Earn Your Online Master's in Management
- $627/credit (36 credits total)
- Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
- Complete in as few as 15 months, or at your own pace
- Program accredited by ACBSP
- Learn soft skills for management
- 3 industry-targeted concentrations
Master's in Management Program Overview
Effectively manage people and projects with a Master of Science in Management online degree.
This graduate degree in management seeks to equip current and aspiring managers with the people and project skills to be flexible, responsive and resilient in the face of unprecedented business challenges.
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have the opportunity to develop advanced management skills in a variety of areas and contexts. By earning your master's in management, you can become a professional who supports an organization's mission, values and goals while getting the most out of its teams, resources and processes.
In the master’s in management online courses, you’ll learn how to:
- Use methods for supporting and developing talent
- Integrate communication skills and build business relationships
- Apply critical thinking, data analysis and ethical reasoning
- Integrate project management tools
- Articulate the importance of metrics, data and financial analysis
- Encourage brand stewardship in your management approach
To specialize your knowledge even further, you can choose from 3 concentrations: construction management, emergency management and healthcare.
Concentration Options
Construction Management
Build up a skill set that helps you plan and manage aspects of the construction process when you earn your master's in construction management online concentration through the MS in Management program.
Courses may include:
- Construction Budgeting, Estimating & Bidding
- Construction Law and Contracts
- Construction Materials & Methods
- Construction Quality Management and Productivity
Emergency Management
Develop the skills that allow you to prepare for and respond to crises, natural disasters and security threats when you earn an online master's in emergency management concentration through the MS in Management program.
Courses may include:
- Applied Emergency Management
- Disaster Response and Recovery
- Emergency Planning and Preparedness
- Principles of Emergency Management
Healthcare
The healthcare industry is full of opportunity, with a strong, upward trajectory of double-digit job growth projections – more than twice the growth expected in all occupations.1
The need for well-educated professionals at the helm of that growth is more important than ever before. Healthcare management provides unique opportunities to combine the best in business standards with highly focused healthcare principles, concepts, systems and practices.
Southern New Hampshire University's Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Healthcare degree can help set you up with the people and project management skills needed to be flexible, responsive and resilient when faced with complex business challenges. At the same time, it can provide critical knowledge integral to strategic decision-making and promotion of continuous, enterprise-wide healthcare quality improvement.
The master’s in healthcare management degree program provides a dynamic fusion of vital business principles with a solid concentration in healthcare. Among the business principles you'll explore are:
- Effective business communication
- Leadership
- Organizational culture and brand
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Talent support and development
Core management courses enable graduates to embrace broad opportunities in a variety of organizations, while concentration courses allow for more focused managerial positions within healthcare.
Career outlook:
Healthcare is the largest industry in the U.S. – and the second largest employer nationwide with more than 11 million jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 18% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.1
SNHU's program continues to evolve to meet marketplace demand, helping position you for success in procuring management roles in the healthcare segment and other diverse industries.
According to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), healthcare executives are needed in many settings2, including:
- Consulting firms
- Healthcare associations
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Mental health organizations
- Public health departments
- Universities and research institutions
Courses may include:
- Health Policy and Law
- Healthcare Information Management
- Healthcare Quality
- Healthcare Reimbursement Systems and Finance
If it's a leadership position you seek, you may also be interested in a master's in healthcare administration.
Career Outlook
Today's managers are tasked with a multitude of strategic and tactical responsibilities, and the master's in management online was designed to prepare you to be an agile and adaptive leader.
And motivational leaders are needed in today's workforce. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations are expected to grow 7% – faster than the average for all occupations. That amounts to over 700,000 jobs, which may be, in part, thanks to the creation of organizations and the expansion of others.1 In addition, the median annual wage for management occupations was $105,660 in May 2019.1
This MSM degree prepares managers for an ever-changing and increasingly connected world, and the problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity you'll learn in the program could benefit any industry, including:
- Construction and manufacturing: From planning and budgeting to supervising and quality-checking, a manager in these industries must make sure the final outcome is fit for the customer.
- Corporate environments: Help keep an organization stay on track and meet its strategic business goals.
- Governmental agencies: Whether it's local, statewide or national, the diversity of needs of residents widely vary and typically need to be handled quickly.
- Healthcare organizations: Ensure that a health or medical facility can offer top care to patients by planning and directing services.
- Nonprofit institutions: Managers raise awareness and further their mission through events and fundraising.
