Is the purpose of a management course is to teach students about management or to be managers?

A management course teaches students the principles of management. These principles may include organizational structure and design, human resources, addressing employee issues, marketing, and leadership. Typically, a management course prepares a student for a position in management.

However, many individuals view management as leadership, and these two terms are not synonymous. A manager may or may not be a leader, and a leader may or may not be a manager. The Harvard Business Review outlined three distinctions between managers and a leaders. First, a manager counts value, such as inventory, whereas a leader creates value. A leader creates value by allowing autonomy in the work group. Second, a manager has circles of power. A manager has contacts that create power within the organization or within the work group. A leader has contacts that create influence within and outside the organization and the industry. Managers receive advice from those to whom they report. Leaders receive advice from others beside their direct superiors. Third, managers manage work. Managers are often task focused, meeting deadlines and quotas. Leaders are interested in developing talent, influence and motivate others. 

In general, management courses do teach students how to become managers. However, management courses may or may not teach students how to become leaders.  Nevertheless, the intent of most management programs is to create future leaders in their field.