MBA vs Master's in a Specialized Field: What's the Difference?

The first thing to understand is that an MBA, or Master's in Business Administration, is a type of master's degree. Students in an MBA program will study a broad range of business topics – whereas students in a specialized master’s degree program will focus more on one specific area of business. This means there are variations in each degree program’s structure, topic scope, applicable industries and program length.

Regardless of the type of master's degree you choose to pursue, you are likely to find many courses relevant to your future aspirations. Understanding the details of each offering can help you narrow down the choices and select the degree program that will help prepare you to succeed in your industry.

When it comes to earning your MBA, many schools offer a variety of paths to choose from. For example, you might be able to complete the standard core coursework and earn your degree, or you may be able to layer on a specialization in a specific area of study by taking a few extra courses. Depending on the path you choose, programs often include between 10-16 courses.

MBA programs are typically designed to help students gain communication, collaboration, problem solving, technology and management skills. Courses can span a wide range of business topics including accounting, finance, economics, human resources management, leadership and marketing.

Completing a standalone MBA without a specialization is often the quickest route, but if you're interested in honing your skills in a specific area of business, then an MBA program that offers specializations might be a good fit for you. For example, DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management offers the following MBA specializations:

Earning a master's degree is a great option for someone with a designated career path in mind. Compared to an MBA, a specialized master's degree takes a deeper dive into your preferred area of study. You'll still gain essential business skills, but you'll leave with a greater breadth of knowledge and hands-on experience in your chosen field.

Specialized master's degree programs will often consist of a few essential business courses, with the remainder of the program being degree-specific classes. So, you might begin your studies by learning about accounting, management and business processes, but the bulk of your program will be structured around learning the most important career skills that will be relevant in your chosen field.

Typically, most master's degree programs require around 13 to 15 courses, depending on the area of study. At Keller, for example, students can choose from the following master's degree programs:

Earning an MBA or a specialized master’s degree is an educational achievement you can be proud of. Your education can help prepare you to face the challenges of the modern business world. However, there may be variances in job qualifications and skills gained depending on the degree program you choose.

The most important differences between an MBA vs master’s degrees in specialized fields are the subject matters and industry-specific skill-building offerings. Let’s look at the offerings in Human Resources at Keller as an example:

Your decision to pursue an MBA or another master's degree is one that will likely require some time and thought. Fortunately, the modern world offers a number of opportunities to suit your needs. Whatever your passion or area of expertise, there's a degree program that can expand your knowledge and skills in that field.

Plus, today's graduate programs offer the opportunity to earn your diploma in a way that works for you. Whether you study online, on campus or on-the-go, the availability of flexible learning options make going back to school manageable for busy adults. Pursuing your MBA or master's degree while continuing to gain on-the-job experience at work is a great way to put your education into action almost immediately.