Fields to consider managing – planning, directing, analyzing and coordinating the programs and services for – include:
- Information Technology
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Finance
- Transportation
- Marketing
- Public Administration
- Non-profits
The MS in Management is the ideal degree for individuals looking to move to that next step in their organization, into a managerial and leadership role.
Because aside from the business skills that you'll learn with your Master of Science, you'll have the opportunity to develop much-needed soft skills – the qualities that can turn a manager into an inspiring leader. Characteristics like:
- Communication: Knowing how to talk to a team and individuals – as well as understanding when it's important to hear what others are saying – can take you further.
- Problem solving: Crucial to moving business forward, this skill can help you thrive and advance in the workplace.
- Purpose: Fully understanding the "why" of your organization and living its mission can help the team better connect to the overall strategic goals.
- Trustworthiness: No one wants a micromanager, so being able to build a relationship based on transparency and motivation can help both parties do more.
- Employee recognition: By showing that you've noticed the great work your staff is doing, you build loyalty among your team and to your organization.
When you combine the job requirements of hard skills with workforce-necessary soft skills, the versatility of this master's degree is boundless.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Management Degree
Why SNHU For Your Master's in Management
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 12 graduate credits from your previous institution.
Respected
Founded in 1932, SNHU is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — which means our 200+ associate, bachelor's and master's programs meet high academic standards. In addition, many bachelor's degree programs also carry specialized programmatic accreditation. For example, SNHU's business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
To be regionally accredited, one of 7 regional accreditation organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has determined that the university meets its high academic standards and expectations. Most nonprofit institutions are regionally accredited.
In addition, Southern New Hampshire University has been nationally recognized for its efforts to lead the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.3 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials — with no GRE or GMAT required.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.
How to Apply
Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions, and walk you through the application process, which includes:
- Completing a graduate application
- Providing undergraduate transcripts
Courses & Curriculum
Focus on management, support and development of people in the real world with the online MS in Management curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy, science and practice of effective management.
The MSM degree curriculum is a balanced mixture of conflict negotiation, project and people management and strategic leadership. A blend of management across multiple areas can give learners a holistic, managerial experience adaptable to any industry.
The program consists of 8 core courses that focus on such crucial leadership topics as:
- Communication
- Culture
- Decision making
- Human behavior
- Project management
- Research
You then have the option to choose 4 elective courses in the general management track, or specialize your degree with courses that ladder up to one of 3 concentrations:
- Construction management: Analyze projects within various industries to plan, implement and manage critical aspects of the construction process.
- Emergency management: Evaluate crisis, emergency and disaster management strategies to plan, prepare and respond to critical threats and events.
- Healthcare: Navigate the intersection of healthcare finance and reimbursement, policy and information management in modeling strategic decision-making that promotes continuous healthcare quality improvement within organizations.
For students who have little or no business background, we can help set you up for success with a Business Foundations course prior to starting the program. This class gives you the tools you need to better understand basic business terms, finance and market concepts.
Overall, the curriculum focuses on developing your leadership skills to help you assess a variety of situations, make critical decisions and strategically address the ever-increasing demand to "do more with less." The end result: reflective practitioners who are competent, lifelong learners in their approach to management in a wide variety of fields and industries.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| MS in Management |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| MS in Management Online | ||
| MGT 510 | Cultivating Organizational Culture | Business leaders are responsible for cultivating, maintaining, and fostering an organizational culture that accurately represents the organization internally and externally, encourages and supports people, and holds organizational members accountable to the vision, mission, and goals of a business. This course provides students with the skills, theories, and practices necessary to identify a strong culture that permeates the ethics, decision-making, and behaviors of the organization. Students will work through advanced cases and apply these experiences to their own learning and organizations. |
| MGT 600 | Resource Planning and Decision Making | This course serves as an advanced exploration into ill-structured situations requiring strategic plans and effective resource management. Students are asked to develop strategies around personnel management, budget allocation, performance metrics, and goal setting. This course prepares students for the advanced concentration courses in their area and serves as a precursor to the integrated capstone experience. |
| MGT 701 | Critical Issues in Management Capstone | This capstone course is the culminating experience for the M.S. in Management program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements. |
| OL 500 | Human Behavior in Organizations | This course is a study of individuals and groups and their interaction. Students examine theories of motivation, communication, leadership, power and change with practical relation to contemporary issues. They also study organizations for key design variables and reward systems aimed at improved performance and organizational efficiency through employee motivational programs, participative management and cooperative decision making. |
| OL 600 | Strategic Human Resource Management | Examine key regulatory procedures and human resource requirements as they relate to applications in organizations. Analyze the strategic role of the human resource manager in performing functions of recruitment, hiring, training, career development and other contemporary processes within the organizational setting. Study concepts aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK). |
| QSO 500 | Business Research | This course presents an overview of the various primary and secondary research methodologies used in the business world and the application of statistical techniques to those strategies. The focus of this course is the design and execution of a practical, primary research. It is recommended that this course be one of the first three taken in degree programs in which it is required. |
| QSO 640 | Project Management | This course includes the study of concepts, tools, and practices of project management. The course adopts a managerial process approach to Project Management, which consists of initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing the project. Major topics will include project scope, project time, project cost, project quality, project risk, project resources, project communications and how to be an effective project manager. Cases are utilized to integrate the learning in the course and provide decision- making experience for the student. |
| Total Credits: 36 | ||
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Graduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 15 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $1,881 | $627 | $9,405 |
|
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) |
$1,410 | $470 | $7,050 |
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is master's in management studies?
