For aspiring professionals interested in business, a bachelor’s degree in business administration or management often emerges as a potential educational path. As you look at these two degrees, however, you will quickly discover that they have a great deal in common. Both areas of study will cover topics associated with business optimization, running a business, and tasks and activities associated with business development.
However, there are key differences between these two degree options that you will want to pay attention to. When you have a clear understanding of the two options, it will be easier for you to select the one that best fits your goals. Here is what you need to know.
What Is Business Administration?
Let us begin by exploring the general topic of business administration. Business administrators can work in a variety of roles and environments, holding leadership positions across various industries and departments.
These professionals focus on managing the resources of an organization. They focus on the overarching goals of the organization and the direction that the company wishes to take. Administrators then take these goals and create strategies for keeping the organization aligned with them.
At the core of these professionals’ responsibilities lies instituting effective practices across the organization and keeping things running smoothly. To accomplish these goals, professionals need skills such as effective leadership, clear communication, detail orientation, and a talent for strategic planning.
Depending upon the area of specialization, administrators will also study specific skill sets related to different business areas such as accounting, IT, or human resources.
What Is Management?
Management in a business setting differs slightly from business administration. Professionals in this position focus more on coordinating business activities and overseeing specific operations to improve productivity. Like administrators, they can work in a variety of specialized areas, such as finance or marketing.
This position focuses heavily on the infrastructure of core business operations. They take part in responsibilities such as supervising and training employees and need skills related to delegating and finding creative solutions to problems.
What Is the Difference Between Business Administration and Management?
Now that you understand the responsibilities of these two fields a bit better, let us explore the core differences between the two. Essentially, it comes down to what the professional is responsible for managing. Managers will look at the day-to-day operation of the business and the people involved. Business administrators will care more about overall business goals and what to prioritize within the business as a whole.
Essentially, management positions revolve more around the people in the organization, while administrators have tasks associated more with administrative work.
Both of these roles are essential to business success.
Difference Between Business Administration and Management College Degrees
With the core differences between business administrators and managers outlined above, you can understand why the business degree paths will also need to differ to prepare graduates for these given roles.
Generally speaking, there will be some overlap in the types of courses that students will take in each degree program. You will likely encounter courses related to accounting, economics, and ethics in both tracks, for example.
However, managers need to focus more on managing people directly. Therefore, the degree will have a greater emphasis on communications, leadership, conflict resolution, building strong teams, and management theory.
Administrator roles look more at the technical side of running a business. Therefore, the courses will have a greater emphasis on operations end of a business (operations management). Students should also expect to take courses related to their areas of focus, such as high levels of math, for those who want to concentrate on the finance side of business.
Management Degree Vs. Business Administration: Specializations
Those interested in studying business administration or management will also find there are several different types of specializations that they can pursue. These concentrations can provide education in specific areas of business.
If you are interested in pursuing business administration, you might decide to focus on concentrations such as:
- Accounting
- Computer information systems
- MBA track– which lets bachelor’s-level students take more advanced MBA courses that can allow them to get a head start on their master’s degree.
There are also several concentrations available for management degrees. This includes options like:
- General management
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Human resource management
- MBA track
Management Vs. Business Administration: Career Paths
Due to the different emphasis on studies within these degree programs, there could be subtle differences in the types of fields that those with management or business administration degrees might enter.
Those that have studied business administration might be interested in career areas like:
- Business analysis
- Finance leadership
- Human resource management
- Operations management
- Project management
Those who select studies in management might enjoy career paths related to:
- Sales management
- Marketing management
- Account management
- Human resource management
- Training and development
- Entry-level supervisory positions
Business Programs at Post University
Post University offers a Bachelor of Science in degrees. Each of these degree options offers students the chance to build their skills in various areas of business.
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
At Post, the bachelor’s degree in business administration is offered both on campus and online. It includes thorough coursework in areas such as accounting, economics, finance, business law, and marketing. Students graduate from the program having covered a wide range of skills and materials relevant in corporate settings.
The curriculum is based on the excellence of the successful businessman and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Malcolm Baldrige. Students study a curriculum that embodies his ethics and commitment to continued business improvement. They learn important business policy and how to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to real-world situations.
Bachelor’s Degree in Management
The bachelor’s degree in management from Post is offered online and on campus. Coursework covers topics such as organizational hierarchy and integration, motivation, conflict resolution, and leadership. Students learn how to improve business effectiveness, and how to foster innovation within their teams and departments. Students also have the chance to learn from experienced management professionals.
Master of Business Administration
For those who want to take their education as a leader in business further, the Master of Business Administration can help you build to the next level. The degree is offered both online and on-campus from Post, with multiple concentration options available.
You will have the chance to specialize in areas such as:
- Corporate Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Healthcare Systems Leadership
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Multidisciplinary studies
Combining creativity with important skills related to business management, students who pursue this degree can expand their knowledge of business leadership across industries.
Take Your Business Career Further
If you are interested in advancing your business skills, then you know earning a degree in either business administration or management can be an excellent step forward. Review the information above about the differences between business management and business administration to see which degree path will suit you better.
When you are ready to get started, reach out to Post. Learn more about applying to the programs and how you can take your first steps toward enrolling. See what the future holds with your business education.
Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly!
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s program and its outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.