MSM vs. MBA: What is the Best Master’s Degree for Managers?
Good managers strive to support their employees and improve business outcomes every day. Their contributions are pivotal to results at every level of an organization, which is reflected in the high demand for skilled managers across all industries. Overall employment in management occupations is expected to grow 8% between 2021 and 2031, resulting in almost 884,000 new jobs. In addition to jobs created from growth, about 1.1 million openings in management are posted each year to replace workers who retire or move on from their positions.
How do you become an in-demand management professional? There is no fast track to becoming a successful manager. Still, there are plenty of ways to improve your abilities to ensure you're ready to drive efficiency and profitability for your organization. For example, many managers pursue master's degrees to help themselves stand out from the competition and stay on top of important issues in management. One popular choice for those looking to earn a master's degree for managers is a Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree.
What is an MSM Degree?
In an MSM degree program, you will develop essential skills like critical thinking and strategic decision-making. You'll build approaches for managing individuals and teams and explore what it means to be an effective manager in modern organizations. You'll also work to cultivate your personal management style. MSM degrees are great for aspiring managers because they're hands-on degrees that allow you to grow your leadership skills in real time through focused instruction and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
The degree's focus on management training doesn't mean you won't get a solid foundation in general business. You'll gain broad business knowledge that will allow you to be an effective management candidate, qualified for high-level, vital positions such as operations manager, business development manager or human resources manager.
In an MSM degree program, you can expect to learn how to:
- Use managerial tools to evaluate performance.
- Make judgments that inform strategic decision-making.
- Evaluate problems or situations critically and strategically.
No matter where you are in your career, earning an MSM degree will help you gain an edge when vying for mid-and upper-management positions, as well as improve your performance in a current management role.
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Differences Between Common Management Master's Degrees
Of course, an MSM degree is not the only option for managers. There is a multitude of other degrees that can equip managers with the knowledge they need to lead effective teams. Another popular choice for managers is a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
When it comes to master's in management vs. MBA degrees, most differences relate to the scope of the degrees. MBAs focus on broad business topics and financial acumen, while MSM degrees focus on management specifically and provide options for students to go deeper into people and organizational management topics of their choosing. MBA programs usually feature a wide variety of business courses and allow students to choose concentration classes that go deeper into an area of business. No matter your MBA program, you'll likely take courses in marketing, finance, project management, human resources, operations and more.
In an MBA program, you can expect to learn how to:
- Make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Create business recommendations based on data.
- Express knowledge of accounting, human resources, finance, marketing, strategy, management and more.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to reach business goals.
It can be hard to compare MSM vs. MBA degrees because many outcomes overlap. Both degree options will help propel your management career. It's up to you to choose the management master's degree that fits your life and goals.
Comparing OHIO's Management Master's Degrees
Ohio University has many great online and on-campus options for managers pursuing their master's degrees. While each varies in duration, modality and purpose, all options prepare you to lead with top-notch business skills, helping your team succeed.
| Master of Science in Management (MSM) | Online MBA | Professional MBA | One-Year MBA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal candidate | Individuals with professional experience and a bachelor's degree who are interested in advancing their management careers with a flexible and customizable online program | Individuals looking for career advancement in the flexibility of an online environment and who have two-plus years of experience and a bachelor's degree | Individuals looking for career advancement in the flexibility of an online environment with organized in-person and scheduled components in Dublin, Ohio. Students with two-plus years of experience who graduated with their bachelor's degree | Recent graduates with 0-3 years of work experience and a bachelor's degree from any discipline who are looking for a full-time, immersive experience at our campus in Athens, Ohio |
| View program here> | View program here> | View program here> | View program here> |
Pursue your master's degree from OHIO and become part of a community that values communication and celebrates personal development. You'll have extensive opportunities to connect with faculty and peers. Each degree option offers many ways to tailor your program to meet your goals. Certificates are built into the online MSM curriculum, allowing you to create a customized program that's relevant to your career. Two of our MBA programs offer nine unique concentrations, including Executive Management.
Throughout your time with OHIO, you'll have access to career services including relevant virtual workshops. Working hand-in-hand with the Graduate Career Acceleration Team (GradCAT), you'll get free support from a dedicated team of three experts, including a personal career coach, a branding expert and a career concierge beginning in the last two semesters of your program.
With a management master's degree from OHIO, you'll enter the next phase of your career with graduate credentials and skills to advance into high-level leadership.
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