MBA vs. MS? What’s the Difference Between the Degrees?
Last Updated April 5, 2023
MBA vs. MS? When choosing a postgraduate degree, you must decide whether to pursue a specialized master’s degree — a Master of Science in a specific field — or an MBA — a Master of Business Administration. The two degrees have a great deal in common, as the MBA is, after all, a master’s degree itself. Both leverage a combination of classroom experiences and the opportunity to apply this in real-world settings. Both can be offered in a variety of instructional formats.
The difference between an MBA and an MS degree has to do with focus and specialization. To further analyze the difference between MBA and MS programs, consider why you want an advanced degree.
Are you looking to sharpen existing skills and make yourself more desirable to a specific niche market? Or are you anxious to broaden your business talents and move outside a limited field into a wider range of options? Do you need broader and deeper business acumen or are you more focused on adding a particular deep skill set?
The answers to these questions will help determine which program is best for you.
The Master’s Degree Program
Specialty master’s programs focus on the details of handling a particular area of study, for instance, healthcare management, management, strategy, and leadership, or supply chain management.
Master’s programs are recommended for those who want specific knowledge of a niche or industry to give them a competitive edge. They are also beneficial to career-changers who already have the general knowledge of their field and need to sharpen their skills in a different direction. It may seem as though these types of students are opposites, but they are, in fact, basically the same: They want a thorough understanding of an industry or function.
A master’s program of any type usually requires a bachelor’s degree, although the degree doesn’t necessarily need to be in the same discipline. Experience in the field is sometimes a requirement, but not always. For instance, to obtain a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in the supply chain field. Master’s degree programs are designed to help professionals in the industry further their careers in the direction they have already begun – or to help professionals make a strong pivot from one career into another. Often, you’ll find that this more limited focus results in programs with fewer credit hour requirements.
The MBA Program
By contrast, an MBA covers all aspects of business administration. An MBA program offers students a broad overview of management, accounting, finance, marketing, human capital management, and general leadership skills needed in any organization or setting.
Students are encouraged or required to learn about business operations in a variety of real-world settings, and classwork depends more on case studies than on theory. The typical MBA student wants to know about everything business — and to be able to apply that knowledge to different types of businesses.
An MBA is recommended for those who want to be able to move within a business until they find the right fit, or to advance their ability to make an impact in their current organization – or their next one. An MBA degree helps students see the “big picture,” become skilled at team dynamics and leadership, and make both vertical and lateral moves within a company.
Difference Between MS and MBA Degrees
In practical terms, an MS degree is for anyone who knows where they want to go and what niche they want to specialize in. An MBA is better for someone who wants broader business knowledge, so they have flexibility to pivot across functions and industries. Here is a quick summary of the key differences between the two degrees:
Wise Words from Someone Who Was There
Michigan State University alum Jeff Day is a rising star in the business consulting field. Day obtained his MS in Management, Strategy & Leadership (MSL), and credits the program with helping him move forward in both his career and his fledgling consulting business. Before and after obtaining his degree, Day was CEO at Bluewater Tech and is now the CEO and owner of North of 10 Advisors.
In an interview, Day recalls once being approached by a student who asked him why he had chosen a master’s program over an MBA, and Day concisely summed up the difference:
As a CEO with years of practical experience, Day needed the redirection and specialization of a master’s degree. Let his advice guide you as well as it guided that prospective student.
The choice between an MBA and MS degree depends on the student and what they plan to do after they leave the program. The important thing to remember is that either degree could serve you well. You’ll be able to build upon the learning you obtain, whichever degree you choose to achieve.
