By DeVry University
June 3, 2020
6 min read
June 3, 2020
6 min read
You know you want to pursue an advanced education – but you still have questions about which degree is right for you and your desired career path. While breaking down the differences between an MBA vs master’s degrees in specialized fields might seem confusing at first, depending on what you’re interested in studying the answer can be fairly simple.
When it comes to choosing a master's degree program, here are the differences students need to know to make an informed decision.
Accounting
Business Intelligence and Analytics Management
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Global Supply Chain Management
Health Services
Human Resources
Information Systems Management
Marketing
Project Management
Adding a specialization to your MBA program at Keller typically requires the successful completion of a few extra courses to earn your degree. An MBA with a specialization in finance, for example, includes an in-depth study of Business Economics, Corporate Finance, Strategic Marketing, International Finance and other relevant topics.
Whether you choose to add a specialization or not, an MBA program is a great way to advance your business and management skills and gain hands-on experience that you can apply at work.
Accounting
Accounting and Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Information Systems Management
Information Technology Management
Network and Communications Management
Project Management
Public Administration
Of course, timelines and specific courses per degree can vary, especially if you have already earned credit hours in a relevant program. At Keller, some of the classes you've already taken may qualify for course waivers*, meaning your previous achievements can help you reach your next goal sooner.
A specialized master’s degree in Human Resource Management is a program designed for professionals looking to prepare to advance their careers in HR. Your education would focus on skills and knowledge that can directly apply to jobs in Human Resources, including training and development, staffing, and negotiation skills which can be beneficial for someone with a concrete career path in mind.
An MBA with a specialization in Human Resources typically focuses foremost on business skill development, but also includes HR-specific topics like managing organizational change, and employment law. This pathway can be a great way to learn all you want to know about business, while still gaining an edge in human resource-related topics.
A standalone MBA without a concentration will help you to hone your technology, collaboration, problem-solving and management skills while strengthening your understanding of today’s business world. If you are pursuing a leadership role, a standalone MBA may be an excellent fit. However, aside from what you’ll learn in your core classes, it likely won’t offer specific subject matter to refine your skills and knowledge for a designated industry.
As you can see, each path has its own unique benefits to offer. It’s always best to take a moment to evaluate your education and career goals, so you can better determine which program might be the best fit for you. When in doubt, speaking with an admissions representative can help you to better understand the programs and benefits at a particular university.
Ready to pursue your graduate degree? Explore Keller Graduate School of Management's MBA and specialized Master’s Degree Programs or contact us to get started.
*Eligibility and application of course waivers varies based on the type of course waiver credit earned, the student’s enrolled location and/or the student’s state of residence. For more information, please refer to the Course Waiver section of the Keller academic catalog.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Naperville Campus: 1200 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online compliant system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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