Management is constantly evolving, so aspiring professionals like you must continually find ways to stay competitive. It can feel exhausting.
Here’s a tip: one of the most valuable tools for boosting your career in business leadership is earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA), especially one with a concentration in management.
But what is an MBA in Management? What makes it stand out from a regular MBA? Luckily, we have the answers right here.
What Sets an MBA in Management Apart?
A traditional MBA provides the broad strokes of standard business practices, while a management MBA degree takes that specialization a step further. Through the program, you’ll gain a unique and specialized skill set designed to lead most industries. For those who want to both understand and lead businesses to success, this program is for you.
Tailored for those transitioning into leadership across various industries, a management MBA concentration is a game-changer. The concentration builds on the foundational knowledge of a standard MBA. Think finance, marketing, and operations, among other need-to-knows. Then, it mixes this into the theory and practice of managing people and processes effectively.
An MBA management program equips graduates with the skills to plan strategically, lead diverse teams, manage complex projects, and create success in all industries. Whether you want to lead a nonprofit, launch a startup, or bring up a new Fortune 500 company, a management MBA prepares you for anything.
With a well-rounded and versatile skill set from this MBA, you can enter any industry at an administrative level with confidence and competence.
MBA in Management coursework
The MBA in management concentration includes a mix of base business courses and tailored management training reflecting real-world leadership scenarios. An MBA in management’s curriculum typically includes:
Business core classes
These courses are the backbone of most MBA programs, reinforced through the scope of management:
- Financial management: Learn how to read and work with budgets, financial planning, and investment strategies.
- Marketing: Create strategies to promote services, boost branding, and foster consumer engagement.
- Operations management: Study how to streamline operations, learn supply chain logistics, and keep up with daily workplace efficiency.
- Leadership and strategic planning: Learn team-development skills for executive decision-making and financial balancing.
Management-centric courses
This is where the MBA in management shines. These classes focus on human dynamics, change leadership, and organizational excellence:
- Organizational Behavior: Learn to understand how workers and groups interact within organizations to improve the working culture, productivity, and overall morale.
- Change Management: Learn strategies for leading companies through transitions, whether structural, technological, or cultural.
- Human Resource Management: Examine recruiting, retaining, and developing talent while navigating labor laws and company culture.
- Project Management: Learn how to plan, execute, and assess projects across all industries.
Fast-track your professional journey!
4 Benefits of an MBA in Management
So why pursue a management MBA degree instead of a general MBA? Here are a few of the biggest advantages:
1. Focused curriculum
While a traditional MBA provides a solid foundation, the MBA in management concentration delves deeper into leadership, organizational development, and people management. Built for those who want to lead high-performing teams and departments, an MBA management program’s specialized focus better prepares you for administrative roles. Plus, it’s the fast track to high-paying and powerful positions.
2. Targeted career paths
A management MBA isn’t just about learning; it’s about doing and advancing. MBA management programs are tailored for roles like project managers, operations leads, business unit directors, and HR strategists.
While general MBAs can lead to careers in finance, consulting, or marketing, moving into leadership positions without a specific concentration can take longer or require additional training. A management MBA concentration prepares you to hit the ground running.
3. Flexible and manageable
Life stays busy, but that doesn’t mean your goals should be on hold. Programs like University of Bridgeport’s MBA in Management offer part-time and full-time options, allowing you to balance work, family, and school. You can even complete your MBA in as few as 18 months. Online classes make it even more convenient to learn on your schedule, from wherever you are.
4. Leadership-first education
A general MBA may touch on leadership, but a management MBA program dives deep. You’ll master conflict resolution, strategic decision-making, and team building—skills critical for any leadership role. Come graduation, you’ll have a toolbox of techniques and frameworks that set you apart from peers with narrower degrees.
Career opportunities
With an MBA in Management, you could work in almost any industry you’d want, from restaurants to tech, to finance, and even healthcare. Beyond that, management roles can make serious money. The annual median salary for management positions, as of May 2024, is $122,090. Meanwhile, general business and financial positions typically pay around $80,920 per year. Typical roles for MBA in Management graduates include:
- General manager: Oversees the daily operations and overall performance of a business or department to ensure planned goals are met as efficiently as possible.
- Operations director: Leads and optimizes an organization’s internal processes, resources, and teams to maximize productivity and operational success.
- Project manager: Plans, starts, and delivers specific projects on time and within budget by coordinating teams, timelines, and resources.
- Business development manager: Identifies growth opportunities, builds strategic partnerships, and drives revenue by expanding the company’s market reach.
Is an MBA in Management for you?
If you’re looking to grow your career in business leadership, a management MBA program might be your ideal next step. It’s perfect for anyone to build a career in administration, lead departments or companies, and make strategic decisions that move organizations forward.
University of Bridgeport designed its MBA in management with flexibility, affordability, and real-world impact in mind. Choose from full-time or part-time schedules and even attend virtually—so your education fits you first.
Ready to Lead?
So, what is an MBA in Management? It’s more than a degree. It’s a launchpad for future leaders like you. With a robust curriculum, focused career outcomes, and flexible learning, a management MBA concentration opens the door to exciting leadership roles in any industry.
Whether you’re building on experience or starting fresh, this degree allows you to lead with strategy, confidence, and purpose. The path to leadership starts here.