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MBA Versus MS Degree: How To Choose The Right Program

Both the MBA and business MS degrees can provide a solid foundation for a successful corporate career.

But how do the two degrees differ and when should you pursue one over the other? Ilana Kowarski, a reporter at U.S. News, recently spoke to experts on what each degree provides and how applicants can look to their career goals to decide which program is right.

MS PROVIDES SPECIALIZED STUDY

If you’re looking for a dedicated course of study, experts say, an MS degree program may be right for you.

“Those specialized masters are built to give you the depth of knowledge, where an MBA is really meant to give you that breadth of knowledge,” Rebecca Mallen-Churchill, director of graduate recruitment at Arizona State’s W.P. Carey School of Business, tells Fortune.

Having a specialized course of study can be a huge differentiator when you’re entering a specific industry. But if you’re intent on earning an MS degree, experts say, you better be sure about what industry you want to pursue.

“An MS in some ways kind of pigeonholes you into a certain area, and granted, you can do that across many industries, but you’re really kind of deciding that that’s what you want to do,” Charles Catania III, chief communications officer for Modulus Global, a financial technology company, tells U.S. News.

KNOW YOUR CAREER GOALS

Making the decision between an MBA vs. an MS degree is tough, but it really comes down to what your career goals are.

“When considering this decision, I would always recommend that individuals ponder their career ambitions and factor in the industry they are considering,” Jeffrey Buck, dean and vice president of Purdue University Global’s School of Business and Information Technology, tells U.S. News. “My best advice is to investigate positions within the desired industry and consider the requirements that are listed in job postings, and also look at the credentials of individuals who hold positions which the student aspires.”

If your goals are aligned to an industry that requires specialized knowledge, an MS degree may be the better choice.

“While many MBAs do offer the ability to specialize, the number of courses one can take in any given concentration in a two-year MBA program is never equivalent to that of a specialized master’s degree in that same subject,” Esmeralda Cardenal, an MBA and graduate admissions consultant at the Accepted admissions consulting firm, tells US News.

Sources: U.S. News, Fortune

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