MBA Vs MSc

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MBA Vs MSc

Education

Many learners in Cameroon have a hard time making a choice of postgraduate studies between the Master of Science (MSc degree) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA). This article presents key differences between the MBA and the MSc degrees.

While both are Postgraduate qualifications, they do not target the same group of learners and have very different learning outcomes. This post is intended to shed some light on the differences. So here are some differences (I will be using both global and local contexts):

1.      Globally, the MBA is usually taught by Business Schools, while Mainstream Universities teach the MSc. It is true that in recent years, many mainstream universities have also introduced the MBA. But most of them have created Business Schools that teach these programs. Our state universities have adopted a different approach though. It is worthy to note that the first MBA program was introduced in 1908 by the Harvard School of Business Administration.

2.      The second difference is the experience of the candidates. The MBA targets people with professional experience, while the MSc is typically for pre-experience candidates who may have only recently completed an undergraduate degree. Again. It is worthy to keep in mind that in our local context, many things are mixed up.

3.      A third difference is the career aspirations. The MSc is best suited for candidates who aspire to pursue a career in academia while the MBA is for candidates who aspire to grow in the corporate setting. In our local context, the pathway is BSc-MSc-PhD. Globally and locally, the MBA pathway could be HND-BTech.-MBA-DBA. This explains why many universities around the world would not admit someone with an MBA into their PhD program. This also explains why the DBA was introduced as a terminal degree for holders of the MBA.

4.      The fourth difference is the curriculum and the teaching methodology. The focus of the MBA is to provide a rounded education which covers everything from Human Resources to Logistics to Finance, to strategic Management, and especially soft skills which equip corporate executives with the ability to have a bird eye view of their organizations. The MBA is a more professional program with a more practical focus. EMAS Business School’s MBA for example, employs case studies, mini projects, teamwork, discussions, and seminars, as teaching methods. The overall focus is peer learning. The MSc on the other hand is focused on helping students gain the knowledge required in specific functional areas. Teaching is usually more academic and theoretical.

5.      The fifth difference is research: MSc candidates are required to carry out basic research, which is basically curiosity-driven. The results contribute to existing knowledge but may not have any commercial purpose. MBA students are required to conduct applied research. MBA students at Rome Business School for example are taught Applied Business Research, which is aimed at solving practical problems.

6.      Other differences may include class sizes, prestige and fees. MBA classes are usually smaller and tuition fees way higher. The general perception is that the MBA is more prestigious.

So if you just recently obtained an undergraduate qualification and you’re considering postgraduate studies, I hope this post makes the decision easier for you.