MBA or DBA?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by haestra, Jan 21, 2009.

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  1. haestra

    haestra New Member

    I just completed the M.S. degree from TUI in Health Services Management and would like to continue my education. I'm aware that a business degree will help me in the future since hospitals are being run more like a business lately and some are requiring MBA's. My question is..is it more advantageous to have the DBA than an MBA? It appears that most DBA programs are three years long vs. 2 years for the MBA. What do you guys think?

    I have considered teaching sometime in the future, ( non-tenure) will the DBA help me land a teaching Job? I'm aware that a PHD is ideal, but i don't want to spend the four years in school.
     
  2. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    If you already have a management degree, I would recommend applying for DBA programs.
     
  3. JimLane

    JimLane New Member

    Q1: Why do you feel you need a MBA when you have a master's level management degree?

    Q2: What benefits would you derive from having a DBA (other than for teaching)?
     
  4. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I like JimLane question, but I would recommend for DBA.
     
  5. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I met a couple of DBAs several years ago at a Nova SouthEast U presentation - they both worked as consultants to hospitals and believed their DBA was a great asset in getting hired.

    I also worked with DBAs and Ph.D.s in business who work for organizationswho help DOD with contract awards and subsequent monitoring.

    Banks also hire doctorates for their finance departments according to a recent article in "Science."
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    A good DBA would take at least 5 years at a good school. If you get a 3 year DBA from an online school most likely would be almost useless for job advancements. However, it would be good enough to get some online adjunct positions but there might be more cost effective ways to make extra money.

    An MBA can help if you go for a first or second tier school. There is no point in my opinion to get many degrees from low tier or non-ranked schools for other purpose than qualifying to teach in a different field or at a master's level (in the case of a DBA).
     
  7. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Yes, but Nova DBAs are not 3 year part-time programs. These programs require at least 5 years if not more. This post refers to some of the new online 3 year programs that in my opinion wouldn't cut it for these high level positions.

    A good MBA program is two year full time or 3 years part time. Most PhD and DBAs at traditional schools are 3-4 years full time or 5-6 years part time.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 21, 2009
  8. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    I would say that local reputation regardless of tier or ranking certainly would be a consideration, especially if the local option is 1/10th (or less) the cost of a tier 1 ranked program. I think age of the individual vs experience and a host of other variables make low tier or non-ranked schools a better choice on an individual basis.

    However, I can agree with your point for most folks.
     
  9. haestra

    haestra New Member

    haestra

    Thank you very much for your great responses. It has forced me to see things in a different light. JimLane to answer your questions.

    Q1: Why do you feel you need a MBA when you have a master's level management degree?
    The main reason is the lack of pure business classes, especially in accounting and finance.

    Q2: What benefits would you derive from having a DBA (other than for teaching)?
    Aside from teaching...none..maybe status

    It just seems the logical move is to get the doctorate instead of two masters.
     
  10. haestra

    haestra New Member

    haestra

    O.K. this is another way to look at my situation and please feel free to critique.

    My goals are to have a business degree and to be able to teach in the future. The way I see it I have 2 options:

    MBA-2 years
    teaching certificate-1year or DBA 3 years
    total= 3 years

    Aside from the quality of programs..what other options do i have? Which option is best? and why?
     
  11. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I'd agree with your conclusion but I'd also like to explicitly point out something that was originally suggested by RFValve. You're asking about MBA v. DBA as if they are the same thing. They are not. From everything I've read, a DBA requires substantially more work/time/money than an MBA. This, by itself might be enough reason to go with the MBA. Some people just aren't prepared or able to complete a doctoral program. That's reality. In most doctoral programs the killer is the dissertation/final project/whatever they call it. Be honest with yourself about this factor. You might find yourself at some point having put in two or three years of work and coming out with nothing if you don't persevere and finish the DBA. OTOH, the MBA would probably be a no-brainer for you. So much so I don't even know why you'd bother with it. In any case, good luck.
     
  12. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Is your goal to teach full time or part-time? If your goal is teach full time, you should go for a DBA from a reputable school. I don't know of any reputable school that would allow you to finish a DBA in less than 5 years part time. If you want to teach part time at the online schools, the 3 year DBA program might cut it.

