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Explore the key differences between a Master of Science in Project Management and an MBA with a Project Management emphasis, including curriculum focus, career paths and potential certification options to help guide your academic and professional goals.
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Approved and verified accurate by the director of academic operations of the Colangelo College of Business on March 3, 2025.
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.
The main difference between these two master's programs is the MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management typically offers a broader curriculum, covering various areas within business operations, including project management. Meanwhile, a Master of Science in Project Management is designed to focus on skill development specifically within project management. An MBA may be better suited to those who wish to examine how to develop top-level organizational strategy. In contrast, an MS may be ideal for those who wish to take a closer look at the implementation of organizational strategy via project management.
Project management is an important component of many industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for project management specialists is expected to be 7% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average.1 Individuals who work in project management or are considering this career may decide to head back to school to enhance their academic qualifications.
However, it can be difficult to choose the right degree program that aligns with your career goals. This guide delves into the specifics of your degree options and may help you choose between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a project management emphasis and a Master of Science (MS) in Project Management.
An MBA program is typically quite broad in scope, with a curriculum that covers wide-ranging areas in leadership and marketing, to more quantitative areas such as operations management, finance and accounting. You would still be taught broadly applicable business competencies. However, you can also expect to take courses that focus on skills that provide the traditional waterfall project management aligned with PMI and agile techniques. While project management is a focus, the priority lies in equipping graduates with a broad business-related skill set for virtually any industry.
What’s the best MBA for project management? An MBA program that offers a concentration or emphasis in project management may be an appropriate choice for aspiring project managers. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for project management specialists was $98,580 as of May 2023.2
In contrast to an MBA in project management, an MS in Project Management has a narrower focus intended to teach advanced skills and knowledge in this specific topic area. Whereas an MBA student will explore how a company works and makes operational decisions, a master’s in project management student will delve into the planning, execution and evaluation of projects. An MS in Project Management dives into the details of how best to implement those organizational strategies within a project context.
Both options could be a good choice for individuals interested in positioning themselves to potentially pursue career advancement with a focus on project management. While earning a master’s degree is not a requirement for this career pathway, some graduates may find it helpful. When choosing between a master’s in project management vs. MBA with a project management emphasis, keep your career goals top of mind.
If you are still having trouble choosing between these two degree options, there may be a third option available to you. Some business schools offer a Graduate Certificate of Completion in Project Management.
This type of program teaches the fundamentals of project management, as well as organizational development and the hands-on leadership skills that may prove helpful in various organizations. However, the curriculum is not as extensive as that of a master’s degree program. A graduate certificate may provide the opportunity to more closely examine key competencies in the field, but without requiring the full commitment of a degree program.
Regardless of whether you enroll in an MBA or MS program, it is important to choose your school wisely. You should look for a school that offers degree programs that feature a curriculum aligned with the standards of PMI®’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).
Curricula aligned with the PMBOK® can help prepare you to pursue PMI® certifications. (Professional certification is not the same as a graduate certificate program.) Individuals might pursue these certifications after graduating from an MS or MBA program.
Some of the PMI® certification options available include the following:
When you’re ready to advance your academic credentials, Grand Canyon University is here to help you turn your dreams into reality. GCU offers the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Project Management degree program and a Graduate Certificate of Completion in Project Management. This MBA emphasis offers curricula aligned with the competencies in the PMBOK® Guide and is designed to prepare graduates to pursue PMI® certification. Connect with a university counselor today by filling out the form on this page to take the next step.
