http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm I just wonder why they call it MA for IT Management or Security Management. It should be MS. If you don't have any components of Liberal Arts then it should be called MS, right? I was talking to one of the educationists about this. He thinks that APU may not know the difference between MA and MS. I can't believe this. Is there anyone here from APU who can clarify this?
Actually, their master's in IT Management is the MBA, though their master's in Security Management is the MA. The MBA IT sounds acceptable, but you're right to point out that Security Management hardly seems like a liberal art. Wonder how they came up with that degree nomenclature. On the other hand, the degree nomenclature Master of Arts in Management does seem to be fairly widely accepted. Or at least fairly widely used.
Not to mention what takes place on the doctoral side. How about getting a PhD in chemistry, physics, math, biology, information systems, etc? After all, PhD does stand for Doctor of Philosophy and none of these fields seem like they would fit that category. Instead the PhD is more of a generic 'catch all' degree that one can obtain in any subject available ranging from philosophy to literature to astrophysics to basket weaving [if you can find such a program]. The DSc would be more fitting in subjects that deal with the sciences because DSc stands for Doctor of Science.
I wouldn't place this much weight on it. I've seen schools where some disciplines are BA and others BS, some where it all depended on which general ed track you took, and one where the only difference was whether you took a foreign language. -=Steve=-
An internet search will bring up plenty of scientific MAs USC offers options (MA or MS) http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2006/graduate/grad_degrees_list.html Then there is Fisk, U. Minnesota, CSUDH, and CSUSB
The traditionalist (US) view is thus: An MA is an academic degree based in theory and the beginning of research. The "arts" part of the title isn't about the field of study but instead the method of study. There is often a thesis involved. A PhD is an academic degree based heavily in theory and research. The "philosophy" part is not about the discipline of philosophy but instead the method of study. There is almost always a dissertation involved. An MS is an academic degree that is based heavily in application of theory. Far less research but still some. It is not necessarily about the fields of science as much as the science of applying the knowledge vs thinking about it. MS Acct is a good example. A Master's of/in XYZ (Business Administration, Public Administration, Education, Music, what-have-you) is an applied study degree that, like the MS is more about applying the knoweldge than about creating some new knowledge. The Doctor of XYZ generally follows the same ideal. Now, these are generalizations and traditionalist. There are no codified rules in place so what is an MS in Finance at one school may be identical to the MA in Finance at another and the Master of Finance at yet another. A master of arts in biology is not as uncommon as some might think at first review then. If the basis of study was a lot of theory and journal review and replication of research with a massive thesis at the end - that's probably an MA. If the method of study was "this is how we do.... now you do..." and here's how we'll use this in the "real world" - that's probably an MS. So basically, properly and traditionally applied, the degree title is a function of the methodology and not a function of the discipline. Bottom line, it all depends on the curriculum at the particular school. You can't assume that all MA holders wrote a thesis anymore or that all MS holders are grounded in application.
MA or MS Here is the degree requirement. I don't see heavy components of Liberal Arts. Is anyone here from APU? None will do Master's in Security Management if it is not applied. The curriculum seems like geared towards application. May be they just thought MA in Security Management may fly without thinking of subtle difference between MA and MS. Degree Program Requirements Core Courses (15 semester hours) RC504/ RC507 / CRJ 505 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice / Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Security CR507/ CR533 / SCM 507 -Principles and Theory of Security Management / Assets Protection and Loss Prevention Management CR508 / SCM 508 - Evaluation of Security Programs CR509 / SCM 509 - Contemporary Issues in Security Management CR540 / SCM 510 - Security Management Ethics Major Courses (Select 15 semester hours) Students must select five courses from the list below. LC529 / SCM 529 - International Terrorism CR546 / SCM 531- International Security Management CR536 / SCM 536 - Protective Services CR537 / SCM 537 - Computer Crime CR538 / SCM 538 - Industrial Espionage CR544 / SCM 544 - Security Architecture CR545 / SCM 545 - Airport Security Design CR547 / SCM 547 - Perimeter Security NS510 / HLS 501 - Homeland Defense CR601 / CRJ 601 - Cases in Executive Decision Making CR690 / CRJ 690 - Independent Study Criminal Justice and Security Graduate Electives (Select 6 semester hours) From other courses not taken to meet required, core, or major requirements. CR701 / SCM 791 - Comprehensive exam – Taken once all other requirements have been met unless thesis is taken CR792 / SCM 792 - Master’s Capstone Seminar in Security Management (3 semester hours) - The MA in Security Management Master’s Capstone Seminar option includes a thesis, or a major research project or paper in lieu of the final comprehensive examination, which has no credit hours. Those who elect this option may reduce their electives by three semester hours to accommodate the seminar option credit. This option is desirable for those students who wish to apply their advanced research skills to a topic of security management interest or who would plan to continue their education at a higher level. Students electing this option must use this as one of the graduate electives. Total hours: 36 semester hours
Much ado about nothing I hire technical people, and I wouldn't think twice about hiring someone with an MA in a technical subject relative to an MS. There may a subtle difference to nomenclature enthusiasts, but in practice I don't think there is one, certainly not across different schools. -=Steve=-
To add to that, note that Harvard's graduate IT degree is the: "Master of Liberal Arts in Information Technology" http://www.extension.harvard.edu/it/ I don't think the "Master of Liberal Arts" title would scare away anyone, but if it did you wouldn't want to work there, anyway.
That curriculum (my opinion) is clearly an MA and not an MS... What points me to MA is the research methods and the thesis for starters. It appears to me that this degree is going to require some research and some academic writing. Someone planning on heading to a doctorate in the field or toward post-secondary teaching will benefit from this curriculum. However, if you find that it doesn't meet your own educational needs, don't do it.
Distinction What I understand from different postings that it doesn't matter to employers whether it is MA or MS. How can employer understand if it is MA then the first course is research as some of you have suggested? The general belief is that it is more theoritical than applied if it is MA.
You are way overthinking this. Most HR departments don't screen at that level of detail or sophistication. Don't sweat the letters. Daniel A guy with a BA working in telecom
...And, if the specific coursework is important to the HR department then they look at the transcript and not the diploma. There is a general perception that an MA is for "the arts" and an MS is for "the sciences" but this simply isn't the reality of degrees awarded out there.
Not so sure that BA vs. BS snobbery does not exist in the corporate world. A senior executive within my department "strongly suggested" that an employee complete his degree as a BS vs. a BA in Biology. Not sure why it would matter (in his case, it just meant an additional two or three courses).
Ironically, at some schools that would simply mean he had fewer liberal arts electives and more open ended electives -- i.e., no difference in major. I don't think the senior executive knew what he was talking about. -=Steve=-
MA vs. MS It is ironic that company that I work for also harbor notion that MA means more liberal arts course whereas MS means more applied courses. I think it is a very common misconception in the corporate world.
