New Help on choosing a school/degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Hai, Jan 3, 2002.

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  1. Hai

    Hai New Member

    Hi,
    I found that the discussion on this site is very interesting and informative.
    I have a "problem" that needs your expert opinion on:
    Here is my dilema:
    . I earned my MSEE (1990) and BSEE (1988) from a RA U. in Cali.,
    . I earned an Project & Program Management certificate from UC Santa Cruz Exntension in 2001
    . I earned an VLSI Design Engineering certificate from UC Santa Cruz in 1999
    . earned more than 70 units in topics such as networking design, ASIC design, project manamgement after my MSEE

    I attended a local RA university for the MBA program couple years ago, but "dropped" it after 2 semesters - it was so boring.

    My wife told me that no more engineering class for me, so I have to find some management classes to fill my "spare" times, and prepare myself for some consulting works in the near futher.

    Question: Do you think that I should go for a MBA or a DBA? I've talked to a few people, seems like no one know what the DBA is [​IMG]
    What is the advantage/disadvantage between the two - I have no intention to teach.

    The company I work for has a 7500 anually max for tuition reimbursement, and I would like to the DL route for my MBA/DBA.

    Please let me know if you know of a good RA univ. that has a flexible program - and hopefully accept some of my credits.

    Thank you in advance for your help, and have a happy new year.

    Hai.
     
  2. WestMayes

    WestMayes New Member

    What is your overall goal(s), if you want life-long learning you might look at the DBA, it's a ton of work. An MBA might get you a promotion into management.

    As a HR Director, let me say that you don't want to over educate/price yourself out of the market place,meaning you job is worth (X), a promotion is worth (X) - I see a lot of folks that fall into a trap that an additional college degree will result in more earnings ($$$) - not true

    If your looking to teach - look at a Ph.D

    Another point - you might have to do additional work because you do not have a business graduate degree. - not a good thing...
     
  3. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member


    Hai,

    The question is -- what do you want the degree for? It look like you have been doing a great job in keeping your technical professional development.

    By your interest in an MBA/DBA I am going to jump to the assumption that you are interested in pursuing more management related opportunities. If this is so then the MBA would be a good choice. You will get a business degree at less cost and in a shorter time frame than the DBA.

    Have you considered an Engineering Management program? Some DL programs are:

    National Technological University http://www.ntu.edu/Ac/degrees.asp?DEGREE=EM

    Kansas State University http://www.dce.ksu.edu/dce/engg/mgnt/index.html

    University of Tennessee http://www.outreach.utk.edu/deis/online/programs.htm


    John
     
  4. blahetka

    blahetka New Member

    The DBA is not as well known as a PhD. It is a business practitioner doctoral degree. There are a number of practitioner doctoral degrees, such as the MD, DVM, DDS, DPsych, JD, etc. In the case of the DBA, it is heavier in research than an MBA, but not as theoretical as a PhD. All the RA DBA programs I have seen require a disertation.

    I would think you could get into a DBA program with a non-business Masters. However, I don't know if you would need to take any foundation courses. If you dropped your MBA after two semersters, I would suggest you think about a DBA very carefully before going into it. Ask yourself what was it about an MBA that was boring? While there will be a larger emphasis on the research side of business in the DBA, you will still be studying the same things in a DBA that you studied in an MBA, only deeper and more integrative.

    Based on what your goals are, perhaps a management certificate or some other certificate study may be all that you need. I considered this approach before deciding to enroll in a DBA program.
     
  5. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    You mihg also consider studying Project management, either for the PMP certificate or for a masters, check out the Project Management Institute at http://www.pmi.org/index.htm

    They also have links to several schools that offer programs in PM. There are several others that offer DL programs.


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    M. C. (Mike) Albrecht, PE
     

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