After obtaining my BS degree from Excelsior in 2006, I will be finishing my MS in Civil Engineering at Loyola Marymount University (B&M) in May 2008. I am looking for advice on my next step, I may go for an ALM in Environmental Management from Harvard University, an Ivy league institution, or I can go for a PhD in Technology Management from Indiana State University a fourth tier institution (US News and World Report) Should I go for a lower degree from a prominent institution, or for a higher degree from a less prestigious one? Thanks, Luis
How do you intend to make use of the second masters degree or the doctoral degree? Environmental management and technology management are very divergent fields. The ALM in Environmental Management seems more in line with your MS in Civil Engineering.
I would like to advance to managerial positions, (I am a jouney level Environmental Engineer) the ALM is more focused in my field, the PhD seems to provide tools to be used in a range of, for example, manufacturing industries. Basically I am wondering which degree is better from the employer's point of view, which one will open more doors. All other things being equal, who will be hired or promoted: Dr. So and So from Indiana State, or Mr. So and So who has a Master's degree from Harvard?
Correct me if I am wrong, but the ALM in Environment Management from Harvard is not offered online. The certificate is. Perhaps you intend to attend locally?
Since you want to advance to a position in management the ALM is probably the better route. Are you interested in the certificate or masters degree? A doctoral degree later would be icing on the cake but not essential to your advancement into managerial roles.
Luis, A master's from Harvard would do a lot more for you in the professional world than a PhD from a low tier. This is if you want to stay in industry, if you want to teach full time then the PhD would be of more value as this is a requirement for most of the academic positions.
I don't know about anyone else, but a masters from Harvard seems like a pretty big deal to me, that would seem to open doors as an alumni that few other degree's could equal..
Actually they only require an 8 week summer semester in residency at Cambridge, I think I can do that. Luis
I think the minimun residency is valid for any ALM: Online and on-campus options. You can earn the degree through any combination of online and on-campus courses, although there is a minimum residency requirement of one 4-credit, on-campus-only course. This may be ENVR E-200. (from: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2007-08/programs/envr/masters/) Although many courses may be taken online, the ALM in Environmental Management requires a minimum residency of one semester when you enroll in the proseminar ENVR E-200 during the fall term at the Extension School or during the eight-week session at Harvard Summer School, when housing is provided for a fee. (from http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2007-08/programs/envr/masters/reqs/residency.jsp) Luis
I’m actually a recruiter in the civil engineering field (www.leadingengineers.com) and from my experience the PhD is only applicable in consulting firms and only for Partnership level work. Just my take on it. Also I would question a Technology Management specialty in the PhD. My question would be, am I going to have to pay higher for this PhD even if his degree has nothing to do with EE? Having said that I am working with someone with a PhD in mechanical engineering but he is interviewing for a partnership position with a consulting firm. Environmental Engineers are hard to find right now (HINT HINT **call me** HINT HINT) so I think you should be focused on your PE if you don’t already have it. The second degree from Harvard will insure you can write your own ticket given there is still time to get your PhD later if you decide that is what you would like to do.
Thank you for the advice. Thankfully I was able to get my PE registration last July. (I took the test on April) Luis
This doesn't really answer your question but its another option to consider. University of Alabama Huntsville has a PhD in Engineering Management offered by their Industrial Engineering department. This might be a better fit for your background than the Tech Management PhD from Indiana State.
