Question: NCU MBA or CAGS?

An interesting situation came up today and I thought the collective wisdom of this group could give me some input.

Up until last year I was enrolled in the NCU DBA-Homeland Security (HS) program. I transferred into Valdosta State's DPA program with 24 credits on the books at NCU.

I was not interested in pursuing any additional coursework at NCU until they released their 18 credit Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) late last year. I figured two more HS course would get me a CAGS in HS which would open up additional adjunct doors for me, so I enrolled in my final 2 HS courses to finish up the CAGS.

I finished up the final HS course this week and inquired with my advisor about the steps to have the CAGS awarded. I was informed that I could either have the CAGS or an MBA with a specialization in HS awarded.

At this point I am usure of which route to take:

The specializations at NCU to me were both a blessing and a curse since the only degrees awarded are MBAs and DBAs/PhDs in the School of Bus./Tech. The specializations are a great mechanism to focus on an area of interest, but they dilute the traditional business core of the respective degrees.

In my view, I think a MBA-HS would not be received as a "real" MBA by the private sector (I have no designs to enter the private sector anyway) due to the lack of substantial traditional MBA curriculum. I also wonder if it would not be viewed as a "real" HS degree in the HS community because of the MBA title. On the other hand, it is an additional graduate degree from an accredited school with an 18 credit HS component - I think a graduate degee may leave a better impression with some than just a grad. cert.

I plan on just using the credential to pursue additional adjunct work as my major Masters and Doctoral focus has been in public administration.

Any suggestions? Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

Dude, an MBA is an MBA. The “private sector” can spell MBA, and understand it, and honor those who have it. We all end up in the private sector eventually.

No one knows what a CAG is. It sure isn’t an MBA.

I can never think of a time outside of academia where anyone has ever even though to ask about which classes I took to get an MBA. Sure, it might happen in some weird scenario, but that same scenario is going to puzzle much more over CAG than MBA.

Easy one in my book.

 

Thanks dlady. The MBA is the direction I am leaning in since as you said "an MBA is an MBA".

 

A degree vs a certificate?

I would said go with the MBA, but that is just me.
A certificate to me it is like buying a car with a flat tire an not a spare tire with. It may work for some but not for me, a degree symbolizes in a way that you ended something and have more substance (no offense to certificate holders). But, in any event the final choice is your alone.

 

I agree that the core courses don't reflect a business degree. However, if you can sign a degree to your name instead of just a specialization, then it is better.

John Doe, MBA

vs.

John Doe, Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security

 

I agree in principle, however, as a matter of practicality a certificate might be the better option, at least as a potential stepping stone later. I would like to enroll in the MSc (Digital Forensics) degree at the University of Central Florida, but due to the very, very high tuition I am opting to apply to the graduate certificate programe at a discounted out-of-state tuition for online courses in the certificate programme. Afterwards, with far less credit hours remaining towards the MSc (Digital Forensics) I might apply and pay the much higher tuition for a significantly reduced number of credit hours. Decisions are often influenced by circumstance.

 

Agree, in my circumstances I was able to apply maximum credits to a degree and only take 6 courses to get a degree instead of a certificate. Most certificates program requires 4 to 6 courses. So, it made more sense to pursue the MBA in other areas. But, I still like better the idea to get the degree. Different strokes, for different folks.

 

Go with the MBA (you still have the HS credits that can be discussed when appropriate).
As you proceed in your chosen career degrees become less important than experience. My acquantances in academia say regular publishing is important to show you are up to date in your area of expertise.

 

If I can offer an opposing viewpoint (not an opinion) to the consensus; in many circles, a CAGS is comparable to a Ed.S. and is viewed as a higher credential than a Master's degree.

That's the case in Massachusetts, where a Master's degree is a prerequisite for admission to a CAGS program which is usually 30-36 credits. Just something to think about.

 

Plus you wouldn't have to explain why you have an MBA that seems to be lacking in so many business courses.

If you already had a doctorate -- or if you KNOW that you'll get a doctorate -- then go with the CAGS. If you're not sure if you'll ever get a doctorate, then go with the MBA.

You're in a unique situation.

 

I would go for the MBA. Have you asked NCU if you could get both and present one or the other depending on the situation?

 

Yes - it is an either/or decision. I am having my coursework evaluated right now to see if I meet the entire MBA requirement list. If I have to take any additional courses for the MBA I will go with the CAGS. If not, I am leaning towards the MBA right now.

 

As someone who hires professionals and who also sits on hiring boards, my opinion is that the MBA would likely be more serviceable to you than the CAGS. Although I know exactly what a CAGS (or CAS at some schools) is, many do not (I have had to explain what a CAGS is to many who find it on an applicant's resume). There are so many college certificate programs that it is difficult for most people to differentiate between lower and upper division undergraduate certificates and post graduate certificates (like the CAGS/CAS).

For instance, Sullivan University (my institution) offers a "stair-step" approach, where students earn a one-year career certificate or diploma, making them eligible for employment while they are working on their A.S. or B.S. degree. One of our undergraduate human resource certificates would not be the same as someone with a CAGS in HR--but most people would likely not know the difference.

Bruce is correct that, at most universities that offer a 30 unit CAGS, it is equivalent to an Ed.S., which is like taking the coursework for an additional masters and is considered a "higher" degree than the M.A./M.S./M.Ed. The difference is that the Ed.S. is a degree, not a certificate, so it has that advantage. I am of the of the opinion that any education-related CAGS that requires 30 semester units or more should be an Ed.S. An 18-unit post masters program would be a certificate.

Of course, at most universities, the requirements for the M.B.A., M.F.A. and M.Div. are more extensive than the M.A./M.S./M.Ed., which is why the former are usually considered to be "terminal" degrees, while most masters are not. So, the M.B.A. may still be your best bet.

 

For the 21st Century, I agree with you. However, in the old days, you could get a RA MBA for only 30 credits, but that was when they were reasonably new, back in the 20th Century. My cousin got a 30 credit MBA from Garden Variety State University in the early 1980s. It's impossible to find a 30 credit MBA in the 21st Century because schools have added soooooo much.

 

When you say it like that, seems like you are talking about hundreds and hundreds of years. LOL, but is true we just happen to be in the verge of two centuries. Well, back in the 20th century UOP wanted 54 credits for their MBA. I found this too many credits for a MBA.

 

Is that why you hate UOP so badly?

 

No, but I can write a dissertation as per why I dislike them.

 

Holy smokes! Fifty-four credits for an MBA at UoP? With as expensive as UoP is, they will make a bundle for every applicant that enrolls in such a program. However, 54 credits is pretty much in-line with Garden Variety State University.

 

That was for the online degree in the 90's, I thought it was supposed to be cheaper than the on ground one, but it was not, it almost costs close to 25K in 20th century dollars. Most MBA in the last century (what I considered normal) would run about 39 to 45 credits, but that also has changed with the internet and distance learning revolution.

 

Jacksonville State's MBA program is only 30 credit hours if you have the preq undergrad credits...