Online Master’s in Management MS Degree Program

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. It can prepare you to assess management issues, think critically to make important decisions and strategically lead others toward a common goal.

In a Master of Science in Management program, 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, a master’s degree in management from SNHU can equip you with industry-specific skills that prepare you to lead in these fields.

At SNHU, we offer 3 MS in Management concentration options, each built to fit your desired career track. They are:

Construction management: There's a growing need for business development managers and construction managers with specialized skillsets in planning and coordinating project budgets, as well as monitoring compliance with safety codes and regulations.

The construction management concentration at Southern New Hampshire University is unique in that it's highly focused on practical application. Students are taken on a journey that begins with detailing the schedule, scope and cost of a project to comparing construction materials, methods and equipment.

Along the way, the inclusion of real-world case studies brings the course to life for learners as they explore quality control processes, construction law, and risk assessment as essential components developed to prepare students for work in the field.

Emergency management: This concentration gives graduates the tools and education they need to develop and navigate crisis management plans for an organization. Disaster response and recovery is an essential component to the curriculum. It builds necessary skills, such as collaboration and communication skills with multiple stakeholders – including critical incident stress with the public.

Healthcare: This concentration empowers graduates to succeed as managers in healthcare – another high-demand field.

The curriculum for the healthcare concentration at SNHU was developed by experienced healthcare industry professionals who understand the challenges today's leaders face. You'll learn specialized skills to help prepare you for leadership in areas such as clinical services, health and wellness, healthcare operations, public relations and business development.

"Being a healthcare leader comes with its own unique challenges," said Cera Wilson '21. "Often we are scientists by trade, trying to understand business perspectives and principles. Even more so, healthcare finance, laws and policies are unique. This program is a great opportunity to grow oneself as a leader and a healthcare provider."

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. 

“Through education, managers can build knowledge that will help in the decision-making process. Managers can learn the theoretical framework that will then get applied on the job,” said SNHU career advisor Rich Grant. “Master’s degrees can be a way to hone a manager’s grasp of the industry and business functions for an organization.”

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 $116,880 in May 2023.¹ On average, workers with a master’s degree earn more than their peers with a bachelor’s degree. In 2023, master’s degree holders earned a median weekly salary of $1,737, compared to $1,493 for bachelor’s degree holders – a 16% difference.¹

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 master's 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Medical and health services managers: Plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services, including the management of finances, regulatory compliance and facility staff.
  

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, online MBA concentrations are available to dive deeper into specific fields of management, including:

• MBA in Healthcare Management
• MBA in Engineering Management
• MBA in Supply Chain Management
• MBA in Human Resource Management