Need advice on master degree

I've just completed my undergraduate degree and have been searching extensively for a good online MBA program that is AACSB accredited. While on the search, I've come across Andrew Jackson University in which I knew was not AACSB accredited but it seems just so hard to pass up on its sponsored tuition program. I'm thinking of putting my application in within the next few days to get locked in before the sponsored tuition program ends and may be work on a master program other than MBA at AJU. I still plan to attend an AACSB accredited school for my MBA degree. As far as a master from AJU, I'm thinking of going for their Master of Public Administration. My question is, does it make sense or is it a good idea to have an MBA and also an MPA? I'm not too concerned about the amount of work required to put in to earn both but whether or not it makes sense in the end to hold both MBA and MPA degree. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

It's not uncommon to find people with both degrees. Many schools offer dual MBA/MPA programs. Whether the MPA would benefit you is really a question of what career path you're looking to pursue.

 

Good suggestion. Also there are M.B.A. programs that offer the public administration concentration option. My current school Tarleton State University will be adding their public administration concentration via online format beginning summer 2010; however this particular concentration is currently already available (online) through several other universities and as you've already mentioned ... dual-degree MBA /MPA programs. http://www.tarleton.edu/catalog/graduate/grad-afe/index.html

 

You mentioned that you were originally looking for an AACSB accredited MBA. Not only does Andrew Jackson University not have AACSB accreditation but it doesn't have RA accreditation either. It is accredited by DETC.

 

An MPA is sometimes a good choice if you work, or plan to work, in govt, not-for-profit organizations, politics, or companies who do a lot of govt contracting.

But if you are going to earn an MBA anyway I would suggest a second masters be in a supporting area to your career area (e.g. If you are in imanufacturing or service industry earn an MSQA, If you work in a museum earn a degree in the arts, if in the medical field earn a degree in heath sciences.)

 

From memory, there is a theoretical overlap of about one third between the general MBA and general MPA, but that is just a guess. I imagine that holding the two degrees could be useful, content-wise. However, the real question is what do you want to do with the degrees? That might help discern the order in which to pursue them; discounted tuition might be a practical way of selecting schools but not degrees. For example, do you see yourself working in government or business?

 

Dave,

According to WikiAnswers: An MBA provides a general overview of business. It is particularly useful for people who have a non-business undergraduate degree who may be lacking business courses. However, business savvy students also enjoy an MBA for the ability to specialize further in their chosen areas. Typically, the MBA student will select a concentration in a variety of business fields such as finance, marketing, management, information systems, etc. Completion of an MBA provides one with a competitive edge for the business job market.

On the other hand, an MPA is a Master in Public Administration, and provides students with a general overview of finance, management, planning, operations, etc. of government agencies (local, state, and federal) and not-for-profit organizations (i.e., associations, hospitals, grassroots, etc.). Like the MBA, the MPA student will be required to specialize in a particular area such as public finance, auditing, budgeting, strategic management, organizational behavior, public policy, healthcare policy, social policy.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_MBA_and_MPA

Per the University of Wyoming the subject matters are different. The target groups and student goals are different. The MBA is primarily a degree for use in private sector (for-profit) organizations. The MPA is primarily a degree for use in public sector (government and not-for-profit) organizations. While management-supervisory responsibilities exist in both settings, there are significant differences between the two. These differences explain the subsistence of two distinct degrees. The Master of Public Administration pays particular attention to democratic, governmental concerns, such as constitutional rights and procedures, policy- making and implementation in an open setting with citizen input, and responsibility to the people as owners of government. http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/mpa/FAQ.asp#3

Botton-line as you've stated ... which industry (private / public) does the poster see he- or her-self working?

 

If you are looking at getting both an MPA and an MBA, I would recommend finding a AASCB MBA program that offers the dual MBA/MPA degree. As others have mentioned, there is quite a bit of overlap and a dual degree program is going to be your most efficient option.

 

I'm going to be the dissenter here. The MBA provides a significant advantage over the MPA, especially in terms of utility. I work in the public sector and my MBA has provided the quantitative and business tools I need for many decisions

Most political appointees and senior civil servants will have degrees other than an MPA. As the government continues to outsource, the MBA provides better insight into dealing with the commercial sector.

