Deciding on which master’s degree to pursue is not always an easy process. You may have passions and career interests that align with more than one degree and determining which one will help you achieve your goals may prove to be a difficult process.
In fact, it likely happens more than you think. We’ve already explored several popular degrees people often try to decide between, including Marketing vs. Business Administration, Information Technology vs. Information Systems, English Degree vs. Journalism Degree, and Health Informatics vs. Information Systems Management (Technology). Today, we’re taking a closer look at two more: Master of Business Administration vs. Master of Arts in Organizational Management.
While both an MBA and a master's degree in organizational management require critical thinking, business acumen, leadership skills, and problem solving, there also are some key differences between the two that you should consider when considering to pursue one of these two degrees.
Key Differences
We've developed a quiz to help you learn about these differences and to arm you with more information as you think through the process more carefully. There are three categories of questions: personality, leadership skills, and career. The degree your answers match the most will determine which may more closely align with your personal and professional goals.
Of course, a quiz alone is not the answer to this very important question, and you should weigh all of the information before making a decision. Be sure to conduct thorough research, consult with peers, consider your passions, and discuss your options in more detail with an academic advisor or a Career Services advisor at University of Arizona Global Campus. Instead, use this quiz as one of many gauges that may help you decide which degree is the best for you.
After answering the questions below, take a moment to review more about each of the two degree programs. Then, reach out to an advisor to discuss your next steps.
Learn More About the MBA
In the Master of Business Administration program at the Forbes School of Business & Technology at the University of Arizona Global Campus, you’ll learn the key attributes for managing a profitable business and for becoming a better leader in your field. The IACBE-accredited online degree program has been carefully designed to cover current business topics and includes a balance of theory with practical, real-world skills.
The courses expand upon broad-reaching business studies by focusing on innovation, leadership, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial concepts. They also cover a wide variety of in-depth topics like finance, analysis, operations management, business law, global marketing, and economics. The holistic program provides a deep immersion in business and leadership concepts and empowers students to understand, compete, and thrive in today's highly competitive global business environment.
Highlights of the program include:
- Steve Forbes, featured in the Global Economics and Political Influence course, shares his valuable business insight in videos throughout the program
- Interactive business simulations
- Gamification
- Live RSS feeds to incorporate blogs from industry experts
- A scaffolding case study that builds from one course to the next throughout the program
- Videos from authors, industry experts, and faculty
- A personal portfolio of work that you will develop throughout the program
- Career development tools including CliftonStrengths talent assessment, personal branding exercises, LinkedIn profile development, and more
- Relevant business books and course materials
- No GMAT or GRE requirement
A few examples of careers you may consider after obtaining an MBA include:
- Business Development Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Treasurer
- Controller
- Chief Executive
Learn More About the MA in Organizational Management
With the IACBE accredited Master’s in Organizational Management degree from the University of Arizona Global Campus, you will become an effective leader with global vision and awareness. In this program, you learn how to maintain and manage an organization’s activities and employees in a wide variety of organizational management situations. Further you will develop the necessary management expertise to deal with the human aspects of a business organization and inspire others in the workplace.
Some of the more advanced skills you will obtain help you when dealing with the complex problems that organizations and individuals face in today's marketplace. Courses include organizational change, marketing, decision making, strategic thinking, and innovation, which will cultivate the landscape for building an organizational culture that embraces quality and diversity. Upon completion of this degree program, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the role of management practice in organizations and the managerial processes to effectively implement an organizational communication plan
- Analyze common behavioral factors that are present in organizations
- Analyze the factors that shape the legal environment of an organization
- Develop processes and policies to manage human capital in organizations
- Evaluate the importance of ethics and corporate social responsibility
- Develop a framework of analysis for strategic planning
In the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program, you also can delve into other areas by choosing a specialization, each of which focuses on a unique element within the scope of organizational management that will further enhance your skills and prepare you for a larger range of responsibility:
- Global Management
- Human Resources Management
- Media Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Public Administration
- Standard MA/Org Mngmt
- Supply Chain Management
Whether you choose to pursue an MBA or a master’s degree in organizational management ultimately will be a personal and informed choice that you make after considering all the details regarding the two programs. Both degrees offer a number of career choices that can lead to great success. Take the time to consider all your options and then speak to an advisor who can help you to pursue a degree that is best for you.