INTRODUCTION
Business degrees are some of the most popular, according to the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES), and for good reason.
Business expertise is in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*,
business and financial occupations are projected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, faster than
the average for all occupations.
But which business degree is right for you? We compare business administration vs.
business management to determine the similarities and differences.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Business administration includes general business operations such as accounting,
economics, human resources, management, marketing and other business functions.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COURSES
A degree in business administration typically exposes students to a selection of courses
that cover core business subjects, such as business law and ethics, marketing, management,
finance, economics and accounting. Other subjects may include strategic management,
management information or decision support systems, organizational behavior and
operations research.
In Florida Tech’s MBA program, Organizational Behavior is commonly highlighted by
students because it covers real-world topics. Wade Phipps, MBA, says, “Organizational
Behavior was my favorite class because it showed me how to navigate the business world,
specifically working with employees and making sure they have what they need to be
successful. That ultimately helps you as a leader and as an administrator become the best
that you can be by providing that and being that support for them. I was able to see firsthand
how some of the things that I was learning about, such as how to best take care of your
employees, could be applied in my job.”
Students often complete core courses across these various subject areas and then choose a
particular subject as a focal point or area of specialization, such as accounting, finance,
entrepreneurship, management, marketing, business computer applications or business
economics. Students then go on to complete additional coursework in this area of study,
developing a high level of expertise in the subject.
According to Dr. Christian Sonnenberg, Associate Dean of Online and Off-Campus
Programs at Florida Tech, an MBA with a specialization allows students to tailor their
MBA towards a specific industry:
“Each specialization is unique and has its own track of elective courses tailored to that
field. For example, the MBA in Healthcare Management includes courses on policy, IT,
legal issues, planning, and marketing within the healthcare space. Once they graduate, their
diploma reflects this specialization allowing employers to easily identify and appreciate
that student’s commitment to the field.”
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAMS
Business administration degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate level. The
depth and variety of business topics covered depend on the degree. Here are a few examples
of business administration degrees:
Associate of Arts in Business Administration: the AA in Business Administration typically
provides an overview of core business concepts combined with liberal arts coursework.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: the BA in Business Administration is more
comprehensive, offering introductory and advanced courses in business topics such as
accounting, management, economics, marketing and organizational behavior. Students
may also have the opportunity to specialize in an area like management or marketing
depending on what the university offers.
Master of Business Administration: the MBA is one of the most popular graduate degree
programs, according to the NCES. The core business topics of a bachelor’s degree are
covered in a more advanced format. In addition, entrepreneurship, leadership and
management courses are often part of an MBA program. An MBA program might also
have the opportunity for students to specialize in their industry, such as healthcare or
project management.
Doctor of Business Administration: the most advanced business administration, the DBA
can either be more research-focused or professional-focused depending on the program.
Advanced, specialized topics such as corporate finance, quantitative research methods and
strategic management are often part of DBA programs.
Business Administration
A business administration program provides the foundation for a variety of career paths.
While the jobs available depend on the level of degree earned, a few business
administration jobs include:
 Financial analyst
 Benefits administrator
 Budget analyst
 Marketing manager
Business administration has led to a variety of career paths for Florida Tech grads. Kim
Blais, who earned her business administration degrees online from Florida Tech, used her
education to advance in a global hospitality company.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Business management degree programs have more of a focus on management, leadership,
human resources and personnel operations. Topics are more focused on the organization,
analysis and planning of business operations.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS
Similar to business administration, there are business management degrees available at the
undergraduate and graduate level.
Associate of Arts in Business Management: the AA in Business Management provides an
introduction to management topics, including business ethics, project management,
economics and human resources.
Bachelor of Arts Business Management: the BA in Business Management has more depth
and scope than the AA, with courses in business law, entrepreneurship, business research
and leadership.
Master of Arts Business Management: providing even more depth into business
management topics, the MA in Business Management is more focused on strictly
management topics compared to the MBA. Negotiation, leadership, teamwork, project
management and research are all potential topics covered in this degree program.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COURSES
Students in business management programs often take many of the same core business
courses as business administration students, but they may also take courses in other
subjects such as communications, logistics, purchasing and administrative practices. In
addition, they may take additional coursework focused on topics like:
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Conflict resolution
Personnel development
Recruiting and retention strategies
Organizational behavior
Performance management
Strategic Management is another Florida Tech course often favored by students due to its
applicability to the business world. According to Mark Mussell, MBA in Project
Management, the course was really the “capstone to top the pyramid of knowledge
acquired” in his program:
“We were able to put our knowledge to practical use in several ways, including our class
discussions, developing realistic strategic management plans and the business strategy
simulation game. I also really liked how the course instructor pushed everyone to search
and think above and beyond the minimum required.”
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
Despite these similarities, there are key distinctions between the two degrees. At a high
level, a degree in business management typically focuses on the more authoritative aspects
of business while business administration degree programs are usually broader in scope
than business management degree programs and may encompass management functions.
A solid business education can open an array of career prospects for students, regardless
of whether they pursue a degree in administration or management. By fully understanding
the differences and similarities between business administration and business management,
individuals can select the educational path that best matches their skills, interests and career
goals.
CONCLUSION
Many people use the terms “business administration” and “business management”
interchangeably, particularly when referring to higher education degree programs.
Although the two programs are different, they share a similar core curriculum with courses
covering a broad range of business-related topics. This core curriculum provides students
with a well-rounded education and a wide range of skills, regardless of the student’s
intended area of specialization.
Both degrees will teach students how to plan business activities, organize departments and
employees, run departments and generally manage an organization. Students also learn
about the various important elements of running a business, such as logistics, business
communications and leadership skills.
REFERENCES
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
Business and Financial Occupations, on the internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/businessand-financial/home.htm (visited July 15, 2019).
National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job
conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Degree and/or certificate program
options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent
research for specific employment information.
Career Trend, “Difference Between Business Administration vs. Business Management”
Houston Chronicle, “What Is the Difference Between Business Administration & Business
Management?”
Investopedia, “Comparing Business Administration Degree vs. Finance Degree”
The Balance Careers, “Business Administration Major Career Paths”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accountants and Auditors
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations Specialists