Best online master’s in management 2021: Top picks | ZDNet

In a master’s in management program, students learn to administer and organize people, resources, and processes within businesses and organizations. A degree in management provides essential training in how to optimize an organization’s performance and profits while building communication, technical, and analytics skills. 

Managers work as leaders in the manufacturing, service, and information technology industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management positions are projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, adding more than 900,000 jobs. 

Keep reading to see ZDNet’s top pics for the best online master’s in management programs that fit your personal and professional goals. 

The best online master’s in management degrees

ZDNet’s ranking methodology takes cost, curricula, reputation, and overall outcome into consideration to create this guide to the best online management master’s degrees. 

Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

What to expect in an online master’s in management degree program

Because management degrees vary significantly in scope and emphasis, they provide opportunities for learners to study specific topics through concentrations that relate to their professional goals. 

Management master’s degrees include one or two years of coursework and practical requirements. Students explore management fundamentals like business ethics, finance, and human resources through lecture classes, group assignments, and exams. Management programs also integrate research methods, statistics, and data analysis courses. These programs often culminate with internship and capstone requirements.

An online master’s degree in management requires dedication, commitment, and active engagement with classmates and instructors. Here’s a look at some of the courses you might take in an online master’s degree in management.

Master’s in management courses

No two management degrees are the same, but there are some classes that remain consistent across management programs. Classes in organizational strategy, project management, finance and budgeting, and quantitative research serve as the backbone of a management master’s degree.

Quantitative analysis for managers

Coursework in quantitative analysis trains students to form research questions, conduct data-based research, and assess information using statistical models and tools. Topics include probability, sampling, statistical inference, and risk analysis.

Theory and practice of organizational behavior

By exploring organizational theories in an increasingly global society, theory and practice of organizational behavior coursework provides insight into decision-making and leadership in the marketplace. Topics include organizational ethics, social responsibility, and diversity within organizations. 

Fundamentals of project management

A course in the fundamentals of project management guides students through the lifecycle of a project. Learners learn about project development, resource and time management, interpersonal communication, and quality control while carrying out a project from start to finish. 

Financial decision making for managers

With an emphasis on accounting and economics, classes in financial decision-making introduce students to concepts like opportunity costs, time and money valuation, and financial analysis. Additional topics include costing procedures, cash flow techniques, and product pricing.

Management degree levels

To enter the field of management, students can earn an undergraduate degree. Individuals who already have a degree can start a graduate program in management, which accommodates learners with work experience and helps them advance their careers.

Associate in management

• Length: Two years
• Cost: $3,000-$12,000
• Post-grad careers: Office manager, administrative assistant, retail store manager

An associate degree in management includes two years of coursework in business, communication, and information technology. Students learn the basics of accounting, finance, and writing for business while training to use computer software and hardware found in business settings.

With an associate degree in management, learners can pursue entry-level roles in corporate and business offices, marketing and human resource departments, and retail management. A management associate degree also sets the foundation to continue onto a bachelor’s degree in management or a related field. 

Bachelor’s in management

• Length: Four years
• Cost: $10,000-$80,000
• Post-grad careers: Sales manager, finance manager, business analyst

Through four years of general education and major coursework, a management major learns the fundamentals of accounting, economic, business ethics, and data analytics. If students pursue a bachelor of science in management, the program will emphasize the technological aspects of management. A bachelor of arts integrates more humanities coursework in the curriculum.

Many bachelor’s degrees in management allow learners to choose a specialization such as finance, supply chain management, agribusiness, or entrepreneurship. At the end of a management degree, students often complete an internship and capstone requirement.

Master’s in management

• Length: Two years
• Cost: $8,000-$$100,000
• Post-grad careers: Business development manager, senior project manager, management consultant

A master’s in management program includes two years of coursework. Whether students pursue a master of science or a master of arts in management, they complete coursework in topics such as organizational behavior, data analysis, finance, and project management. 

A master’s degree in management often provides specialization options for students. Areas of emphasis include marketing, business administration, healthcare, and information technology. 

With a management master’s degree, individuals can pursue administrative, executive, and leadership roles in business, manufacturing, education, and information services. 

Doctorate in management

• Length: Three to five years
• Cost: $30,000-$120,000
• Post-grad careers: Chief executive officer, management professor, management researcher 

A doctorate in management trains students to explore practical aspects of management through theoretical and data-driven analysis. Students learn to address and remedy managerial challenges and issues through case studies, collaborative projects, and seminars. 

After completion of comprehensive exams, learners advance to the final stage of a doctorate in management program. This involves in-depth research on a specific question or issue of management and the production of a dissertation. 

In conclusion

Managers lead people and organizations, allocate resources and services, and drive innovation in organizations and companies around the world. If a master’s in management sounds like a degree for you, check out the schools on this page to find out more.