master’s: What Are the Differences?
Start your GCU
journey today.
journey today.
Read time 6 minutes
Published on Aug 14, 2024
Read time 6 minutes
Published on Aug 14, 2024
We're here to help.
Speak with a University Counselor today.
Approved by the academic program manager of the Colangelo College of Business on July 17, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
After earning an undergraduate degree in a business management field, graduates may choose to enter the job marketplace or perhaps start their own companies. However, at some point, you may decide that to potentially further your career, you need to acquire additional qualifications and knowledge. Going back to school to earn a graduate degree can be a great way to explore new skills and expand your professional network.
Professionals in business management fields can choose between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a Master of Science (MS) degree. An MBA vs. master’s degree overlaps in many ways, but there are crucial differences that you should be aware of before you make your decision. Some schools offer both types of degrees in various business management specializations. Here’s a closer look at both options.
When choosing between an MBA or master’s, it’s helpful to know what all your options are. Before exploring Master of Science degrees, let’s take a look at other master’s degrees that may fit your career goals. For example, if your career path is leading you toward administrative opportunities in education, you might consider earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs or a Master of Education in Educational Administration.
Otherwise, you can look for a Master of Science degree that focuses on your specific specialization, such as the following:
Alternatively, you might consider a Master of Science in Leadership degree without a concentration area.
Before considering the differences between an MBA and master’s degree, it’s helpful to know the basic definitions of each. The MBA degree offers a broad survey of business competencies. It’s important to understand that the MBA is indeed a type of master’s degree. Other types of master’s degrees, such as the Master of Science, aren’t MBAs, but they are graduate-level degree programs.
The Master of Business Administration degree is a highly recognizable degree that teaches a solid framework of business and leadership competencies.
It is customary for an MBA program to focus on key areas such as the following:
Students can expect an MBA program to deliver a curriculum that is broad in scope, making this degree a good choice for individuals in a wide range of industries and organizations. However, some schools do offer specialization options for MBA students.
Some specializations include:
In a Master of Business Administration degree, students will typically take courses across multiple topic areas. These include accounting, finance, marketing and operations management. Students who choose an MBA degree with a specialization will also take courses pertaining to that specialization. For example, students earning an MBA with an Emphasis in Sports Business will examine broad topics like managerial finance, applied business statistics and economics, as well as specialized topics like sports business analytics and sports business revenue generation.
MBA students can expect to work through a curriculum that emphasizes online learning experiences for greater flexibility and convenience, which may allow MBA students to balance school, work and personal life.
Some MBA students may choose to focus on building professional networks through on-campus events along with online or on-campus evening courses. MBA students can make the most of their time in school by making new acquaintances — perhaps connecting with a mentor and building connections at companies they may one day work for or with.
Whether you decide on an MBA program or an MS degree — or both — you can find what you’re looking for at Grand Canyon University. Our private Christian university is pleased to offer a diverse selection of online MBA programs and MS degrees, including the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL), Master of Science in Health Care Administration (MHA) and Master of Business Administration degrees, with specializations available in accounting, cybersecurity, finance, leadership and many more.
When comparing an MBA vs. master’s in business, such as a Master of Science degree, you may wish to consider how much each program would cost you. The costs, of course, will depend largely on the school and specific program you choose.
What happens if you simply can’t choose between an MBA or master’s degree? For professionals who want the best of both worlds, some schools offer a dual degree. Students who earn a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Leadership (MBA/MSL) degree are taught to effect positive change in their chosen industries. Earning an MBA/MSL degree may set you apart from other job candidates and help you chase after your career goals.
A master’s degree is an excellent option for students who know exactly which area of business most interests them, whether it’s accounting, business analytics or leadership.
An online MS degree program is typically more focused on theory than an MBA degree program. However, students may still undertake hands-on learning experiences in an online environment. For example, students earning a Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) will complete a capstone project, which involves developing and executing a community- or organization-based project that showcases their leadership skills.
Typically, all of the courses in an MS degree are acutely focused on that particular area. For example, students earning an MSL will focus on the following topics:
Some of the specializations for this degree include:
