First of all, a degree no longer represents the end of a person's academic life and, therefore, is no longer a differentiating factor. It has become just another prerequisite for success in the job market.
Indeed, at the end of graduation, the need arises for a lato sensu or stricto sensu specialization , which can be achieved through a postgraduate degree, master's degree, or MBA.
The fact is that each of these programs is geared towards a different target audience with different purposes. Therefore, to make your choice easier, understand now the difference between postgraduate studies, master's degrees, and MBAs.
Lato sensu e Stricto SensuWhat's the difference?
First of all, anyone aiming to pursue a specialization after graduation always comes across the terms lato sensu and stricto sensu.
These expressions refer to methodologies for courses taken after graduation and are provided for in Law 9.394/20.
Thus, the expression lato sensu , of Latin origin meaning "broad sense," is a modality aimed at expanding upon what was learned during undergraduate studies.
These courses comprise specializations of shorter duration, with a minimum duration of 360 hours or 432 class hours, according to Resolution No. 01/2018 of the National Education Council (CNE).
On the other hand, the expression stricto sensu , also of Latin origin, has a more academic character and lasts longer than other specializations, as it aims to give the professional the possibility of further narrowing down their field of activity.
Therefore, postgraduate and MBA programs are lato sensu courses , while master's and doctoral degrees follow the stricto sensu modality , as will be seen below.
Graduate
First of all, all courses that come after graduation are called postgraduate courses. Therefore, we can say that every MBA is a type of postgraduate course, but not every postgraduate course is an MBA.
It's worth noting that postgraduate studies and MBAs have the same academic weight; what actually changes is that each caters to a different audience.
For example, postgraduate programs are generally designed for an audience of people who are at the beginning of their careers and intend to reach management positions in the future.
Therefore, it is aimed at an audience that wants to expand their knowledge base, develop managerial skills, and maximize career growth opportunities.
Regarding the teaching staff, Article 9 of Resolution 01/2018 of the CNE establishes that this specialization will consist of at least 30% (thirty percent) of professors with a stricto sensu postgraduate degree , that is, masters and doctors.
MBA
The MBA ( Master in Business Administration ) is also a lato sensu postgraduate course , which is experiencing significant growth in the country.
According to the Ministry of Education , more than 325 students have chosen to pursue an MBA.
It's worth mentioning that, although an MBA has the same academic weight as a postgraduate degree, it is generally a specialization more focused on practical application in the job market.
Generally, an MBA is geared towards a more experienced audience, with more than three years of formal education. Therefore, those who wish to pursue an MBA are usually already familiar with the challenges of management and want to improve their performance in the market.
Just like postgraduate studies, the CNE also establishes that the teaching staff of MBA courses will consist of at least 30% (thirty percent) holders of a degree in
Postgraduate studies (stricto sensu).
Master's program
A master's degree is a stricto sensu program , which has a technical character and is focused on the area of research.
It is worth noting that there are two types of master's degrees: academic and professional. Both are stricto sensu specializations , but the knowledge acquired during the specialization generally has different applications.
Thus, the first type of master's degree emphasizes academic research and is geared towards training researchers and university professors. Therefore, it is a requirement for those who wish to pursue an academic career .
On the other hand, a professional Master's degree is generally aimed at people who already have professional experience.
The expectation is that the research developed during the specialization will be used to improve the professional's performance in the job market – and not just in the classroom.
Generally speaking, the choice of a master's degree depends heavily on the student's needs and their current academic stage.
Conclusion
In short, specialization courses have become increasingly sought after by students, as the job market has made it clear that a bachelor's degree is no longer a differentiating factor.
As seen, all these specializations are postgraduate courses, and students can choose according to their background and goals.
The three modalities—postgraduate studies, MBA, and Master's degrees—reach different audiences, but in general, they are academic degrees that enhance the resume of professionals who wish to build their careers with excellence.
So now that the differences between specializations have been clarified, learn about IDP's postgraduate programs and our content today to stay up-to-date on the latest news in Law, Academic Careers, and Legal Practice.