I would only recommend the MPA if an individual was absolutely sure that he/she will never leave government service and then I would recommend those programs that are accredited by NASPPA.


Lastly, the MS in Administration might also be a consideration in this mix of degrees.

 

Of course it would depend on what a person is going to do with the degree, but GENERALLY speaking, from a public/employer perception perspective, the MBA would be the better degree. I say that because, before becoming interested in graduate education, I had no idea what a MPA is, but I had at least some idea of what an MBA is. It's instantly recognized; kinda like a DBA vs PhD, they are in many/most respects equivalent but the PhD is an easier sell because people already know about it. Again, I'm not talking rigor or saying that the MPA is an inferior degree at all, just saying that in terms of recognition the MBA will be superior in most respects.

 

The overlap between the MBA and the MPA is more like two-thirds, if my beloved alma mater City University of Seattle www.cityu.edu is any point of reference.

 

One might also correlate the MPA with say the MSCJ /MCJ and even the M.Ed. degree; all a bit limited in function outside the public /government sectors vs. the in general marketability of the MBA.

 

Could be. Whatever the percentage of overlap from program to program, I've never been overcome with desire to earn an MPA...

 

Dave brings up a good point. If the desire isn't there then the degree would have to be a barrier to entry (that is without it one couldn't enter the profession) to provide the impetus to complete the degree. I did a cursory search on Monster with "MPA" in the keywords search and took a look at some of the jobs.

One included the following:

"Additional Qualifications:
-Knowledge of DoD CIP, COOP, or mission assurance programs
-Knowledge of tools used in the intelligence analysis process
-Knowledge of intelligence collection platforms
-MA, MS, MBA, MPA, or MPP degree"

another:

"Education Required
BS/BA/BBA Degree; MBA/MPP/JD/MPA or related Masters Degree preferred"

so then I did a search on "MPA Required". No results

I then did "MBA Required". and at least 32 jobs came up.

Not empirical by any means but at least a barometer of what industry jobs might be available for the MPA vs the MBA.

 

Possibly - I have both an MPA and an MBA. I adjunct for numerous schools and have landed every single job because of my MPA, not the MBA. As far as ROI, the MPA has been exponentially better for me.

 

Nor have I.

 

What course areas are you teaching that the functionality of your MPA has landed your adjunct positions; are they public sector and/or government area curriculum related? Again my statement was geared toward the possible (not absolute) limits of the MPA vs. the MBA's functionality outside government and/or public sector employment; not Higher Ed academic instruction. I’m delighted the MPA and upcoming DPA have been favorable with a positive ROI for you.

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. This forum is so great!

And to answer a few of your questions: I see myself working most likely in business. I'm turning 27 in a month or so and I've been working in the business environment for 7 years. An MBA would definitely help me to advance within the company. I haven't given much thoughts or have enough knowledge about working for the government or a non-profit organization but I thought I could explore this area for career opportunities later on in life if given an offer.

I've tried looking up schools that offer dual MBA/MPA programs but not able to find very many. My main focus still would be to get my MBA from an ACCSB accredited school. I thought it might just look better on my resume to have another master degree and seeing the cost from AJU really made me think harder if I should go for a second and that I have to decide now since time is running out.

Again, thanks to everyone and I'm so very grateful to have found this forum.

 

Thanks for the reply Major56. I actually landed my first adjunct job teaching in an undergrad. business program - at that time I only had the MPA. Since then I have moved more into the public management side, but I have taught a considerable number of courses in general management and administration.

From strictly an adjunct perspective, I have been told by numerous faculty recruiters that the MPA provides more utility due to the generalist nature of the degree, the overlap in coursework as has been mentioned, and the most important factor in my view - the sheer number of people with MBAs out there looking for work.

Since I work in the public sector, if I had to pick one with intent of staying here I would pick the MPA. If I was unemployed or looking for a career change I would pick the MBA. Fortunately, keeping in line with the OP's original post - there are several programs out there that are dual MBA/MPA that take advantage of the overlap and provide the biggest bang for the buck over two separate degrees.

 

Regarding your particular case I’ve learned something new today regarding the utility of the MPA (a good thing). And you’re correct that there are quite a few of us MBA(s) around (e.g., a flooded market); for that matter I’ll also include MEd(s).