Going to graduate school isn\u2019t always about quenching a thirst for knowledge. Sometimes, it\u2019s simply about acquiring the degree you need to boost your income or qualify for a promotion. If you\u2019re looking at graduate school more as a means to an end than as an intellectual journey, then you may be looking for an easier path to a degree. While all master\u2019s degree programs include challenging graduate-level coursework, some of the easiest graduate degree options in business include the programs with the broadest curricula, the degrees that take the least time to earn and non-thesis track programs.<\/p>\n
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, the most popular graduate degree in business, is also among the broadest fields of study you will find at the graduate level. Like their undergraduate counterpart, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, the curriculum of MBA degrees incorporates studies in different areas of business so that students develop a well-rounded, big-picture perspective on how businesses operate. Your coursework in an MBA program might include studies in leadership and teamwork, marketing management, advanced managerial economics, management communication, operations strategy, financial accounting and corporate finance.<\/p>\n
RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MBA degree programs typically offer specializations or concentrations that allow students to focus their education somewhat, despite still taking this coursework in a broad scope of business studies. The specialization or concentration you choose in your MBA program affects its level of difficulty.<\/p>\n The general consensus is that math-focused MBA specializations, like finance and accounting, are among the most difficult. They require more coursework in mathematical or analytical areas of study. Specializations in management, human resources and marketing are typically easier fields of study in that they don\u2019t have such extensive mathematics and quantitative analysis requirements. Instead, your in-depth studies would revolve around learning management styles and strategies, cultivating skills in recruiting and training workers or developing promotional campaigns and materials, respectively. Perhaps the broadest degree option out there is an MBA with a general business specialization.<\/p>\n Another graduate program with a broad curriculum is the Master of Science (MS) in Management. Although MS management programs are more specialized than MBA programs, their focus is to develop general, versatile leadership skills. <\/strong><\/p>\n Another way to look at which programs are easiest is to consider how long it will take to earn the degree. Master\u2019s degrees traditionally require two years of full-time study, and MBA degree programs that follow a conventional structure are no different. However, some graduate degree programs in business require only one year of study<\/a>.<\/p>\n RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Many Master of Finance degree programs are structured this way, according to U.S. News & World Report<\/a>. Students can also find Master of Science in Human Resource Management<\/a> programs \u2013 including programs that align with the Society for Human Resource Management\u2019s curriculum guidelines \u2013 that can be completed in just 12 months. Many Master of Accounting<\/a> programs are designed to be completed in one year, to help students meet the five-year education requirement to attain a certified public accountant (CPA) license. Of course, students should be aware that specialized coursework is often more in-depth, technical and advanced than you would find in a more general program. It is important to weigh the options when deciding which degree sounds easiest to you personally.<\/p>\n What makes these specialized graduate business programs so much shorter than a traditional MBA option is usually a much smaller credit requirement. While some MBA programs require as many as 60 college credits, other graduate business programs require just 30 or so credits (and some, even fewer credits). If you\u2019re looking for an easier option but you still want to go for your MBA, look for MBA programs that require fewer credits to graduate.<\/p>\n Prospective students should know that just because a program is faster doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it is easier. Accelerated programs that condense two years\u2019 worth of work into a single year of study include an intensive workload. <\/strong><\/p>\n Traditionally, one of the most challenging parts of earning a master\u2019s degree is writing your master\u2019s thesis. Writing a thesis \u2013 typically, an academic research paper up to 100 pages or longer \u2013 can be a valuable experience for some graduate business students. However, it doesn\u2019t align with the goals of many business students, especially those whose interests are primarily professional rather than academic. As a result, there are thesis-track MBAs<\/a> and other graduate business degrees as well as non-thesis tracks<\/a>. Often, a single business school will offer both degree options. Having the option to waive the thesis requirement certainly makes a graduate degree program easier.<\/p>\n If you opt for a non-thesis MBA option, you may have to meet other academic requirements to graduate, instead. For example, some <\/strong>graduate schools<\/strong><\/a> require students to pass a comprehensive examination if they are in a non-thesis program.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Additional Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n What Are the Easiest Degrees to Get in Business?<\/a><\/p>\n What Is the Fastest School for an MBA?<\/a><\/p>\n What Is the Fastest School for a Master of Finance Degree?<\/a><\/p>\n Do I Have to Write a Thesis to Earn a Master\u2019s Degree?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\nThe Fastest Graduate Degrees in Business<\/h2>\n
Non-Thesis Business Master\u2019s Degrees<\/h2>\n