by In present times, higher education has become mandatory for gaining lucrative career opportunities in the industry. If you pursue an MBA in Germany or any other specialized master’s degree, it will instantly boost your professional worth. You will become eligible for senior positions and higher remunerations.
But after deciding to pursue higher education, several people get confused between an MBA and specialized master’s degree programs. Dive into this article to learn about the two types of higher education programs to make the right choice.
MBA Degree
You can pursue an online master of business administration to become knowledgeable about different aspects of a business. It is a post-graduate level degree that will shed light on marketing, accounting, HR, management, and more. The purpose of MBA programs is to help learners gain the technical and leadership skills required to run a business successfully.
Specialized Master’s Degree Programs
The specialized master’s degree programs are also for learners who have completed their undergraduate courses. But these specialized programs are usually focused on a specific subject or domain. The best-specialized master’s degrees include data science, project management, DevOps, and more. While MBA programs impart vast knowledge, the curriculum of the specialized master’s programs is more targeted.
Comparing MBA and Specialized Master’s Degree Programs
Let us consider the difference between an MBA degree and other master’s degree programs based on certain factors:
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Focus
The focus of a master of business administration course is all-encompassing. It enables learners to develop functional knowledge about different aspects of a business. But a specialized master’s program has a single area of focus. It imparts knowledge about a specific domain in a precise manner.
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Program Duration
The duration of MBA and specialized master’s degree programs can be different. Usually, learners can pursue an MBA program after gaining a few years of experience in the professional world. These learners are aimed at taking their career one level higher. Typically, learners need to be in business school for two years to gain an MBA degree.
But the specialized master’s degree programs can be shorter. Usually, learners with little to no experience are also accepted in these programs. These courses help learners learn about a specific subject to acquire a higher position in that specialization.
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Cost
Pursuing an MBA is usually more expensive for learners. However, a master of business administration course will also offer a higher ROI. Professionals with an MBA can earn between Rs 7,00,000 to Rs 12,00,000 annually in India.
Moreover, MBA graduates in India can find jobs in top firms. They will also be in high demand in foreign countries.
The specialized master’s degree programs also enable learners to secure top positions in leading firms. But pursuing specialized master’s degree programs is usually more affordable for learners.
Want to make the right choice- Ask the right questions
If you are confused between an MBA and a specialized master’s degree program, you should ponder upon the following questions to make the right choice:
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Your career goals
You must look into your long-term career goals to make the right choice. Once you have a clear idea about your career objectives, you can determine which program aligns well with them.
Since an online master of business administration course is focused solely on business, it will offer holistic knowledge about the same. It is perfect for learners who want to explore leadership and managerial roles in the industry. The curriculum of an MBA program will help learners develop their leadership and management skills to operate a business successfully.
But you will find specialized master’s degree programs for various domains. They are ideal for learners who want to develop their skills in a subject they have pursued during their undergraduate program. The curriculum of these specialized programs will help develop the technical and analytical skills of learners.
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Expectations from the course
The next thing that you need to focus on is what you are planning to learn from these courses. You should figure out what skills you would need to succeed in accomplishing your long-term career goals. If you need overall business management skills, you should go for an online master of business administration program. But if you need skills related to a specific industry or niche, you must pursue specialized master’s degree programs.
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Time you can invest
Before choosing between an MBA and a specialized master’s degree program, you must determine how much time you can invest in them. Remember that the duration of business courses might differ from specialized master’s degree courses.
Working professionals might be more willing to pursue shorter programs because they would find it difficult to put in effort for a long time. But luckily, working professionals can pursue MBAs and specialized master’s degree programs online. The online learning mode ensures that learners have access to much flexibility and can go through the study materials in their own time.
Many organizations are sponsoring employees to pursue master’s degree programs online. If employees can up-skill themselves, they will better handle complex tasks at work. Therefore, employees who upskill themselves are a valuable asset for companies.
Summing up
MBA degrees, as well as specialized master’s degree programs, can aid learners in career development. But the two types of programs have different approaches toward career advancement.
A master of business administration course is more suitable for learners who wish to pursue roles focused on business management. But specialized master’s degree courses can help learners advance their skills before entering the job market. No matter which one you choose, the courses will help you become more noticeable in front of employers.
