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As a working professional evaluating your next credential, you likely encounter two business paths — Business Administration and Business Management. While they overlap in many ways, there are meaningful differences in focus, curriculum and outcomes. Understanding those differences helps you pick the path at CalMU that aligns with your goals, experience and schedule.

Defining the Terms

• Business Administration generally refers to overseeing and coordinating the operations of a business — finance, marketing, HR, process improvement and ensuring the business runs efficiently (WGU, 2023).
• Business Management often emphasizes leadership, strategic direction, planning and guiding teams rather than just managing daily operations (Champlain College Online, 2023; Indeed, 2025).

Key Differences in Focus, Curriculum & Outcomes

Here’s a distilled comparison of key dimensions:

Why This Matters for Working Adults

• Experience and Goals: If you already have experience in a particular function (e.g., marketing, HR, finance) and want to deepen that, a Business Administration path might fit. If you’re aiming to lead teams, influence strategy and broaden scope, Business Management may be better.
• Time, ROI and Flexibility: Leadership-oriented roles (management path) may offer higher potential ROI but often need broader skills and credentials (Champlain College Online, 2023).
• Program Fit: As a working adult, you’ll want flexible delivery (online/hybrid), relevant curriculum and provider understanding your schedule and experience.
• Market Alignment: Consider your region/industry demand and what employers are asking for—whether they are looking for operational specialists or strategic leaders.

How CalMU Programs Serve Working Adults

At CalMU, you’ll find credentials tailored for working adults:

• Associate of Science in Business Administration: Ideal if you’re starting out or pivoting into business and want solid foundational business skills and functional understanding.
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Builds on foundational skills and offers specializations (marketing, finance, operations). Well suited if you have several years of work experience and want to formalize or advance your expertise.
• Master of Science in Business Administration: Built for those looking to excel and surpass foundational skills offered in undergraduate degrees. This program is meant for leaders with numerous years in the professional field, or those looking to take action as entrepreneurs.
• Certificate or Graduate-level paths (where applicable): If you are already in a management track and want to upskill in leadership, strategy or specialized business domains.

CalMU supports working adults through online or hybrid delivery, curriculum grounded in real-world application, faculty experienced in adult learning and supportive advising and career services tailored to adult learners.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Choosing between Business Administration and Business Management comes down to where you want to be in five years, what you’re doing now, and which credential fits your lifestyle and goals. If you prefer operational depth, functional specialization and want to build from the ground up, go the administration route. If you’re looking to lead teams, set strategy and move into broader roles, a management path may be the way.

At CalMU we encourage you to speak with our admissions and academic advisers — review curricula, ask about delivery format, flexibility, how your work experience transfers in, and map your potential ROI. A credential aligned with your goals and schedule can make a meaningful difference.