We are often asked what is the difference between the Master of Science in Business MSB degree program at Catholic University of America and an MBA? It is an excellent question and very important for prospective students to understand the value and purpose of each.
The main differences between the two degrees are an undergraduate business education and work experience:
An Overview of the MSB degree
The Master of Science in Business (MSB) degree at Catholic University is a solid, practical education taught by experienced business people that prepare the liberal arts and other recent non-business graduates to get that first job en route to a career. From day one you will work with our dedicated career services staff and faculty network. MSB students are getting great jobs and internships.
The MSB Program is designed for students who graduated with a non-business major (liberal arts, engineering, architecture, math, science, communications, economics, etc.). With a business masters degree you will be more marketable to launch your career. You will have mastered the essentials of business; the language and processes of accounting, finance, marketing, management, research and quantitative analysis.
An Overview of the MBA degree
The profile of the true MBA candidate is very different. They have a business or perhaps engineering undergraduate degree and have already worked for 4 to 6 years in business. They are ready to pursue senior management roles in a company or venture out into the entrepreneurial world.
All MBA programs are not alike. There are programs that call themselves "MBA" but do not require a business education, work experience or even the standard GRE or GMAT entrance exam. You will not find these programs at first rate MBA schools like Harvard, Penn, Virginia, MIT, or Stanford. Employers recognize and value the difference. An MBA from Harvard has quantifiable worth in the marketplace. An MBA from a second or third tier school that requires no experience is worth much less. The MBA label doesn't fool employers. Employers look behind the label to see where it was made.