What Can You Do With an M.S. in Management?

A master’s degree in management prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities across industries and organizational settings. By developing advanced leadership, analytical and strategic skills, this degree equips professionals to move into roles focused on team leadership and organizational improvement.

Management occupations across multiple industries are growing rapidly, with more than one million job openings projected each year. Roles with the highest projected growth include supply chain managers, operations research analysts and business analysts.

Whether advancing within a current field or transitioning into a new area of business, a master’s in management provides the versatility and foundation needed to pursue leadership positions and make a meaningful impact in today’s professional landscape. Explore the career paths, job outlook and benefits associated with earning an M.S. in Management.

What is an M.S. in Management? 

A Master’s of Science in Management is a graduate degree that prepares students with advanced knowledge of business management, organizational leadership and strategic skills. An M.S. in Management focuses on the core elements of management, such as analytics, strategic decision making, marketing and more, for learners to understand complex organizational systems. 

The online MS in Management at Abilene Christian University builds on the skills and knowledge students already possess, strengthening their organizational and management capabilities and helping them apply them in real-world scenarios. The curriculum is delivered by an expert team of faculty and allows students to personalize their degree with concentrations in business analytics, healthcare administration, international business, marketing, nonprofit leadership and operations and supply chain management. 

9 Jobs You Can Do With an M.S. in Management

From supply chain and operations to marketing, finance and consulting, this versatile degree prepares professionals to adapt to evolving business needs. Here are nine career paths students can pursue after they’ve earned their M.S. in Management. 

1. Supply Chain Manager

A supply chain manager oversees the flow and production of goods. This includes tracking and managing every detail to ensure quality products are made and delivered efficiently. Supply chain managers use data to drive decision-making and planning for cross-collaboration to optimize the overall process and reduce risk or error. This role requires adaptability, good ethical judgement and the ability to align operational decisions with business goals. The overall job outlook for a supply chain manager is positive, with a projected job growth of 17 percent by 2034 and a median salary of $80,880. 

At ACU, students can pursue an M.S. in Management with an emphasis in operations and supply chain management. This program educates students on the pivotal role operations play in every organization. Coursework will focus on strategy, inventory management, the supply chain and more to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in any industry. 

2. Operations Manager 

An operations manager helps design, manage and improve systems that produce and service within an organization. Operations managers will spend most of their time checking efficiency, quality and consistency of operations to see if they align with set goals. Analysis is used to help identify gaps within operations and can determine what changes should be made to enhance productivity or meet consumer satisfaction. Operations managers need to be adaptable to handle changing organizational needs and keep up with technological advancements. U.S. News reports that operations managers, on average, earn $102,950 a year and 4.4 percent employment growth by 2032. 

ACU’s M.S. in Management program offers an operations and supply chain management concentration that teaches students how to use analytics, marketing, strategy and management to better an organization’s overall performance. 

3.Human Resource Manager

This vital role is in charge of recruitment, training, performance management and more for organizations. Without human resource managers, schools, businesses and other types of organizations can fail to meet compliance, labor laws, uphold internal policies or meet organizational goals. To maintain legal compliance, good morale and overall employee well-being, human resource managers use data and strategy to guide workforce planning, learning and development for employee and organizational change and initiatives. 

They also serve as advisors to leadership, helping align talent management practices with long-term strategy. By emphasizing ethical decision-making, communication and collaboration, human resource managers contribute to organizational effectiveness and a healthy workplace culture.

Human resource managers are projected to see a five percent increase in jobs by 2034 and are reported to have a median salary of $140,030. 

4. Project Manager

Project managers lead initiatives from start to finish, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. This role often involves collaborating and coordinating with teams and departments, meeting and negotiating with stakeholders, managing resources and more. Effective project management is ongoing and requires careful planning, risk assessment and adaptability as the project continues to evolve. 

On average, a project manager’s median annual salary is $100,750. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also estimates a six percent increase in jobs by 2034. 

5. Management Consultant

A management consultant analyzes data and assesses organizational processes to provide accurate, evidence-based recommendations and strategies to improve performance. This is a role that requires strong analytical skills, critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex topics and ideas clearly. 

