What is the Difference Between a Master’s and an MBA?

Wondering which degree is ideal post-graduation? Considering what degree to get if you want to pursue business? Or are you confused between a Master’s and MBA? Read on for answers to all these questions, and more.

Here, we’ve mentioned some of the most commonly asked questions about Master’s and MBA degrees to help you choose a better option. After reading the article, you’ll have an easier time choosing between MBA and MA/MS. You can also choose between different MBA options based on your needs and requirements. Continue reading for answers to your questions.

Is MBA Considered a Master Degree?

MBA stands for a Master of Business Administration degree. This post-graduation degree is different from a Master’s degree. MBA teaches students leadership, managerial, technical and business skills. Also, universities offer several types of programs to help a student get an education with the job. This includes executive, part-time and full-time MBA programs.

A Master’s degree, on the other hand, helps you gain a high level of mastery in a specific subject. Like an MBA, students pursue it to gain advanced knowledge and skills in a particular field. Opting for the right program allows you to boost your technical skills and knowledge. Master’s degrees have two categories:

• Master of Science (MS)- includes STEM field subjects like engineering, physics and chemistry
• Master of Arts (MA)- offers humanities, liberal arts and social sciences

Hence, MBA and Master’s degrees are different. MBA offers niche-specific skills and knowledge, and every course revolves around the business field. A Master’s degree targets students who need basic business Knowledge. It also offers courses on different topics other than business.

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Is an MBA Harder than a Master’s?

Neither option is easier or harder than the other. Each program is different and you can’t compare them to understand their simplicity. Similarly, the difficulty of both degrees depends on your background, skill sets, previous experience, knowledge and education.

A person with several years of business experience and a business graduate degree will find MBA easier than students without a background in business. However, they may struggle with a Master’s degree due to limited knowledge of other courses.

Another thing that decides the ease of any subject for you is your passion and compassion. Students willing to put all their effort and time into studies can pass exams with flying colors, whether they’re pursuing an MBA or a Master’s degree.

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What Pays more, MBA or MS/MA?

Higher education holds value around the globe. If you have a master’s degree in any field, you’ll surely get a good-paying job in your country. When it comes to comparison, MBA students enjoy a higher pay scale than MS or MA students. This is because MBA is a more niche-specific degree. Also, it offers additional skills to students who already have some kind of business experience. Bigger businesses hire MBA students on higher salaries and demanding designations because of their incredible knowledge.

How Many Years does it take to Complete an MBA or Master’s Degree?

The time duration depends on the institution you’ve selected to complete your degree. Also, both MBA and Master’s degrees have different durations of completion. Each MBA program offers a different duration.

• Executive MBA- 10 to 15 months
• Part-Time MBA- 2 years
• Full-Time MBA- 1 to 2 years

If you’re planning to get a Master’s degree, it will require 2 years to complete. Before you make a decision, it’s best to check your desired institution’s information to understand the degree’s completion period.

Can I Do an MBA after a Masters?

While getting multiple master’s degrees is not common, it can benefit students. By pursuing multiple degrees, a student can gain extensive knowledge in various fields. It also creates a strong impact on your curriculum vitae. Multiple degrees help you to excel in your desired field, in this case, business, and help you secure higher-paid jobs in world-class companies. So if you want to do an MBA after a Master’s degree, it’s certainly an option. The knowledge you gain after completing an MBA will open doors to different career opportunities. Therefore, students who already have a Master’s degree apply for an MBA in the best business schools in Spain.

Can You Fail an MBA?

Like any other degree, the MBA program requires commitment, focus and rigorous self-examination to successfully get a degree in the end. However, students who are new to this field need to be more determined and put in an effort to be successful. Failing in one course doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your goal. So, even if you fail, take responsibility for your low performance, learn what you’ve done wrong and work hard to pass your courses.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, an MBA and Master’s degree are completely different from each other. They both offer different benefits and open different career paths. With an MBA, you can easily see a clear future in business. You can either get a high-paying job or start your own business with niche-specific knowledge. A Master’s degree allows you to enter fields like human resources, investment banking, marketing, accounting or business. People looking to build a skillset in fields other than business can get an MA degree. However, choose a degree that interests you and works great with your abilities and past experiences. If your abilities don’t align with your desired degree, you should be ready to work very hard to end up successful.