A master’s in management studies gives current and aspiring managers the skills they need to be flexible and responsive leaders in the face of evolving business challenges.
A management master’s degree can prepare you to assess management issues, think critically to make important decisions and strategically lead others toward a common goal.
You’ll learn how to develop talent and grow teams, guide organizational change and build relationships across an organization. You’ll also explore how to track business performance and measure key financial metrics to make data-driven decisions.
With concentrations in construction management, emergency management and healthcare management, this master’s degree in management can equip you with industry-specific skills that prepare you to lead in these fields.
Why study management?
Earning a management degree can prepare you to take on a new leadership role, expand your knowledge to grow in a current management job or help you stand out when applying for a new position or promotion.
Earning a master’s in management also has the potential to boost your pay and further your career in a growing field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for management occupations was $105,660 in May 2019.1 On average, workers with a master’s degree earn more than their peers with a bachelor’s degree. In 2019, master’s degree holders earned a median weekly salary of $1,497, compared to $1,248 for bachelor’s degree holders – an almost 20% pay increase.1
What kind of jobs can I get with a master's in management?
A manager oversees the productivity and interpersonal relationships of a working group and are usually responsible for supporting both the day-to-day operations and the long-term strategic goals of an organization.
A graduate degree in management will provide the key organizational and logistical skills you need to be an agile and adaptive leader across a variety of organizations and industries.
The critical-thinking skills you’ll learn in SNHU’s online master's in management program can help you land management positions in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, public and private organizations, and startups or global institutions.
Jobs for management master’s degree holders1 may include:
- Advertising, promotions and marketing managers: Coordinate with various departments to produce marketing and advertising campaigns and conduct market research to promote a product or service. 2019 median pay, according to BLS: $135,900.
- Construction managers: Plan, coordinate and supervise construction projects from start to finish, including preparing cost estimates, tracking spending and collaborating with architects, designers and clients. 2019 median pay, according to BLS: $95,260.
- Emergency management directors: Plan, prepare for and lead the response to natural disasters and other emergencies in coordination with public safety officials, elected officials, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. 2019 median pay, according to BLS: $74,590.
- Human resources managers: Oversee the recruiting, interviewing and hiring of new staff, consult with top executives on strategic planning, and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees. 2019 median pay, according to BLS: $116,720.
- Medical and health services managers: Plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services, including the management of finances, regulatory compliance and facility staff. 2019 median pay, according to BLS: $100,980.
According to BLS, management jobs are projected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, resulting in about 706,900 new jobs.1
What is the difference between an MBA and a master's in management?
Both a master’s degree in management and an MBA can prepare you to take on a leadership position across many industries, but the two degree programs do vary in their course offerings.
In SNHU’s master’s in management degree program, the emphasis is placed on the philosophy, science and practice of effective management. Courses focus on decision-making, human behavior, corporate communications and project management.
MBA degree programs place more emphasis on general business skills, exploring themes like ethics, communication and social responsibility. MBA courses include financial analysis, business law, economics, statistics and operations management, in addition to specific management courses.
At SNHU, MBA concentrations are available to dive deeper into specific fields of management, including healthcare management, engineering management, supply chain management and human resource management.
This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator.
Related Articles
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3)
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/emergency-management-directors.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes111021.htm (viewed Aug. 7, 2020)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2 American College of Healthcare Executives, "Your Career as a Healthcare Executive," on the internet, at https://www.ache.org/career-resource-center/special-groups/resources-for-students-and-early-careerists/your-career-as-a-healthcare-executive (viewed Jan. 24, 2020)
3 According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.