You’ve decided that earning a graduate degree is the next important step in your professional journey. Whether you’re seeking a promotion, considering a career change or ready to expand your expertise, a graduate business degree can help you get there. But which path fits your goals best — a Master of Business Administration or a specialized master’s degree? 

Both graduate programs can strengthen your leadership skills, grow your network and prepare you for success in an evolving global marketplace. Understanding the differences between an MBA vs. master’s degree will help you choose the right program for your career aspirations. 

Understanding the MBA 

An MBA is one of the most recognized graduate business degrees worldwide. Designed for working professionals, an MBA provides a broad foundation in leadership and management while developing strategic decision-making skills. 

The MBA curriculum covers core areas such as finance, marketing, operations, strategy and organizational behavior. Students learn how the varied functions of a business work together to create value and drive growth. This comprehensive approach prepares graduates to lead effectively and make high-level decisions across industries. 

Typical MBA candidates:

• Professionals with at least three years of work experience 
• Seeking advancement into management, leadership, or entrepreneurship 
• Interested in gaining a cross-functional understanding of business 

Key takeaways from an MBA program:

• Develop strategic leadership and management skills 
• Gain a holistic understanding of business operations 
• Expand your professional and alumni network 
• Build confidence to pursue senior or executive-level roles 

Whether you plan to advance within your organization, change industries or start your own venture, an MBA equips you with the leadership foundation and business insight to succeed. 

The top-ranked Oregon State MBA 

The Oregon State MBA program combines rigorous academics with flexibility for working professionals. Students complete 42 credits of core business coursework and 18 credits in a specialized area tailored to their career goals. 

MBA options:

• Business analytics 
• Corporate finance 
• Cybersecurity management 
• Human resource management 
• Marketing 
• Organizational leadership 
• Supply chain and logistics management 
• Wine business management 

This 60-credit program is offered in three formats: in person in Corvallis, fully online through Oregon State’s top-ranked Ecampus and in the Portland Hybrid format. Students can complete the program full time or part time in two to three years. 

Explore Oregon State University’s MBA to discover how flexible formats and specialized tracks can help you reach your next career milestone. 

Understanding a specialized master’s 

A specialized master’s degree focuses on developing deep expertise in a specific area of business. These programs are ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build targeted, technical and analytical skills. 

Unlike an MBA’s broad approach, specialized master’s programs emphasize industry-specific knowledge and data-driven decision-making using the latest business technologies. 

Typical specialized master’s candidates: 

• Recent graduates or early-career professionals 

• Career changers seeking to build expertise in a focused area 

• Professionals looking to advance within a specific function 

Key takeaways from a specialized master’s program: 

• Gain advanced technical and analytical skills 

• Build a competitive advantage in specialized job markets 

• Become career-ready for specific industries or roles 

• Lay the groundwork for professional or academic growth 

If you already know your area of interest and want to become an expert in that field, a specialized master’s degree provides the depth of knowledge and hands-on experience to set you apart. 

Oregon State specialized master’s degrees 

Oregon State University’s STEM-designated master’s programs build strong business fundamentals and technical expertise to help graduates confidently launch their careers. The 45-credit program includes 15 credits of core business courses and 30 credits in a concentration area aligned with your professional goals. 

Students can complete their degree online or in person in Corvallis in about two years. 

Master of Science in Business (MSB) options: 

• Finance 

• Financial analytics 

• Marketing insights and analytics 

Master of Science (MS): 

• Supply chain and logistics management 

Discover how Oregon State’s specialized master’s degrees can accelerate your career and set you apart in today’s competitive market.

Graduate certificates

If you’re not ready to commit to a full degree, Oregon State’s graduate certificates allow you to earn specialized credentials while earning credits that can transfer into our MBA or specialized master’s programs later. 

These certificates provide in-demand, career-ready skills that can be completed in a year or less — an ideal option for professionals looking to expand their expertise or test the waters of graduate education. 

Graduate certificate options: 

• Business analytics 

• Business fundamentals 

• Supply chain and logistics management 

Explore graduate certificates to see how they can strengthen your skills and serve as a stepping stone to an advanced degree. 

Many students find that returning to the classroom sparks their interest in pursuing an advanced degree, and we make it easy to keep going. 

No matter which path you choose, Oregon State University’s College of Business provides the resources, flexibility and academic excellence to help you achieve your goals and lead with confidence. Schedule a call with a recruiter or attend a virtual information session to find your path.