Specialized Master’s Advantage

The Value of a Specialized Degree

While not as common as more comprehensive graduate business degrees like the Master of Business Administration (MBA), specialized master’s degree programs like the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) can be a more valuable option for some students for the following six reasons. 

1. Shorter length

Specialized master’s degrees are often quicker to complete than other graduate business degrees. Compared to an MBA, which typically takes full-time students two years to complete, our Master of Management degree can be knocked out within the same timeframe—but at a part-time pace for working professionals. 

The Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program curriculum is 30 credit hours, compared to 40 and 54 for the Online MBA and Full-Time MBA programs, respectively.

2. Deeper expertise 

For prospective students interested in a career path in a particular field, a specialized master’s degree can be a great option. Such programs offer niche concentrations in in-demand fields like analytics – making them a good fit for those interested in acquiring a specific skill set. 

Specialized master’s programs may incorporate some foundational knowledge across all business sectors, but the bulk of the coursework generally pertains to one field, making graduates experts in their particular area of focus.

Our Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program builds core competencies in management, critical thinking and analytics – applying these to the areas of marketing to prepare graduates for a variety of strategic leadership roles.

3. No work experience required

While programs like the Master of Business Administration (MBA) generally only admit working professionals with a few years of work experience under their belts, specialized master’s programs attract recent college graduates looking to sharpen their business skills before jumping into their careers. 

At Poole College, the Master of Management degree is well-suited for both. 

Whether it’s a senior leader wanting to keep pace with a shifting industry, someone who’s identified a particular space they want to break into or an individual seeking an advancement opportunity, working professionals can build the foundation needed to take their next steps.

4. Promising career outlook

In an increasingly competitive job market, graduates of specialized master’s degree programs are well-positioned to distinguish themselves from their peers who lack graduate degrees — and as experts in their chosen field.

Moreover, specialized master’s degree programs are generally created in response to demand from industry — meaning graduates can have the confidence of knowing their newly acquired skills are being heavily sought by employers.

The Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program was designed specifically in response to employers’ need for expertise in marketing and analytics. 

5. Networking opportunities

One of the most common reasons professionals pursue a graduate degree is to build their network. Depending on the program, a graduate degree can be a great way to meet peers with similar and unfamiliar backgrounds alike — which can help students advance in their current field or branch into new fields or industries. 

Despite being an online program, the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program at NC State is proud to offer its students various ways to engage with peers and industry professionals. Students can take hybrid classes with in-person sessions — providing ample opportunities to engage with program peers, faculty, and even students from other Jenkins Graduate Programs. Our program staff also hosts virtual and in-person career and social events each semester.  

6. Lower cost

While a specialized master’s program also provides great returns, it is often a more affordable route to career success. While tuition varies from program to program, specialized master’s programs are generally (and sometimes significantly) less expensive than an MBA program.

When factoring in the comparatively shorter length and lower cost of an MBA — as well as the fact that a specialized master’s degree is generally relevant to all position levels (entry-level to senior management) — it’s easy to see how these degrees can be more desirable.