Graduate Business Degrees: MBA or Masters?

The second most significant difference between the two graduate-level degrees is that of teaching style. While there have been tremendous developments in the way in which all university programs are taught, particularly with the introduction of new online learning technologies, MBA and master's programs enjoy entirely different learning styles.

Traditional MBA programs are dominated by what is referred to as `case studies', real-world examples of business issues or problems that students are expected to explore, discuss and reflect on in small groups or `syndicates' of fellow students.

While the more traditional lectures and tutorial classes also feature in some MBA programs, these are far less common than in their master's degree counterparts.

Master's programs, on the other hand, continue to develop their teaching methodologies around classroom or laboratory-based activities such as lectures, tutorials or presentations.

While small group work can be a feature of some master's programs, the emphasis on individual or independent learning is often more significant than in many MBA degrees.

Perhaps one of the best illustrations of the difference between an MBA and a masters-level qualification can be seen in a specialized area such as human resource and personnel management.

Where the generalized approach common in many MBA programs is sufficient to equip a student for a range of business-related situations, the more specialized nature of a master's qualification provides the candidate with the precise academic and theoretical framework to tackle a specific area.

In some cases, the difference between the two in a particular area can also be practical in the sense of the teaching style, content of the program and opportunities to develop subject knowledge.

Sheila Russ, a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University in the USA, conveys the differences between the two qualifications in the context of a specialized academic area.

"I started in the MBA with a concentration in HR, and then switched to Masters in HR Management (HRM). My reasoning for switching programs was simple - the master's offered more opportunity for me to take the classes I wanted.

"The MBA program offered a better overall knowledge of business, with 12 classes - but only four of which were electives, so the majority of your course load was chosen for you."

The differences in such a specialized area as human resources or personnel management are also important to employers.

Gary Garber, an HR professional in a Chicago-based finance company, is clear on the differences between the two qualifications. "An MBA has a ton of general business courses and only a few HR ones. As a graduate of Cornell's Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR), my experience is the opposite - the MILR has a ton of HR courses and only a few general business ones.

"Employers certainly consider both degrees, but I think where there are specific HR vacancies, then the level of specialized knowledge the MILR provides you with wins out."

Russ echoes Garber's views. "In making my decision to switch programs I spoke with several HR professionals I know through our local professional network. They, my advisor, and our dean of business graduate studies, all gave me the same advice.

"In a nutshell, what they told me was that if HR is really what you want to do, then the master's is your best option. You also have to remember that in specialized fields, a lot of schools have MBA programs but a master's degree is something that can set you apart in the industry."

While the demand for MBA and master's programs continues to grow, there continues to be a healthy debate over the relative merits and disadvantages of both degrees.

Your choice of program very much depends on two critical factors. First, your ambitions: if you are clear on the type of career or specialism you hope to develop in your future career, then the advantages of a master's degree often outweigh the more generic, business-focused approach of many MBA curricula.

Second, your background and qualifications: the most highly regarded international MBA or master's programs require very precise entry qualifications, whether they are framed in terms of GMAT or GRE scores, professional experience, academic achievements or language requirements.

In this context, the very best program for you has to be directly related to your own background - to make any other choice would be to risk fulfilling your potential.

This article was originally published in November 2017. It was updated in October 2020.

Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.