What is a Master’s in Management Degree?

One constant in the business world is the need for highly qualified leaders. Organizations need strong leadership and management to provide a clear vision and sense of direction while making important decisions that impact a company’s success.

Leaders play an important role in creating a positive company culture and in employee recruitment. According to research from Zippia, 46% of job seekers list company culture as an important factor in deciding where to work, and 77% consider company culture before they apply to a new organization. This relationship between company leadership and attracting and retaining talented employees is one of the reasons companies emphasize quality leadership. 

Leadership roles attract those who can navigate the challenges and opportunities of the business world effectively. Whether professionals work as sole proprietors or as leaders of global organizations, management expertise is needed by those who aspire to promote innovation and success outcomes in the modern workplace. That’s why a Master of Science in Management degree (MSM) invites professionals who want to make a difference in how an organization is managed. 

Dr. Sukeshini Grandhi, a professor in the Department of Business Administration and coordinator of Eastern’s graduate program in Management, said that students in Eastern’s M.S. in Management program “range from fresh graduates with bachelor’s degrees to those who have worked 20 to 30 years. They come from government/state, for-profit and non-profit institutions. Students work in HR, Digital Media, onboarding at universities and colleges, as well as manufacturing, finance, teaching jobs and more.” 

She added that many students own their own business, and that one was part of a music band for the past 20 years. The flexibility of the master’s degree in management makes it a versatile program for professionals across industries and discipline areas. 

What Will I Learn in a Master’s in Management Program? 

An MSM program develops students’ academic and practical skills for solving organizational problems. Students learn how to manage diverse aspects of organizations and their workforce. All courses in Eastern’s program are designed to help students improve their skills in critical thinking, communication, quantitative reasoning and ethical reasoning. 

Every MSM program offers its own unique approach. At Eastern, the focus is on helping students learn how to evaluate complex ideas that support leadership and strategic decisions. The program also helps students use appropriate means to address stakeholders, identify and address ethical issues, and consider various perspectives when assessing the impact of decisions on individuals, society and the environment.  

While there is no one type of student for an MSM program, the curriculum is ideal for working professionals who are ready to take the next step up into a management role, as well as those currently in a leadership role who desire to further develop their management skills. It also can help a small business owner elevate their leadership skills.

Students also learn from their peers. Professor Oh said the diversity of those who enroll in the program provides for engaging conversations and debate. “What I enjoy the most in class is a discussion with students on various business cases,” she said. “From the discussion, students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can share their different thoughts and insights on many business situations, learn from each other, and grow together as experts in organizational studies.” 

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Management Degree? 

Earning an MSM can help open a variety of career options. They include positions as a project manager, management consultant, hospital administrator, human resources manager, director of operations and more. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of jobs in management occupations will increase much faster than the average for all other professions. The BLS projects that there will be one million openings per year, on average, for management positions over the next decade.  As of May 2023, the average annual salary for all management occupations was $116,880. 

Eastern’s Master of Science in Management program features a holistic, practical curriculum designed for professionals seeking to advance in a leadership role or improve their leadership and management skills within their current position. Students also can choose to concentrate their degree in healthcare management.  

The program is one of Eastern’s high quality online graduate degree programs that offers students the flexibility to pursue a degree on their own schedule. Dr. Grandhi said the program is ideal for “anyone looking to lead and manage teams in large or small organizations/businesses.”  

“Graduate students in my classes come with varying degrees of work and life experiences. When invited to participate in discussion one always (including me) learns of new perspectives and scenarios that make the course content enriching,” she added.   

National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. The information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.