Thread: MBA vs MS help?

I will be starting to move into more of a project management role and spending less time in the field (30% - 50% vs 90%) and I will be wrapping up my BS degree in the spring. I want to start on either an MBA or MS in project management ASAP as my current employer will reimburse at 100%. I have no chance at attending a top tier, or even a second tier MBA program because I travel so often that I have to take my classes online. There are some good MBA programs online, but not one that will make a future employer raise their eyebrows due to the name of the school. The MSPM on the other hand is a masters degree in a non-technical field witch may be pointless, however I am positive that I like managing things much more than managing people, so while I could see myself in a high level operations role, I do not plan on taking on a personnel management position, unless it was for a personally owned business.

The reasons I would choose an MSPM over an MBA is it will help get me ready for the PMP certification if I want to go for it, and I absolutely suck at learning math online. From what I read an MBA is rather math a bit more math intensive than an MSPM. Also there arent many schools that offer an MSPM so it is not subject to the same rankings that an MBA would be subject too. Of course on the other hand an MBA may be give me access to a wider option of future opportunities, regardless of what institution its from.


Any thoughts opinions, I know many of you have graduate level positions and education and thought you may have some advice.

Josh,

I didn't think MBA was math-intensive at all. There is some in accounting and finance. However, you can take only intro courses in accounting and finance, and math there shouldn't be very challenging. Some programs focus more on math, of course, but still. You can probably just choose a program and ask them for examples of math workload - then you can decide for yourself.

Didn't Harvard have an online MBA? - I thought so...

I am not rooting for MBA (even though I have one) - just trying to help you understand better the options / situation

Best of luck
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

Josh,

I didn't think MBA was math-intensive at all. There is some in accounting and finance. However, you can take only intro courses in accounting and finance, and math there shouldn't be very challenging. Some programs focus more on math, of course, but still. You can probably just choose a program and ask them for examples of math workload - then you can decide for yourself.

Didn't Harvard have an online MBA? - I thought so...

I am not rooting for MBA (even though I have one) - just trying to help you understand better the options / situation

Best of luck
Ivo

Havard has a partial online MBA, but there are a number of courses that I would have to take on campus and its just not possible with my job, I looked pretty carefully at the top 10 schools and none would work The best I would be able to go to is a top 50 or top 75 school for an MBA.

Top 50 is not too shabby?

The rankings are important, but depending on why you're getting any degree - actual learning and personal drive may get you quite far. As well as connections and stuff

I was just reading that CEOs at Fortune 500s from Harvard and Wisconsin are about equal number. Not sure of the number and precision of the quote, but you get the idea...

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

Top 50 is not too shabby?

The rankings are important, but depending on why you're getting any degree - actual learning and personal drive may get you quite far. As well as connections and stuff

I was just reading that CEOs at Fortune 500s from Harvard and Wisconsin are about equal number. Not sure of the number and precision of the quote, but you get the idea...

Cheers
Ivo

I actually already have the connections, I currently work for a fortune 100 company and worked my way up from the bottom...doing lots of favors along the way and making many friends in the process who have since been promoted. I also travel so much that I have friends all over, I also get plenty of head hunters calling me, so on the connection front, I think I am ok. I guess it comes down to the fact that the ranking of an MBA has been so drilled into my head and I know I would rather learn what is being taught on the MS, that the MBA has to be well respected once I get out or else I dont know if its worth it. I highly doubt that an MBA will teach me things I couldnt learn by doing if I was in the position to run a business or division, same thing is probably even more true of a MSPM.

The difference is the MSPM may be useless outside of operations managing processes, especially a non technical masters degree (might as well be an MBA right?) on the flip side I dont want the fact that I was traveling to count against me with an MBA if I go through all that work mostly for the piece of paper, I want to make sure it gets recognized and is appreciated.

As Ivo said, top 50 (or any accredited MBA program for that matter) isn't too bad when you have it backed up with proper connections and work experience. That's what I'd go for if I were you.