As planned, in the fall I will start a master’s program in Computer Science at the University of Florida. Originally, when I returned to school it was only to complete a bachelor’s degree which I started over 25 years ago. However, I quickly realized that going to school was fun and it gave my life a much needed direction that I hadn’t really had since my divorce about six years ago. I also have in the back of my mind thoughts about pursuing a PhD in Computer Science somewhere down the line. So, while all that seems like a worthy challenge that really excites my interests, recently I’ve started having second thoughts because I believe that after I complete a MSCS degree, an MBA would be much more beneficial to my career as opposed to a PhD in Computer Science. Currently, I believe the only way to advance my career is to move into management. If I do so, I know that I will not be happy unless I am managing software development teams and organizations. I so wish that finance, marketing and accounting were interesting to me, but unfortunately I’m not really all that interested. So, while I believe an MBA is theoretically a better decision for my education path I fear that I will struggle to remain focused on subjects that I am only marginally interested in. So given that I’m only interested in managing software development teams would there be a better degree choice than an MBA for my plans? While I am much more interested in Systems Management or Management Information Systems degrees I worry that those degrees won’t be as helpful to my future career path as an MBA would be. If needed I will push myself through an MBA program but before I do that I just wanted to get someone else's perspective as to whether that would be necessary. Does anyone have any thoughts on my dilemma that they would want to share?
I don't know if such a thing exists, but...an MS in MIS degree with management courses that would transfer to an MBA and IS courses that would transfer to a technical Master's.
The only advice I can think of is that finance and accounting are both pretty important for managing software teams. Managerial accounting -- basically, budgeting -- is going to be especially crucial. As for marketing, bleh... it's a subject I also find totally uninteresting. Like you I'd prefer to have a production-oriented management job where I don't have to sell anything directly to customers. Still, a basic knowledge of marketing is probably going to help you communicate better with the people that do market your software products, and to determine if they're competent and doing a good job, etc.
Re: Re: Help with Degree Planning I can certainly relate when it comes to sales. On the other hand, I find subjects that are related to project managment to be interesting enough. And while it would be a nice skill to be able to read and analyze a balance sheet its definitely not as interesting as researching human-computer interactions, distributed or paralled software systems or machine learning. While general business admin courses seem unexciting I do like economics and operations research as they offer all sorts of rich background on decision theory and control mechanisms. And while I would really like to have those three letters on my resume (M B A) what I really wonder is whether my assessment that an MBA is the best way to advance my career is realistic given my interest levels or whether I'm overlooking other possibilities. I would ask those who have experience in these matters whether I might be just as well served with graduate certificates in managment or project management or even an MS in Management all which generally have fewer course requirements than an MBA.
I think your dilemma is a common one - the MBA is attractive for the market value of those three letters (whether deserved or not), but the curriculum is often uninspiring. There is, however, an interesting alternative from NYU in Management and Systems. It is even DL, although quite expensive: http://www.scps.nyu.edu/departments/degree.jsp?degId=31 And brochure: http://www.scps.nyu.edu/docs/degrees/brochures/ManagementSystems_03.pdf From the brochure, they distinguish between the MS and MBA: "M.S. VERSUS M.B.A. The M.S. in Management and Systems provides a holistic approach to business in the new millennium. It is designed to teach information technology professionals essential tenets of good business, and to teach business professionals the strategic role of technology. The M.S. creates a common language for business and technology in order to reap the greatest rewards of their collaboration. Unlike an M.B.A., the M.S. approaches the organization as a system in which many crucial and interrelated business functions operate. In fact, ten percent of our students already hold an M.B.A.; another five percent hold master’s degrees; others hold Ph.D. and J.D. degrees—but all seek the deeper level of knowledge and expertise that the M.S. in Management and Systems provides. Your greatest competitive advantage in pursuing the Master of Science in Management and Systems is the insight you acquire by viewing and analyzing the organization as a dynamic system. Every single course interconnects technology and business strategy into its content."
Ellis College at NYIT has an MBA with a concentration in Technology Management ... can do it distance as well. Cheers.
MIS/M UOP offers the following degree: Master of Information Systems/Management Version 001 Program Description The Masters of Information Systems/Management (MIS/M) program is focused on the acquisition of information technology theory and the application of theory and practice to real world business opportunities and challenges. The courses provide current theory and knowledge of essential information technology and the basis of business management. While courses examine a broad range of information technology resources, the courses emphasize the management of such resources in order to meet an organization's challenges and goals. The program has six main threads: 1. Business Management 2. Business Systems Analysis and Design 3. Programming 4. Databases 5. Networks and Telecommunications 6. The Web Systems Analysis and Development CMGT 555 CIS Project Management CMGT 575 CIS Strategic Management CMGT 578 CIS Risk Management CMGT 579 Managerial Communication & Ethics COM 525 Programming Concepts CSS 561 Database Concepts DBM 500 Database Management DBM 502 Legal Environment of Business LAW 529 Accounting & Finance for Management Decision Making MM 520 Networking Concepts NTC 500 Networking Management NTC 502 Human Relations and Organizational Behavior ORG 502 I agree with the others as a MBA/TM may also be a very viable option if you want to go into management in your field. The MBA/TM is generally 45 credit hours though, while the above MIS/M is only 39. I am just using the MIS/M @ UOP as an example (because I happen to work there and have access to the courseware etc.), many other universities offer the same type of degree with nearly identical courses.