Management consultants can sometimes address issues that go beyond operations and organizational change; they can also provide insight to adjust leadership, marketing strategies and even budgeting. 

The demand for management consultants is increasing, with a projected job growth rate of nine percent by 2034. The current median annual salary for a management consultant is $101,190. 

6. Marketing Manager

When it comes to developing and executing strategies that help organizations interact and reach their target audience, the marketing manager is in charge. Marketing managers wear many hats and oversee the brand, messaging, marketing research and campaign performance to increase engagement and growth. Another important part of being a marketing manager is monitoring consumer behavior and engagement, as well as staying up to date with the latest marketing trends. 

The job growth for marketing managers is projected at six percent by 2034. The average annual salary for a marketing manager is currently $161,030. 

7. Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts rely on mathematical modeling, data analysis and optimization techniques to support decision-making for systems. They examine processes related to logistics, resource allocation, risk management and scheduling for better efficiency. Operations managers are required to bring strong analytical and communication skills to translate data for collaborators to understand and apply to their tasks. 

This is one of the fast-growing careers with a projected growth rate of 21 percent and nearly 10,000 new job openings a year. The annual median salary for an operations research analyst is $91,290. 

8. Financial Manager

Financial managers oversee the budgeting, evaluating investments, financial planning and more to maintain financial health. They use strategic thinking to develop budgets that will support organizational change and policies. Financial managers often need to be flexible and aware of market conditions and organizational priorities. 

Another fast-growing career, financial managers are projected to see a 15 percent increase in job growth by 2034, with almost 75,000 annual job openings. On average, a financial manager earns $161,700 a year.

9. Business Analyst

A business analyst bridges the gap between data, strategy and the overall operational practice. They assess organizational processes, gather requirements and analyze data to support decision-making. Being a business analyst means having communication skills, critical and analytical thinking, while understanding a business’s systems. They work with stakeholders to identify challenges and make suggestions. 

Business analysts are in high demand with a projected job growth of nine percent by 2034, with approximately 998,000 new job openings a year. The average annual salary for a business analyst is $101,190.

ACU’s online program ensures that students are proficient in business analytics skills. Students who enroll in ACU not only receive their degree but also get their certificate in business analytics. The online master’s degree also offers a business analytics concentration that provides students with a foundation in problem-solving and data analysis. 

Benefits of Having an M.S. in Management 

Having an M.S. in Management equips professionals with the ability to lead and manage effectively in today’s complex organizations and industries. The benefits of a master’s in management extend beyond career advancement, supporting long-term professional growth, adaptability and the ability to make a meaningful impact within communities and organizations. 

Rapid Career Growth 

A graduate-level degree can accelerate career advancement by providing coursework focused on analytics and decision-making that employees seek for management roles. As organizations grow more complex, individuals with advanced management training are often better positioned to take on expanded responsibilities, lead teams and build strategy. 

Networking Opportunities

Management programs can also provide students with valuable opportunities to network and meet with peers and leaders beyond the classroom. Students can engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries to get insight into their experiences and make lasting connections. 

Skill Development

Earning any form of degree supports skills development. Students earning their master’s in management build off their own knowledge and skillset and grow their leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. Beyond technical expertise, management programs cultivate adaptability, ethical reasoning and interpersonal effectiveness. These transferable skills prepare graduates to respond to change, lead diverse teams and make informed decisions in uncertain environments. As organizations continue to evolve, this balanced skill set enables professionals to remain effective throughout their careers.

Earn Your M.S. in Management with ACU

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organizations value managers who can analyze data, make strategic decisions, lead teams ethically and adapt to shifting market demands. 

At Abilene Christian University, the online format offers working adults the flexibility to earn a graduate degree while maintaining professional and personal responsibilities. Created for professionals seeking a flexible path to graduate education, this online program builds on existing experience to strengthen functional and analytical capabilities with a curriculum grounded in real-world application. 

If you’re ready to advance your management skills or looking to shift your career into management, visit our website to learn more about ACU.