MBA Honors?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jagmct1, Apr 7, 2005.

Loading...
  1. jagmct1

    jagmct1 New Member

    Hello Everyone,

    I'm wondering what, if any, is the proper way of distinguishing the fact that you've graduated with honors from a graduate program.

    I just recently completed my studies at Columbia Southern University, where I received my MBA/Public Administration degree.

    CSU offers an honors program from their Bachelor's program(s), but honors are not awarded at the Master's level.

    I graduated from Columbia Southern University in January 2003 with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management. I completed the program with an overall GPA 3.69 and graduated with honors, Cum Laude.

    As for my MBA, my overall GPA was 4.0. It was quite an achievement to complete this program with straight A's and it would be nice to somehow have it recognized. I'm not sure the proper way in doing so, or how to display it in a resume (i.e., 4.0 GPA or Magna Cum Laude).
     
  2. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    I think with grade nondisclosure becoming de rigeur, fewer and fewer MBA programs are handing out honors with their degrees. If honors aren't awarded to grad students at your school, don't report them. You can put the 4.0 GPA on your resume, assuming your school doesn't have a grade nondisclosure policy. I'd definitely do it. However, placing "magna cum laude" or some other term on your resume indicates your university actually awards honors - if they don't, you might find yourself caught in a lie, and it's real hard to explain that away at an interview (if you even get the interview).
     
  3. trishbee

    trishbee New Member

    MBA GPA

    In a related question, do employers look favorably at high GPAs or honor designations at the graduate level? Thanks.
     
  4. Mr. Engineer

    Mr. Engineer member

    I have never known an employer to care much about a GPA unless you are an entry-level worker.

    I am bummed that an MBA program doesn't say "Magna or Summa Cum Laude" - I guess a B average will work if that is the case. UoP only puts "honors" on the diploma - sort of bummed because I received a 3.87 overall which I believe is Summa.
     
  5. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    I used to be a sales manager in outside biz-to-biz sales, the 2 year survival rate of incoming sales reps was about 10%. When I was sifting through prospective sales rep resumes, I'd be concerned about the candidate with an extremely high GPA, as were other colleagues in management. The thinking, right or wrong, was that this was a person who'd not experienced a great deal of failure, a person who had become comfortable in the ivory towers.

    As capital equipment sales is nothing like the cozy ivory towers, and the success rate for in-person cold calls was something like 1%--2 or 3% if you were an extremely talented rep--we were concerned that the first 100 doors slammed in such a person's face would ruin them and we'd lose them.

    Occasionally, a high GPA can actually hurt you!
     
  6. Mr. Engineer

    Mr. Engineer member

    Little Fauss:

    What type of capital equipment do you sell? In the semi business - it is all about connections and networking. Some of the best sales people were seasoned veterans w/o degrees. One of the best saleman I ever worked with had no degree at all - he sold more on his own that his entire crew did. He was a Navy AT and started off as a Tech and worked his way up the ranks. He could sell snow in a snowstorm - very good with people.
     
  7. 4Q

    4Q New Member

    I graduated from TUI's MBA program with a 3.91 GPA, which is documented as "summa cum laude" on diploma and transcript. Still, you know what I say? BIG DEAL!

    A good GPA is a good GPA. Naming a high GPA "----- cum laude" is likely overkill in an employer's eyes since one's GPA and transcript should speak for themselves.

    On the other hand, such honors can be good for a person's ego I guess.
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I completed COSC with a 3.65 (or something like that) and the diploma says "With Honors" and TUI with a 3.88 and the diploma says "Summa Cum Laude".

    I would not put that on my resume. Does anyone really care? Probably not.

    I have seen applications that ask for your GPA. Only then, it would matter.
     
  9. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    I was a salesman, later a sales manager, in the copier/printer/fax sales industry--been out of that industry for years. Worked for a GF500.

    Sales were tough, lots of competition, equipment broke down often--as I'm sure you can imagine--and sales reps came and went like yesterday's newspaper. We generally wanted someone who'd been out in the world, gotten a few battle scars. Shied away from fresh-faced kids straight out of U.G. with high GPAs, worry was they'd cringe at first sign of rejection, as they weren't used to it.

    It was unusual for someone to be hired without a Bachelor's degree, but if the right person with industry experience and some success came along, they'd likely get hired.
     
  10. trishbee

    trishbee New Member

    MBA GPA

    Thanks for the input on MBA GPAs. I plan to switch industries from accounting to human resources. I have often wondered if a high GPA would help me land an HR job after grad school.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 8, 2005
  11. Dr Dave

    Dr Dave New Member

    I've had my MBA from Boston College for 31 years now. I can never recall an employer or prospective employer taking any interest in my GPA, implying that the attainment of the degree stands on its own merit.

    David A. April
    BA, University of Massachusetts/Amherst
    MBA, Boston College
    ACM, Boston College
    DBA, California Pacific University
    CAM, Institute of Certified Professional Managers
    CM, Institute of Certified Professional Managers
    CRM, Institute of Certified Records Managers
     
  12. alexdwyercote

    alexdwyercote New Member

    This is bass ackwards

    Being "hurt" by a high GPA seems more like a sign of weakness on the side of the hiring manager. In contrast, a high GPA usually indicates a highly competitive person - and thus low tolerance for failure. Only rarely does a high GPA result from an extremely intelligent person, who, most likely, lacks good social skills. These are the outliers.

     

Share This Page