MBA vs. LLB/JD

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by bo79, Mar 5, 2004.

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  1. bo79

    bo79 New Member

    I noticed that there is a very heated debate going on in the form about the value of the MBA. So I thought it would be interesting to hear peoples opinion on what degree has more value and prestige MBA or law degree?

    http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12583

    A lot of people in the other thread have been saying that the MBA is losing it's value and prestige because so many people are getting an MBA right now. However there is just as many people earning LLB's and JD's.
     
  2. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    Both degrees are saturated...

    I read a statistic (yes, 77% of all statistics are made up on the spot) a while back that said that there is one lawyer for every 200 or so Americans. So, law is definitely a crowded field. I know a lot of $35k/year ticket fixers in small towns. But you can make a lot of money as a lawyer - you just have to graduate from the right school, join the right firm, and win the right cases. Not too hard, is it?

    Same thing with an MBA. If you're getting your MBA from Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton, then you probably have a bit of a leg up on the guy who earned his MBA part time at Chickenskinner State. The fact of the matter is that MBA programs (especially part-time and executive MBAs) have become cash cows for universities, so a lot of schools are starting programs. There are a couple of MBA programs in my state (North Carolina) that haven't graduated their first class yet. A big part of the value of your MBA is your school's alumni network - what kind of network do you expect to get from a school with no alumni?

    I'd say the MBA is marginally more overrated than the JD. But ultimately, the person matters more than the degree.
     
  3. bo79

    bo79 New Member

    Re: Both degrees are saturated...

    easier said then done:D
     
  4. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    It is not true that as many people earn JDs as MBAs from accredited institutions

    According to the Department of Educationweb site, in 2000-2001, approximately116,000 master's degrees were awarded in business administration subjects while only 38,000 JD degrees were awarded. LL.B.s, if any, are included in the JD total.

    That's still a LOT of JD degrees!
     
  5. Rant

    Rant New Member

    Another thing to keep in mind, since this is a distance learning forum, is that no law schools that are recognized by the American Bar Association offer distance learning programs, whereas there are plenty of AACSB-recognized MBA programs available by distance.
     
  6. bo79

    bo79 New Member

    I was not talking about ABA law schools. I was referring to state approved law schools and law schools in the UK and SA that offer distance learning LLB.:mad:
     
  7. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    There are no state bar APPROVED law schools that offer a D/L JD in the United States.

    The state of California itself does "approve" D/L JD programs, meaning only that it is legal for such schools to operate. The State Bar allows persons who complete some of these programs to take the first year law student exam and, eventually, the bar exam, but these schools are not treated by the bar as being "bar approved" law schools. They are merely "registered" with the bar.

    The state bar considers "bar approved" schools to be the exact equal of ABA programs. All "bar approved" programs are residential. Students in "bar approved" schools are exempt from taking the first year law student exam.
     
  8. madcow

    madcow New Member

    The value of a MBA or JD/LLB would be dependent on the individual's criteria for earning either degree.

    The question should be asked, why are you studying? What are your expectations? Then the value of one or the other can be determined.

    I earned a MBA, part time in residence. I went after the MBA because wanted to be better at my job. After competing the MBA I have become better at my job. I was reasonably sucessful before and more sucessful now. My earnings ave increased by about 60%, total with about 20% on base and the balance on incentive. My MBA was never recognized until about a month ago, when I interviewed for a promotion. The recognition was due to the effort needed to complete the course while working full time. The benefit of the MBA IMHO, is when you are competing against someone that doesn't have one as well as having tools to do a better job.

    As for my interest in the LLB, well I've always wanted to be a lawyer. I think that being a lawyer and a banker would be unique and gives me a edge over others. Being situated in Northern Michigan, the nearest law school is about 200 miles from me, making it difficult to attend in residence. I have a house in Alabama also with a long distance ride to a ABA law school. While I intend to be a lawyer, gaining bar admission through creative means, I do not intend to practice on a full time basis.

    So, the MBA has proved its worth
     
  9. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    With the original question being related to the relative measures of value and prestige I have three answers. The first is that you're comparing apples and oranges. If you want to compare two law schools or two business programs then that's possible, otherwise, not. The second is that both degrees are potentially quite valuable and prestigous but, as it has been previously stated, it depends on which specific schools are being compared, the performance of the individual within that program, and the firm they hire into. Third, I would go the law school route as I find the subject more interesting.
    Jack
     

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