I'd recommend following your MSCS with a Ph.D. in Operations Research or Management Science. By implementing ops research methods where you work, you'll have to become intimate with many of the vital processes--I know quite a few people who have moved to management with a Ph.D. in OR. You get the best of both worlds.
Welcome to UF! Are you going to be an on-campus student, or DL? If you are going to be on-campus, you might be interested in my program. It's an interdisciplinary degree through the Department of Ag Engineering called Agricultural Operations Management. (Don't let the agricultural name scare you, it is quite technical) It's very flexible and you can basically design any program you want, including taking MBA or Computer Science Classes. The other thing I would recommend is do the computer science program, and a minor in business or management. (You can do this at UF by taking another 12 credits.) Many business classes here are going online.
Ahhh yes. This MS in Systems Management at NYU is really a very interesting program based on its curriculum and the reputation of NYU. However, my employer only covers $4000 / year in tuition reimbursement which barely covers one class in the program. As a mid-career adult, I don't think I can justify depleting my 529 account and to take out student loans. But, if I had a fairy god-mother, I would go to NYU in a heartbeat. I have been looking at the MSSM program offered by Florida Institute of Technology. But the fact that its academic achievements are know universally known, I worry that it might not be as powerful a statement as I want to make. But, I this program is still on my list because its curriculum sound very enticing.
Re: MIS/M Thanks Miles. That curriculum looks interesting, but to be honest I'm not impressed with UOP as an institution. I think it provides a good honest education; however, marketing-wise I believe it falls short. Please don't take this personally as its just my impression and I'm wrong often.
Re: Re: Help with Degree Planning Hi back to you! I'm going to be a DL student taking my CS courses through FEEDS. You mentioned that UF allows you to complete a minor? FAU allows engineering students to minor in business administration, is it your understanding that UF offers something similar? I'll talk to my contact in the CISE department and see where this goes; however, at this point I'm not sure a minor is enough for me. On the other hand, it would allow me to pursue a PhD sooner which at this point is a good thing. BTW, does the Ag. Engineering department offer their major in OR by DL? Thanks!
I meant to say: But the fact that its academic achievements are not universally known, I worry that it might not be as powerful a statement as I want to make. But, this program is still on my list because its curriculum sounds very enticing.
No offense taken, I wasn't even suggesting you take it @ UOP, there are other schools (I am just not sure which) that offer an identical program. I wouldn't say they fall short in marketing, I think they go overboard. Especially for UOP online, I work for the ground campus in Northern VA and everyone seems to think we are an online school due to all the damn pop-ups and such.
That's what I was trying to say when I said their (over-) marketing falls short. While they my have a good product (I wouldn't know) the amount of advertising they do comes off negatively. Its sort of like watching lawyer commercials (yeeeck!) I believe UOP has irreperably damaged the institution's reputation by their pervasive marketing and perceived lack of admission hurdles. Of course I believe that their business model prevents UOP from having a great academic reputation. Of course having listened to others on the board who obviously know more about UOP than I do, I believe that they may actually have reasonably sufficient or even good academic standards and that they do provide value.
They do have a good academic model and the course content, instructors etc.. are there, but the marketing and other mess (being lumped in with corinthian colleges, ITT, etc) does not help things. Either way, don't want to hijack your thread, I wish you luck in your educational pursuit. My Aunt lives down there, and she went to UOP (tampa) for her undergrad and is now going to University of Florida for her MA.ED and she loves it. I have another friend that is studying film/script writing at UCF, he has been there for 5-6 years, so he is now calling it "U Can't Finish"
Re: Re: Re: Help with Degree Planning From the UF graduate catalog: Minor–If a minor is chosen, at least six credits of work are required in the minor field. Two six-credit minors may be taken with academic unit’s permission. Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. A GPA of 3.00 is required for minor credit. Basically, at UF, you can pretty much minor in anything as long as it is outside of your department, and a faculty member from the department you want to minor in is on your committee. So I was wrong earlier, for a master's student, it is only 6 credits, not 12 credits, it is 6. Even if the courses you want are not available, you might be able to take them at another Florida university through the "traveling scholar" program. For example, if UF doesn't have an online graduate level business class, you can take it at FSU, FIU, UCF, etc instead. I've read about, but haven't heard of anyone actually doing it. Details are in the graduate manual. You might be also interested in some of the certificate programs too. They aren't always advertised and take some poking around the UF websites to find. One that I know of that is offered through FEEDS is a certificate in environmental policy and management at http://oeep.eng.ufl.edu/cepm/index.htm. There are others in DIS, Construction Project Management, GIS, and a slew of others that come and go when some committee thinks one up. And no, our department does really offer any DL courses. I keep trying to get them to, but they are pretty set in their old ways.
