Confused about business management and administration degrees? Learn the difference in curriculum and career pathways to decide which program best suits you.
When pursuing different concentrations in business, it’s easy to come across degrees and wonder what the difference between them is. In particular, business management and administration sound similar but have core differences in curriculum and career outcomes.
What is business administration?
Business administration encompasses the study of business operations and leadership, often within specific industries, roles, or concentrations within corporations. Pursuing a degree in business administration provides individuals with essential leadership and analytical skills needed in today’s business landscape. Graduates are ready to take on diverse roles within organizations, from human resource management to health care administration. These programs may offer specialized concentrations tailored to industries, ensuring graduates possess industry-relevant expertise.
By providing a firm grasp of organizational dynamics and strategic decision-making, business administration programs create adaptable professionals capable of effectively contributing to the success of various organizations in a rapidly evolving business world.
What is business management?
Business management is the process of organizing and managing a company’s resources, including staff, revenue, information, and more. Business management centers around supervising both individual employees and large projects.
Business management involves the comprehensive coordination and oversight of a company’s diverse resources, such as personnel, revenue, information, and more. This process centers on supervising individual employees and orchestrating expansive projects, ensuring resources are used effectively. Business managers make strategic decisions that drive an organization’s success and expansion. To succeed in this role, a solid grasp of organizational dynamics and proficient leadership strategies is crucial.
By navigating complex operational landscapes and guiding teams toward collective goals, business managers significantly contribute to maintaining a company’s competitive edge. Their ability to adapt, strategize, and lead is paramount in shaping the future success of the organization.
The difference between business management and business administration
The pivotal distinction lies in their focal points:
Business Administration:
- Delves into specialized technical aspects and offers concentration options tailored to individual industries or preferred managerial roles.
- Primarily addresses business strategy, operations, and industry-specific insights.
- Provides in-depth knowledge of financial management practices.
Business Management:
- Concentrates on the human and organizational elements of business, emphasizing effective leadership and coordination.
- Prioritizes effective leadership skills and interpersonal communication strategies.
- Promotes comprehensive project management expertise.
Careers in business administration and management
Graduating with a degree in either business management or business administration will lead to a variety of career paths in the business world. Specific jobs in business administration and management include:
- Finance roles, such as auditor, analyst, or accountant
- Marketing roles in areas such as research and analysis
- Sales manager or director
- Nonprofit roles, including executive director and strategic consultant
- Education jobs, including dean of student services and advancement director
- Human resources roles such as HR manager or analyst
- Entrepreneur
Pacific Oaks’ B.S. in Business Administration: A Distinctive Path:
Pacific Oaks College offers a unique B.S. in Business Administration program designed to provide analytical training that can prepare students for a larger variety of positions than traditional business programs.
At Pacific Oaks, we believe that successful organizations are built by leaders with analytical training, skills, and self-awareness. Our business programs combine business, leadership theory, and management development to apply directly to organizational settings and needs. To learn more about our business and management programs, visit our program page or request more information below.
