Seeking to grow professionally, many people hit the hammer: investing in continuing education. However, they do not think about entering a master’s or doctorate, which are courses that prepare them for an academic career. On the contrary, they want market-oriented training. This is where a very common question arises: what is the difference between an MBA and a postgraduate degree ?
After all, it is not always clear what they are, the purpose of each, what format they both have and when to choose between one or the other. That’s why we’ve brought you a post that will definitely explain both and help you with your studies. Check out!
How does a graduate degree work?
Graduate degrees represent a category of academic-level training that is available to those who have completed an undergraduate degree — regardless of whether they have been a technologist, bachelor or licentiate — and want to have an even more qualified education at the scientific and professional levels.
It is divided into two segments: the stricto sensu and the lato sensu . The first, which includes master’s and doctoral courses , is aimed at training teachers and/or scientific researchers. That is, it is closely related to the university environment, as we mentioned in the introduction.
The second, the lato sensu, is that category focused on the evolution, updating and professional immersion of people according to their area of activity. It has, in all, three course alternatives: the MBA and the specialization .
Therefore, it is the right option for those looking to grow in the market, build a more competitive curriculum, prepare for exclusive activities in a particular type of work, gain the necessary know-how to take on more complex functions or positions, etc.
What is MBA?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a course with a minimum workload of 360 hours. It introduces you to the organizational, executive, projective, financial, accounting, personnel department, marketing and/or innovation aspects of companies and public institutions — always, of course, within your area of training.
From there, you learn through theoretical and, in particular, practical content about strategies to directly manage activities related to your area or even the sectors responsible for them. In this way, you assume a central position within the company, contributing to its success and expansion.
Is there a difference between MBA and postgraduate?
As made clear in the last two threads, the answer is no. After all, any postgraduate course that you take to obtain new academic titles is, necessarily, a graduate degree.
This goes for MBA, specialization, master’s, doctorate and medical residency. What exists, in fact, is the differentiation between these training alternatives that have different formats, workload and teaching proposals.
What is the difference between an MBA and a specialization?
Every course taken in this type of post, even if it receives another name and format, gives you the title of specialist, as its central objective is the specialization of the professional.
However, despite sharing the same central point, in practice, medical residency, MBA and specialization are very different and have been consolidated in the educational field as alternatives for opposing and diverse careers. Focusing on the last two, which are of interest in this topic, we have the following:
- the Master of Business Administration (MBA) prepares you for management activities in the corporate (private sector) and institutional (public sector) environments;
- specialization leads you to deepen your theoretical knowledge and skills in a specific area of work that is recognized and regulated within a professional category.
How to choose between the options?
You can start college to do an MBA or a specialization and, in both, have the same experiences. For example, joining an international curriculum qualification experience, producing scientific studies and research, participating in academic and professional events, networking with colleagues, professors and invited names for extension activities, etc.
Therefore, what will be a game changer to help you decide which course to take is, in fact, the professional future you dream of. If your desire is to pursue a career in one or more fields of activity in your profession with which you have an affinity, specialization is certainly the best option.
On the other hand, if your focus is to be at the head of one or more departments of a company or even, who knows, to have your own company, the MBA will be a great differential in your training.
Why continue studying after graduation?
The answer to this question goes far beyond simply valuing and extending your resume or being able to enter new fields of activity. It has to do with updating knowledge and training that professionals need to remain qualified and relevant to the market.
This is because more and more people have reflected on the importance of higher education in their careers. It is no wonder that, in 2019, according to the education census carried out by the MEC, there were 8,603,824 enrollments in higher education institutions , of which 6,523,678 were effective in those in the private network.
Therefore, with more people with degrees and a market scenario marked by the emergence of new technologies, scientific discoveries, the development of new professional activities and changes in labor laws and conventions, it is essential to continue investing in education. Only in this way can you stand out and consolidate yourself in your category of performance .
As revealed throughout the text, there is no difference between an MBA and a postgraduate degree, as the latter represents both the specializations and the MBA itself. The important thing, in fact, is to know how these courses will qualify you for the market and take you one step closer to achieving your professional goals. Therefore, be sure to invest in continuing education, regardless of your choice of training!
