MBA vs Master’s in Management: What’s the difference?

If you plan to earn an advanced business degree, it’s important to choose the right path with your managerial experience in mind.

Both the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master’s in Management (MiM) include differing curricula, career paths and job options for graduates.

Like Boise State University’s Online Master of Business Administration, a typical MBA program focuses on managerial and leadership skills on a broad level, while a MiM usually concentrates on a specific area of business management, like marketing or finance.

One of the biggest differences in selecting a degree plan is your work experience. MBA degree seekers have several years under their belts, while potential MiM students have less real-world experience and are often coming straight from a bachelor’s degree program.

Why an MBA?

Another factor in choosing an MBA vs a Master’s in Management is what you hope to achieve with your advanced business degree.

Boise State’s Online MBA is designed for professionals with at least two years of management experience looking to climb the next rung on the corporate ladder. With the program, you will gain the skills needed to be an ethical and effective leader.

The curriculum includes seven emphasis offerings to customize your degree. It’s also one of few MBA programs to offer Design Thinking, a discipline that helps you understand and utilize creativity, innovation and customer understanding to lead successful businesses.

The emphasis areas you can select from include: business analytics, construction management, cyber operations, finance, healthcare leadership, management and marketing leadership. There are potential career outcomes for graduates based on each area.

No matter if you choose a general MBA or an MBA with an emphasis, you will learn creative processes and project management to transform your business, explore group dynamics and leadership techniques and gain foundational knowledge of core accounting, finance, marketing and legal issues.

Plus, you will have the flexibility to take time off from the program if necessary. Classes are offered several times per year, so you can pick back up where you left off.

Earning an MBA usually takes two years. The average salary for MBA degree holders is $125,000 per year.

Why a MiM?

When deciding on an MBA vs Master’s in Management, time and cost can also be a factor. If you are looking for a degree to provide a curriculum of advanced general management knowledge in less time and for less tuition, a MiM is an option.

MiM programs are designed for students preparing for entry-level positions on a management track. Often they recently earned a bachelor’s degree and are looking to earn an advanced degree to facilitate a career change.

By earning a MiM, you can transition to careers in corporate, government or nonprofit sectors. Early-career professionals can also gain a better understanding of how business organizations operate and their role in society.

Earning a MiM typically takes one year. The average salary for a MiM degree holder is $85,000.

Learn more about the Online MBA

Earning an Online Master of Business Administration from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.

Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.

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