DBA or MBA??

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by rashi22, Jul 9, 2011.

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  1. rashi22

    rashi22 New Member

    Hi everyone

    I just completed my masters in management. I do not have any work experience right now and wanted to know whether i should work for a few years and do an mba or just apply for a DBA program? Whats the difference between the two? PS: i do not want to get into teaching line, i would prefer entering the business world

    Thank You
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    If you just completed a Master's in management, and your goal is to work rather than to teach, then I would stop earning degrees and go look for a job.

    -=Steve=-
     
  3. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Steve raises a good point. Plus, you can always seek the DBA later after you have some OJT (on the job training) under your belt.

    Edit - I just noticed you wanted to know the difference between an MBA and DBA. An MBA is an MBA, a DBA is a Doctorate of Business.


    Abner
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 13, 2011
  4. loklok

    loklok New Member

    knowledge is free go to barnes and noble and library start a company best of luck with whatever you do though
     
  5. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Go for both.
     
  6. Daisha Moore

    Daisha Moore member

    If you want to study further and don't have any financial problem, then it's better to go for a DBA and after that do the MBA course. Or else you can do some distance MBA and work side by side, earning some money also. If you are 'on job', then online MBA is very helpful in terms of scopes for job and placement. So choice is yours, both the paths are equally beneficial.
     
  7. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    If money to pay for school is not an issue, go ahead with the DBA while also looking for work. The problem with waiting until later is that educational cost is skyrocketting; there is the likelihood that waiting until later to get a higher degree may cost a lot more (or even become unaffordable for you).

    The difference between an MBA and a DBA is that MBA is a master degree; just like your MS in Management, while DBA is a doctorate degree, which is higher than all master level degrees, and are supposed to qualify you as a specialist or authority in your field. Doctorate degree holders are qualified to teach, and they can hold high level positions of leadership; positions that master degree holders may not qualify for.

    In addition, depending on how your master's in management was structured, going for an MBA (which is also regarded as a practitioner business degree for getting into management) may mean duplication of courses; you may end up not learning anything new as MBAs are taught from "management" perspective. I Would say if you have to go for another master degree, go for something more specialized; example, accounting, finance, Information Technology, etc., depending on what area is of interest to you.

    I would also add that it's not easy to land a "real" management job (manager in charge of a functional unit versus customer account manager, for example) without first starting as a non-manager in most available jobs. In short, attending a DBA program that is offered in a face-to-face format (not online) has many advantages than duplicating a non-specialty master level degree. Goodluck with deciding...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2011
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    If you do not have experience I would recommend you look for a job before continuing. The MBA classes are great in concept but much more powerful when the theory can be applied and find what really works and does not. Find an entry level management job such as a "Manager Trainee" program at Enterprise Rental Car.
     
  9. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Nobody is going to hire a DBA without work experience.
     
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Also let's not forget that a DBA as practitioner degree and a PhD is more theoretical. While I would think a PhD could be held by someone with career experience or not (pure academic/research), a DBA would only be held by someone with significant work experience.
     
  11. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    1) Don't do the doctorate if you don't plan to teach. The DBA is technically a practitioner's degree, but you don't see a major demand for doctoral-level preparation in the business world. Unless you want to be a consultant or something similar, a DBA probably wouldn't help you that much.

    2) Don't do the MBA unless you have a very good reason to do so. I concur with Cyber that if you already have an MS in Management, the MBA will likely be quite similar.

    3) Get some work experience. In the business world, experience and proven results are more important than credentials. It is already somewhat odd that you have a degree in management without work experience. It would be absurd for you in the business world to have multiple business degrees without work experience.
     
  12. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    Go get a job man. With the re-recession, you need that(job) more than a useless Degree from one of these super-expensive businesses.
     
  13. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    If you want to enter the business world, forget about University education. Most companies see a Masters degree as an overkill already.
    If you are looking to build your self in Accounting and Finance, you should go after a recognized credential such as a CFA, CPA, ACCA, CMA, etc. This type of credentials are very marketable unlike academic oriented qualifications such as DBA, PhD, etc.

    DBAs or PhD have little use in the business world. It is nice to have them but most companies won't put too much weight on them.
     
  14. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I agree about the expensive remark. A Doctorate from a reputable institution is not going to cost less than 60 to 80K. ACCA, CFA or CPA would cost less than 2K as these are qualifications by examination. A CFA or CPA makes about the same money than a person with a DBA or PhD so the 60 to 70K investment doesn't make sense unless you really love to teach.
     
  15. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    You hit the nail on the head. Professional Certifications (ANSI accredited) are invaluable. To add to the above list other credible certifications are
    1. CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
    2. CISA
    3. CISM
    4. CISSP etc
    All the above ones cost less than $3K.
     
  16. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    If you just earned an Masters in Management I can't imagine why you'd want to turn right around and buy into an MBA program. Where is the value?
     
  17. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    If you have no work experience, you REALLY need it. I personally would not do another Masters when you can go earn a doctorate. But what I would do is go get a job in my field and work on the doctorate simultaneously (not necessarily right away). Work experience is a major factor. When I have hired people, the degree is simply the minimum qualification that gets them considered (I am impressed that someone has a degree from Harvard but it is not a decision factor in them getting a job). Experience is huge (as is performance at the interview..etc) and you need to get your foot in the door somewhere and begin obtaining experience. Otherwise you will simply be an overqualified person in terms of degrees but under qualified in terms of experience.
     
  18. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    I agree that you need experience ASAP. I know a guy with an MBA working on a MS-MIS who has recently taken an entry level position at a computer help desk. He could have landed that job right out of high school but he is doing the right thing by getting some experience.
     

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