What can you do with a master's in management?
By Brian Fairbanks and Laurie Davies
Are you "management material?" For those who think big picture, enjoy strategizing for success, and are good at understanding people’s strengths and weaknesses in a professional setting, it may be time to consider a career in business management — and a master's in management may just be the first step in the right direction.
What is a master's in management?Â
A master's in management, formally known as a Master of Management degree (MM), is similar to a master’s in business management, or MBA. It prepares students for jobs in business management and administration. A typical MM program includes such curriculum as business operations, general regulations, research, analytics, laws and ethics (now more important than ever as many companies strive to be good community partners).
Master’s in management jobsÂ
As with an MBA, the MM program positions students to pursue any one of a variety of business management careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management jobs are projected to have  of this decade, growing faster than the average forecast for all occupations combined.
BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ students or graduates.
The career outcomes for a master's in management include:
- General managers
- Operations managers
- Store managers
General/operations managersÂ
Overview: General managers (GMs)Â take a big-picture approach to organizational success and can be responsible for such tasks as formulating policies, developing staff schedules and assigning work.
Overview: Â also oversee strategies to achieve or improve success. Their daily responsibilities vary but can include allocating resources such as operational materials or staff hours, overseeing project completion and developing organizational policy.
Education requirements: Degree requirements for general managers vary depending on the industry, organization size and business needs. Most companies require their GMs to have a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field, but .
Salary: Much like education requirements, the compensation for general managers and operations managers varies. In May 2023, GMs and operations managers earned from , with a median wage of $101,280, according to BLS.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of °®ÎÛ´«Ã½. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
Store managersÂ
Overview: Store managers are a specific type of first-line supervisor for retail sales workers. Their job duties typically involve management functions, including supervisory work, personnel decisions, accounting, payroll and budgeting.
Education requirements: While many stores accept management candidates with bachelor’s degrees, some employers prefer candidates have master’s degrees for management roles.
Salary: In May 2023, store managers earned between , with a median wage of $46,730, according to BLS.
Job outlook: BLS estimates job growth of across all management occupations between 2023 and 2033.
Deciding on a career with a master's in management
Deciding which avenue to pursue can be overwhelming. No matter which type of management career may be considered, pursuing a graduate degree in a management program, like an MBA or master’s in management, can impart lasting skills designed to benefit a career.
Learn more about earning a master's in management
If a master’s in management degree program sounds interesting to you, °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ offers online business programs, including, a bachelor’s in business degree, online MBA courses, and a master’s in management.
Contact °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ for more information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A journalist-turned-marketer, Laurie Davies has been writing since her high school advanced composition teacher told her she broke too many rules. She has worked with °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ since 2017, and currently splits her time between blogging and serving as lead writer on the University’s Academic Annual Report. Previously, she has written marketing content for MADD, Kaiser Permanente, Massage Envy, UPS, and other national brands. She lives in the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ area with her husband and son, who is the best story she’s ever written.Â
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Fairbanks is a freelance writer with a background in SEO content creation and blog article development
This article has been vetted by °®ÎÛ´«Ã½'s editorial advisory committee.Â
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