    I personally would rather have an MBA from a reputable school than a DBA with little recognition if your goal is career advancement. Most people that do the DBA or PhD from an online school is because they already work in the University or College environment and just do it for a higher pay. Some others do it to get more adjunct work at online schools.
     
  13. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    My opinion...

    I agree with Kizmet and others that a DBA is tons more work than an MBA.

    I also agree that an MBA would duplicate too much from your MS and wouldn't give you many more options.

    If you are looking for finance and accounting, why not get a post-masters certificate? Fortunado (a poster here) has a Duke MBA and is getting a Finance Certificate. I can't remember the school's name...it's East Carolina State I think...a school that's AACSB (do a forum search). If you get one from an AACSB school then that would be a plus if you ever wanted to teach.

    Or get an MS/Accy (masters in accounting). Sacramento State has one offerend online and pretty inexpensive - AACSB to boot. http://www.cba.csus.edu/egp/accy/index.htm
     
  14. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    after looking at this catalog (I'm not sure which program you completed or if this is the correct catalog):

    http://www.tuiu.edu/catalog/pdf/CHS-(2008-2009).pdf

    and not knowing what your bachelors is in you might have a number of prerequisite classes for either the MBA or the DBA.

    The field of your masters is more focused than an MBA. Either an MBA or a DBA would provide greater utility. I disagree with others that an MBA is duplicative (althought a few courses might be). Many MBA programs provide for a concentration (mine did) and you could add a class or two to get the requisite number of hours (18) for adjuncting. Which was a consideration for me choosing the program I did.
     
  15. haestra

    haestra New Member

    haestra

    after looking at this catalog (I'm not sure which program you completed or if this is the correct catalog):

    Kevin, my degree is M.S. in Health Sciences - Health Care Management. Specifically, these are the classes I took.
    Also, my undergraduate degree is in Radiologic Sciences. I believe I'm may be qualified to teach x-ray classes at least at the community college level.

    MHM502 - Health Care Finance
    4 Credits
    MHM506 - Health Systems Administration
    4 Credits
    MHM508 - Strategic Planning in Health Care
    4 Credits
    MHM522 - Legal Aspects of Health Administration
    4 Credits
    MHM599 - Culminating Project
    4 Credits
    MIH548 - Theory-Based Research
    MHM501 - Management and Organizational Behavior
    4 Credits
    MHM505 - Introduction to Quality Assurance
    4 Credits
    MHM514 - Health Information Systems
    4 Credits
    MHM535 - Hospital Administration
    4 Credits
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 21, 2009
  16. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    In your case I don't believe an MBA would be redundant.
     
  17. Scott Henley

    Scott Henley New Member

    I agree. It is impossible to complete a reputable DBA in three years part-time. Maybe, maybe it is possible to complete a full-time DBA in 3 to 4 years...

    Five years part-time is more reasonable for a part-time DBA or PhD. Employers are not stupid. If you CV indicates that something like the following, there might be flags raised:

    2005 - 2008 DBA, Anonymous University, Anywhere, USA

    A DBA cannot be done in three years... it took me almost 2 to do my literature review and methodology!
     
  18. tribilin80

    tribilin80 Member

    if teaching is an option for the future, why not PHD?

    TUI seems to have a simple degree structure and having attended previously I would assume you are already used to their teaching/evaluation methods.
     
  19. haestra

    haestra New Member

    haestra

    You wrote: if teaching is an option for the future, why not PHD?

    TUI seems to have a simple degree structure and having attended previously I would assume you are already used to their teaching/evaluation methods.

    I have considered TUI's PHD business program, but somehow it doesn't seem to cover enough business courses. Maybe I should speak with a TUI counselor to get the specifics of the program. Another to thing to consider is how well a PHD from TUI will be received by employers.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2009
  20. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Scott,

    How about the following exception:

    Kennesaw State University, AACSB DBA 3 years part-time

    http://coles.kennesaw.edu/dba/CourseScheduleTuition.htm


    Other than the cost the Kennesaw DBA is the best option in my opinion. But Florida is supposed to be coming out with a DBA and Nova may achieve AACSB.

    I have also been looking at Anderson University due to cost, but the residencies in January don't enthuse me:

    4 years part time

    http://www.anderson.edu/falls/dba/overview/schedule.html
     

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