In today’s competitive business landscape, choosing the right graduate degree can be a game-changer for your career. Whether you’re planning to step up as a leader or pivot into management, you’re likely comparing two popular options: the master’s in management and the master of business administration (MBA).
Both paths cover essential business fundamentals — like finance, strategy, operations, and leadership — but they differ in length, cost, format, and who they’re designed for. Here’s how to choose the best fit for you.
We believe we offer one of the best continuing education management programs in the country — designed for you, the working professional.
Director Business and Management Programs
Harvard Extension School
Key Differences at a Glance
While both the MBA and the master’s in management cover foundational business topics, they differ in structure, cost, and accessibility.
| Feature | MBA | Master’s in Management |
|---|---|---|
| Program Length | 20 courses | 12 courses |
| Typical Cost | ~$62,000 | ~$40,000 |
| Format | Part-time, online or evening courses | Part-time, online, or evening courses |
| Student Profile | Typically 2 to 3 years of work experience | Typically 7 to 10 years of professional experience |
| Flexibility | Limited part-time or online options | High flexibility with course format, pace, and schedule |
| Curriculum | Covers broad business disciplines; often includes immersive experiences and capstones | Covers core MBA topics; taught by industry practitioners with real-time insights from the field; designed for immediate workplace application |
Understanding the MBA and the Master’s in Management
Both an MBA and a master’s in management will prepare you to advance your career in the business world. Both degrees offer flexibility, practical knowledge, and opportunities to build your leadership skills.
While closely related, these two graduate programs can lead to different career paths and offer unique academic experiences.
What is an MBA?
An MBA is designed to prepare professionals for management or leadership roles in the corporate world.
According to MBA.com, the MBA is a general business degree that provides broad knowledge in:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Operations
- Marketing
- Strategy
You’ll also build essential soft skills for leading teams and making high-level business decisions. Other business-focused master’s programs, like Industrial-Organizational Psychology, may cover some of the same foundational business topics, but focus more on applying psychological principles to improve workplace culture and employee well-being. (See MBA vs. Industrial-Organizational Psychology for more information.)
While an MBA doesn’t guarantee an executive title, adding this credential to your resume can accelerate your career trajectory toward senior and C-suite roles.
An MBA provides broad career flexibility, with graduates leading in industries ranging from finance and technology to consulting and healthcare. Many MBA holders advance into executive and C-suite roles or use their strategic skills to launch and grow their own companies. Many MBA programs also emphasize entrepreneurship. If you’re interested in starting your own business or leading a startup, an MBA can be a strong foundation.
What is a Master’s in Management?
A master’s in management is a graduate business degree focused on developing essential leadership and organizational skills for the modern workplace.
Many companies value managers with this credential because they can effectively lead teams, oversee projects, and ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently.
A graduate degree in management can prepare you for a wide variety of career paths in nearly every industry. Some of the most common paths include:
- Project management: plan, coordinate, and lead projects; oversee budgets and timelines; ensure deliverables meet quality standards.
- Operations management: analyze workflows and processes to improve efficiency; manage supply chains; implement cost-saving strategies.
- Business development: identify new market opportunities; build partnerships; create strategies to expand business reach.
- Team and department leadership: supervise staff; motivate teams; handle performance evaluations and conflict resolution.
- Nonprofit management: direct programs; manage fundraising and outreach; ensure organizational goals are met effectively.
- Entrepreneurship: launch and run your own business; manage all aspects of operations, marketing, and growth.
A master’s in management offers strong career flexibility, with graduates working across industries from tech and healthcare to government and education. Many also grow into senior roles over time or start their own ventures as independent consultants or business owners.
The Harvard Extension School’s Management Master’s Degree
At Harvard Extension School, the master’s in management program is built around a strong foundation of core business competencies. It’s paired with the flexibility to specialize through stackable graduate certificates. Courses are taught by academics and industry practitioners who bring current, real-world challenges into the classroom.
As program director Laura Wilcox explains, students are encouraged to apply what they learn immediately, “How do we instantly go from the classroom into the workplace … and apply it?”
Stackable certificates also allow students to signal a specific skill set or area of expertise to employers as they advance in their careers.
Our students are here not just to check a box, but to take what they learn today and apply it at work tomorrow.
Harvard Extension School Instructor
MBA vs. Master’s in Management: Which Is Right for Me?
Both graduate degree programs offer courses designed to build broad knowledge and leadership skills for success in the business world.
In both programs — MBA or master’s in management — you’ll strengthen key qualities like leadership, strategy, critical thinking, and problem-solving that can help you advance in your career.
Despite some similarities, however, the focus and coursework in each program differ. Whichever you’re considering, check out the course offerings to compare what aligns best with your personal career goals.
According to Laura Wilcox, the goal of the master’s in management is to develop effective leaders and managers who can enhance organizational performance and navigate change. In contrast, the MBA takes a broader, strategic view designed for seasoned professionals moving into senior or executive leadership roles.
MBA Coursework
In an MBA program, you’ll take courses that provide an overview of core business areas, including:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Operations
- Business analytics
You’ll also gain deeper skills in leadership and management, strategic decision-making, negotiation, ethics, and entrepreneurship.
Most MBA programs offer a mix of required courses and electives so you can tailor your degree to your interests. Electives also often allow you to specialize in topics like international business, business law, advanced finance, or technology management.
Master’s in Management Coursework
A master’s in management program covers many of the same core business topics as an MBA but emphasizes practical management skills that you can apply immediately at work.
Required courses often include:
- Organizational behavior
- Leadership and team dynamics
- Project management
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Marketing management
- Strategy and innovation
- Data-driven decision making
Many students also customize their program through electives that match their industry or career goals. For example, electives might include:
- Change management
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Digital marketing strategy
- Sustainable business practices
- Global business
This flexible curriculum helps you gain a well-rounded foundation in modern management while developing specialized skills relevant to your current or future role.
Harvard Extension School Outcomes
Our alumni lead teams, launch businesses, and make an impact worldwide — all with the strength of the Harvard network behind them.
Earning a management degree from Harvard has been a game-changer. It validated my expertise, opened new career paths, and reinforced the belief that opportunities are there for those willing to pursue them.
This journey was a gift I gave myself — a way to invest in my future, show my kids what’s possible, and prove to myself how much I could really take on.
Now, having graduated, all my hard work has paid off — my company promoted me to an expanded strategic management position. This is not because of a credential on paper, but rather because I show up at work in a new way, applying what I learned at Harvard.
How to Get Started on Your Graduate Degree
The good news is that you can start either of these degrees at almost any stage in your professional journey — whether you’re fresh out of college, looking to level up your leadership skills, or considering a career change into management.
At a minimum, you’ll need to have completed an undergraduate degree before beginning a graduate program (unless you are enrolled in a dual-degree option).
Your undergraduate major does not need to match your current graduate goals. You don’t need a business degree to pursue an MBA, and you don’t need a specific business background to start a master’s in management. However, you may find you need to take certain prerequisite courses to build key skills and be ready for graduate-level study.
The first step is to decide which degree aligns best with your experience and career goals. Next, think about your preferred learning format — full-time or part-time, on-campus or online. Finally, research programs that offer the flexibility, curriculum, and support you need.
Exploring the many high-quality options available today will help you understand the requirements, time commitment, cost, and potential return on investment for your chosen path.
Earning your MBA or master’s in management is a big step — but whichever you choose, you’ll gain valuable skills and connections to move your career forward with confidence.
