MBA vs Masters

Viral Patel

2 min

Trying to make an impact on the competitive job market takes a lot of effort. You are mistaken if you think completing only graduation will open up gateways for job opportunities. The job market always looks for ‘more,’ and this is where the significance of a postgraduate degree lies.

When you think of a postgraduate degree in business, the first degree that comes to mind is an MBA. However, you can also get a Master's degree in Science (MS) in many other subjects, such as Languages, Computer Science/Applications, Business, Economics, Healthcare, etc.

In India, candidates with an MBA have the highest employability rate, at 71%, while those with a Master of Computer Applications rank third, at 64.63%.

Still, the debate about MBA vs. Masters remains unsolved. Keep reading to find out who will win the battle between the two.

MBA degree: Understanding the basics

An MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is among the most popular postgraduate programs. It provides a complete understanding of administration and business management.

  • What do you learn in an MBA program?

MBA programs teach various skills, making candidates future-ready for management positions. Some noteworthy components that every MBA program has include:

  • Management and leadership skills

MBA programs (including specializations) focus on developing management and leadership skills. With these skills, students can make strategic decisions, lead teams, and manage available resources efficiently and effectively.

  • Interpersonal and communication skills

Effective communication skills are mandatory to survive the competitive business world. All MBA programs include interpersonal development, negotiation skills, and business communication.

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Business problems are often complex and demand smart problem-solving skills. MBA programs help students learn to think critically and find new solutions to tough problems. They use real-life business situations to help students improve their problem-solving skills.

  • Core business knowledge

MBA programs teach fundamental business subjects, including marketing, human resources, finance, operations, and strategy. These subjects prepare candidates for leadership roles and develop their core business knowledge.

A Master’s degree: Basic overview

A student pursues a Master’s degree after completing an undergraduate degree, also known as a Bachelor’s degree. There are many academic postgraduate programs covering various fields of study.

Usually, a Master’s degree provides students with expertise and in-depth knowledge in their chosen subject of study. Some common and most popular Master’s degrees include:

  • Master of Science (MS)
  • Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
  • Master of Commerce (M.Com)
  • Master of Arts (MA) (includes a wide variety of subjects)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed)
  • What does a Master’s program teach?

Master’s degrees have the following key components:

  • Focus on research

Depending on the subject candidates choose for a Master's degree, they can go for thesis writing or research projects. Along with research-oriented programs, some of the Masters programs are professionally targeted. Such programs prepare students for their professional careers.

  • Advanced and in-depth knowledge of the subject

A Master’s program is more focused and advanced than an undergraduate program. The course covers various aspects of the chosen subject in detail, helping students gain an in-depth understanding of the subject and its related aspects.

Drawing the differences between MBA and MS

The debate of MBA vs Masters remains incomplete until we compare the two postgraduate programs. The educational aims and career objectives of MBA and MS are different.

Let us discuss this in detail here: