Benefits of Choosing an Online MSM Degree
If you want to manage and lead people and sharpen your technical business skills, you've likely considered a Master of Science in Management (MSM) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Both programs can help you cultivate management skills to expand your career, but there are important distinctions. Depending on your aspirations, choosing OHIO's MSM online program may be the right path to take.
Amy Taylor-Bianco, Ohio University professor of management and MSM program director, believes there are many benefits to choosing an MSM degree. “OHIOs MSM is a leadership and career acceleration degree offering unique combinations of technical certificates and a whole lot of management and leadership development. It is pursued by recent college graduates and already skilled employees who want to catapult their career forward,” she explained.
What is the difference between an MSM and an MBA, and how can earning your MSM degree online grow your career? Some of the factors below can all play a part in determining the best approach for you.
Career Development with an MSM Degree
At OHIO, the unparalleled Graduate Career Acceleration Team (GradCAT) provides personalized guidance, invaluable insights and connections with experienced professionals, industry leaders and esteemed alumni. It is available in the MSM, MBA and other degrees. Experience transformative mentorship, gain access to wisdom from industry trailblazers and collaborate on real-world projects. The MSM degree online program also provides exclusive career development opportunities, including:
- Personalized executive mentorship
- Engaging fireside chat series with industry leaders
- Hands-on group consultancy projects with real-world clients
- Reputation assessment and coaching with lead faculty
- Valuable alumni mentorship
These unique offerings enhance your professional growth and networking potential.
Steve Musser, executive-in-residence who teaches the MSM capstone course, is proud of the robust leadership expertise students develop with OHIO's MSM online program. He said, “Graduates develop a variety of in-demand, independent skillsets such as critical thinking, data analytics and strategy development. But more importantly, they learn how to combine these to identify and solve significant business problems.”
OHIO's MSM Online Degree Offers Niche Specializations in In-Demand Fields
OHIO's MSM degree has fewer core courses than a typical MBA, allowing greater flexibility to customize the curriculum with niche specializations. Elective courses in our MSM program are built around stackable in-demand certificates. This tailored approach ensures that you not only gain expertise in your chosen field but also stay ahead of industry trends, positioning yourself for rapid career growth and increased employability.
Taylor-Bianco explained, “Certificates built into the online Ohio MSM curriculum allow students to create customized programs of study. Students choose two certificates in addition to earning a core Management and Leadership Certificate. The unique advantage is that students then utilize these uniquely combined certificates together in their capstone group consultancy, so they come out with the experience to lead across areas.”
Available certificates include:
- Business Analytics
- Business Analytics Leadership
- Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
- Executive Management for Healthcare Professionals
- Human Resources Management
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Selling and Sales Leadership
OHIO’s MS in Management also includes practical experience conducting projects for leading consultancies or firms. The program involves interactions with executives, internship opportunities and practical coursework. Students graduate with demonstrable real-world experience that bolsters their chances of landing the career they want.
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MSM Degree Programs Offer Working Adults Flexibility
An MSM program can be the right choice for those with no work experience as well as for individuals with significant experience who want to sharpen their management expertise quickly. Here, flexibility promotes rigor and connection. The online format and customizable curriculum of the MSM degree at OHIO offers a unique level of flexibility to meet your goals in a way that works for you and ensures you experience a comprehensive and challenging educational environment in any stage of your career.
Maria Johnson, a 2022 OHIO MSM graduate, said, “We have to work hard…. and develop an exceedingly strong network. Since this is a fully online program, cultivating those relationships is much more important. I have enjoyed the collaboration and inclusive environment that the students and faculty co-create.”
Throughout your program, you will learn with a diverse, close-knit community of faculty and peers. Connection is a cornerstone of OHIO’s program. A Leadership Development Conference (LDC) provides an opportunity for online graduate students to connect with instructors, peers and alums while hearing from guest speakers and participating in panel discussions, workshops and more with attendees nationwide.
Kevin Romaine, a 2023 OHIO MSM graduate, said of the LDC weekend, “I took value from each speaker, each session…. I came out of the weekend more aware and ready to tackle obstacles in my way personally and professionally.”
MSM Online Degrees are Cost-Effective
If you want to gain immediately applicable managerial skills at an affordable cost, an MSM degree is a great choice. MSM degrees allow you to grow your leadership skills in real-time through focused instruction and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. According to Taylor-Bianco, “An MSM provides a more management-focused education than most MBA programs in a more time-efficient and cost-effective manner. It is a logical next step for young professionals looking to pave a path into leadership.”
With a sharp focus on management development, an MSM program can help you graduate with a leadership mindset quickly.
Qualify for a Variety of MSM Degree Jobs
You may ask yourself, "What can I do with an MSM?" Quite a bit! An MSM degree is designed to provide recent college graduates — or seasoned professionals — with the knowledge and insight they’ll need for management-level positions.
MS in Management degrees provide a range of skills applicable to various industries, including communication, strategic analysis and leadership. In addition, many MSM programs, like the one at Ohio University, go beyond management skill development. Johnson said, “OHIO’s MSM is a balance of learning about management, people and personal development. It is a community and environment with opportunities not only to grow but to flourish.”
“OHIO’s MSM is a balance of learning about management, people and personal development. It is a community and environment with opportunities not only to grow but to flourish.”
Graduates of MSM programs work in the public and private sectors and have developed the leadership skills to propel their careers. Some common occupations our graduates pursue include the following:
- Analytics manager
- Compensation and benefits manager
- Healthcare manager
- Human resources talent manager
- Public relations manager
- Sales manager
When you complete the OHIO's online MSM degree, you will be a transformative manager prepared to take on organizational challenges in any setting. You will have the leadership skills to empower teams to achieve goals and the specialized expertise to advance in your industry.
Begin Your OHIO MSM Journey
As you evaluate the benefits of an MS in Management vs. MBA, our OHIO team will work closely with you to understand your needs and preferences and discuss the options to help you achieve the best possible outcomes for your career.
Your path to graduate school starts today. Learn more about the opportunities and benefits of pursuing the online Master of Science in Management or the online Master of Business Administration from Ohio University.
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