Choosing between MS and MBA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by EaglePersona, Jul 12, 2015.

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  1. EaglePersona

    EaglePersona New Member

    Hi All,

    I am doing MS in management with project management concentration from UMT (University of Management and Technology) through distance learning.
    I have completed 2 weeks of studies by now.
    Today, I received a scholarship and that made me think if I can upgrade from MS to MBA in Project Management(PM).
    I thought of pursuing MBA initially but due to budget constraints I chose MS.

    Now, my question is how much is MS valued as compared to MBA given that the concentration is still PM in both cases.

    Following are the course contents' differences in MS and MBA offerings:
    MS: MBA
    Core Courses:
    Business Basics Communication and Soft Skills
    Decision Making Business Laws and Ethics
    Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain
    Accounting
    Economics
    PM Concentration courses:
    International Project Management e-Commerce

    Other course contents are same for both MS and MBA.
    MBA is a 45 credit hours course and MS 36 credit hours. Is it a good idea to take up a course with higher credit hours?

    (A little background about me as that might help you to provide suggestions.
    I finished my under graduation in Electronics and Telecom in 2006 from India.
    Post that I have a 6+ years of experience as a developer in IT.)

    Looking forward for your suggestions.

    Thanks.
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Are you aware that the University of Management and Technology is NOT regionally accredited?

    Are you aware of the limited utility of that kind of school?
     
  3. EaglePersona

    EaglePersona New Member

    I am aware of it.
    However, this university is accredited by Project Management Institute (PMI) for its Project Management courses one of which I signed up for.
    Also, UMT is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

    When I was looking for universities and colleges to take admission for graduation this is the only university I found that offers PM with reasonable tuition and it is very well respected in the PM community.

    Does anyone has any suggestions - what would be good for me with respect to long run... MS or MBA?
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    It is possible that you, like many new members, have been in such a rush to ask your question that you've failed to recognize that this and other similar questions have been asked and answered repeatedly on this site. In fact, we have an entire forum related to Business degrees. Here's just one example of what you'll find there:

    http://www.degreeinfo.com/business-mba-degrees/27695-best-mba-degree.html
     
  5. BusinessManIT

    BusinessManIT Member

    My Recommedation

    Theoretically, the MBA is considered to be a generalist degree, whereas the MS in Management is a specialist degree. However in looking at UMT'S MBA and MSM (both with Project Management concentrations), the coursework for each degree program look very similar and the number of courses also (15 for MBA; 13 for MS).

    Either degree should be fine in my opinion.
     
  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I would go with the MS if that is where you want to focus. What will the extra time and money of an MBA get you?
     
  7. EaglePersona

    EaglePersona New Member

    Thank you BusinessManIT and Randell1234.

    I discussed with some of my friends and all of them think that MS would be better than MBA as it has more technical aspect than MBA. I think I will consider MS.

    Thanks.
     
  8. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    If it was me I would go with the MS.
    Then gain other degrees, certifications, and join an appropriate professional society. The latter has done more for me then and any otherpost grad academic qualification.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    While general statements about limited utility involving degrees from NA schools apply, it is important to note that many people find these degrees fit them fully. Anecdotal successes (or fails) are fine, but they don't tell you what you need to know for your individual situations. And research (like John's survey of admissions officials and my research with HR professionals) can point to general trends, but YMMV. If a degree from an NA school fits, go for it. Just be sure you've considered the question--a question that applies to just about any school decision, BTW!
     
  10. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    MBA or MS? It doesn't matter like it used to. There was a time when the 'it' degree was the MBA; everything else looked like a consolation prize. But no more. Get the degree that best fits your career plans and interests.

    As for the MBA being considered a 'generalist' degree, not really, not anymore. Sure, most MBA programs cover a wide swath of business subjects, but they can also be found in a wide variety of specializations. Also, the MBA used to be much more quantitative--accounting, finance, statistics, operations research. Now, many are focused more on leadership and running a business.
     
  11. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    I agree with this statement and it is one of the reasons why I have been pretty hot and cold on the idea of earning an MBA. The MBA was a generalist degree. Now, it retains some of its generalist nature but with an absurd number of specialties. It is far less quantitative than it used to be (generally speaking) to the point where the letters "MBA" don't even suggest that the bearer (of said letters) is particularly well trained in these quantitative disciplines at all. You can very easily have an MBA and have zero idea of how Corporate Finance works. This wasn't really the case in the earlier versions of the same degree.

    The result is a weird combination of courses. You could earn an MBA in Marketing. You'll have a general business foundation plus around 12 - 18 credits of marketing coursework. Or, you could earn an M.S. in Marketing and earn all 32 - 36 (ish) credits in Marketing.

    I don't like that. But, I accept it as our present reality. If I found that an MBA was necessary for advancement (at our company, an MBA or JD is required to become a VP, there is no "equivalent" degree acceptable) then I would earn an MBA. But, I have a colleague who has an MS in Human Resource Management (from my alma mater, UofS) who opted to earn an MBA with a specialization in Operations Management (he was encouraged by others in our department to simply earn an MBA in HR). It worked out well for him so far. He was able to parlay that tangential education into a global HR role with our company. Same office. Same faces. But instead of firing people who pop up on the drug test (as I must do) he now gets to work in a cross-departmental role with program responsibility throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The MBA wasn't the only thing that caused him to land that new role but it helped immensely. My point is that duplicating coursework rarely helps you. Your degree can serve as validation that you are a dedicated member of your profession or that you are a multidisciplinary professional. Focus on crafting your image. Don't tell me what I should see when I see you. Make yourself what you want me to see. Degrees are simply a tool toward that end.

    Last note (touched upon by others here as well) I've said it before but let me reiterate that the Masters can help check a box. It might even lead to some very interesting conversation in the interview. But certifications, at least in HR, can be equally if not more important than degrees. We have passed over candidates with Masters degrees (including MBAs and once, a person with a PhD) in HR because they didn't have PHR/SPHR/GPHR.
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I have an MBA, PhD, and SPHR, among other things. Can I have a job? :smile:
     

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