Seriously Thinking about Dropping Program

I've completed 30% of the MS in Program/Project Management at Brandeis University. Currently, my GPA is 4.0. I'm seriously considering dropping out of the program. Why? I do not know what it is going to do for me. Currently, I work as a Program / Project Scheduler. I used to work as a project manager and I do not want to be a project manager again. However, I do like project controls. I want to be a Project Controls SME. I have a BA and a MA in Management from Webster University. I have a graduate certificate in Project Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology. I’ve also been a PMP since 1999. I started going to Brandeis because I was bored and wanted to take some classes. I thought I would be able to handle two classes at a time which would allow me to complete the program in 18 months. There is no way I can handle two classes. Now I'm on the 3.3 year plan. I just do not know what a MS in Project Management will do for me since I would be basically duplicating what I've already achieved. I do not consider what I've accomplished so far at Brandeis wasteful since I did learn some new ways of doing things and also I’m able to submit PDUs to PMI in order to keep my PMP

Dave

 

Curious why you started this program in the first place? If you were bored like you say why not just find a certificate program to enroll in or just take a couple classes for the fun of it? With all that said if you want to drop it and don't see the benefit in the degree then drop it and move on.

 

I agree with you Dave, I don't see much benefit in the program for you. With your experience, you could probably teach it.

 

You are working as a Project Manager. You already have a Masters degree in the discipline. You are a PMP. I see no real value in obtaining another Masters in a related discipline. There are many successful PMP qualified Project Managers with only Bachelor degrees, some with no degrees. PDUs can be earned much more efficiently than this route. As SurfDoctor suggests, you probably should be teaching the subject. I teach and developed a Technical Workshop that incorporates a lot of PM related topics, that activity qualified for many PDUs in the old PMI system and still does under the revised rules. I think it is best for you to cut your loses. Another degree at the same level you currently have makes the most sense in a different discipline.

 

Hello,
Here is my advice, since you are already 1/3 of the way.
I assume that you've already completed about 12 credits.
You could transfer those 12 credits to an MBA with a Major in PM at Amberton U.
They allow up to 12 credits for transfer.
Four classes in PM are required and they will more than likely wave those for you.
All you will have to do at that point is complete all the core MBA classes..
You will end up with an MBA which is a lot more valuable in your case.
BTW Amberton one of the most affordable out there.
Amberton University - Master of Business Administration - Project Management
Hope this helps
Good luck to you

 

Just realized that you already have a Masters in Management ... My two cents is I think you have enough credentials in your field.
I would just use those as elective in another program that best fit your interests.

 

Take a look at the MSOM program at Arkansas. It might be something to compliment what you've attained so far and be different enough to be somewhat challenging.

 

Fort Hays State: MLS in Organizational Leadership (31-credit hour program @ $235.50 tuition /credit)
MLS Concentration in Organizational Leadership - Fort Hays State University

 

Dave,

if you plan on teaching at any point in the future complete the program. I applied to teach PM courses and a Masters in PM was a requirement, having a PMP did nothing, despite the fact that most PM programs attest to preparing an individual for the PMP. Strange world academia.

If you don't plan on teaching PM then consider changing to the MS ITM at Brandeis.

Lots of good advice from the other folks. You might consider a breadth area to hedge your bets against the future.

As an aside, PMI has changed some of their rules. I completed a significant number of additional classes while working on a Program Management certification. When I entered these in to the PMI database I received a notice stating that I could renew my PMP (despite having done so the previous year). So I completed the additional renewal and now I am off the hook until 2017.

Best wishes,

 

Thank you all for the advice. I work at Boeing. Boeing now requires employees to go to preferred schools on their list. For example, Brandeis is no longer on the list of preferred schools. However, I started the program before the new rules have been enacted so I'm grandfathered in. With the MSITM at Brandeis I will not lose anything and can use all of the classes I've taken so far as electives. I would need to find out about to see if I would have to pay taxes on my tuition reimbursement. I do not know if MSITM would be considered job related or not. I do support IT projects it very may be job related. With all that said I've always been interested in Financial Planning. In fact I wanted to attend on online MBA with a concentration in Financial Planning program at CLU CFP, Certified Financial Planning MBA Program - Online. CLU is not on Boeing's preferred list of schools. Also, Boeing no longer will pay for employees to obtain CFP certificates. I do not know how hard it would be to change careers at my age (47) and if I could make the same type of money that I'm making now. I'm guessing the pay would be much lower at first. However, I do like the prospects knowing that millions and millions of baby boomers will be retiring over the next 20 years and retirement planning as a growing field. If I obtain my CFP certificate I would be on my own as far as tuition. Missouri Southern State University Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration at MSSU | TEMPLATE and Florida State University FSU Certificate in Financial Planning | Program Overview have reasonably priced programs ($2600-$2800). I do not know what their CFA pass rates are.