Discover how a specialized master’s degree can help accelerate your career and build focused business expertise.
The Value of a Specialized Degree
Unlike broader business graduate degrees such as the MBA, specialized master’s programs like the Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) provide focused expertise, flexible learning options and career-relevant skills tailored to today’s business environment.
1. Shorter duration
Specialized master’s programs often require less time to complete than traditional business degrees. For example, while an MBA usually spans two years for full-time students, our Master of Management program is structured to accommodate working professionals with a part-time schedule, requiring only 30 credit hours, versus 40 or 54 for the Online MBA and Full-Time MBA, respectively.
2. Focused expertise
These programs are ideal for students aiming to develop specialized skills within specific industries such as analytics, providing depth in areas directly relevant to their career aspirations. The coursework in specialized programs is tailored to develop expertise in a targeted field, equipping graduates with advanced competencies in sectors like risk management.
Our Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program builds core competencies in critical thinking and analytics – applying these to the area of risk management to prepare graduates for a variety of strategic leadership roles.
3. No experience required
Specialized master’s degrees are accessible to both recent graduates and seasoned professionals. These programs do not typically require prior professional experience, making them suitable for those just starting their careers as well as established professionals seeking to pivot or advance in their fields.
“An MBA felt too broad for what I wanted to achieve. For me, the MRA program helps me target what I want to achieve in my current position with PNC, as well as some of the in-demand analytics skills.”
Mindy Cine
Internal Auditor, PNC Bank
4. Strong career outlook
Graduates of specialized master’s programs develop in-demand skills that help them stand out in today’s competitive job market. The Master of Management, Risk and Analytics program was designed to meet the growing demand for professionals with expertise in analytics, enterprise risk management and strategic business decision-making.
One of the most common reasons professionals pursue a graduate degree is to build their network. Depending on the program, a graduate degree can be a great way to meet peers with similar and unfamiliar backgrounds alike — which can help students advance in their current field or branch into new fields or industries.
Despite being an online program, NC State’s Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) proudly offers its students various ways to engage with peers and industry professionals. Students can take select synchronous (live) online classes — or even hybrid classes with in-person sessions — providing ample opportunities to engage with program peers, faculty, and even students from other Jenkins Graduate Programs. Our program staff also hosts virtual and in-person career and social events each semester.
MBA vs. Specialized Master’s: A Side-by-Side Comparison
MBA programs remain popular among business professionals, but interest in specialized master’s degrees continues to grow as students seek focused expertise and career-specific skills. Choosing the right program depends on your professional goals, industry interests and desired career path.
Specialized master’s programs are often more cost-effective than traditional MBA programs due to their shorter duration and focused curriculum. Students can build targeted business expertise while potentially reducing both time commitment and overall educational costs.
These advantages make specialized graduate programs an attractive option for professionals seeking career advancement and focused industry knowledge.
Is a specialized master’s right for you?
For students set on focusing their career in risk management, and who want to dive deeper into big data, Poole College’s Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) is a win-win: a program tailored to their unique career path along with a shorter time commitment and a potentially quicker return on investment.
