You're both right. The thought hit me a while after I posted and had crashed out for the night, and here are two posts waiting for me in the AM. I've been in IT twenty-plus years. Some programming, mostly network and desktop support. I've cracked lower management finally, but I'm looking to move up further and it appears I will need a master's to accomplish that. Given other things going on in my world currently, I'd rather not do an MBA just yet, so the two degrees I listed look like my best options. So what say you?
Well, given what you've said so far, I vote for the MS in Management. Question, though: Is the difference between this and an MBA for you that you believe that an MS would be stronger should you decide to go on for doctoral study?
There are a couple issues with an MBA at the moment: 1. Cost (getting a good program, preferably a name school) 2. Workload (young kids at home) More concerned about the next step on the ladder than later steps, but the later steps are partly why I've ruled out NA schools for now. I can always go back and get a NA diploma later if I want some window dressing. Doctorate. . . wow. I'd probably go for an MBA then a DBA down the line if I were to do that. Maybe a doctorate in IT as it would be more relevant to what I do and see in the workplace than CS, but a DBA would have more career value-- and not much at that unless I want to shoot for university tenure.
If you select to go on with MS in Management, i would suggest you look at Texas A&M Commerce. Its AACSB accredited, no GMAT if ur GPA is 3.0 and above. I loved the program a lot. Learnt a lot and made very good professional friends.
If your goal is to move up the management ladder, I agree with the others that the M.S. in Management is the way to go, although I don't see you being hindered by an M.B.A. If cost and workload are the prohibitive factor for the M.B.A., check out the online program at Fitchburg State University, 30 credits, completely online, and very inexpensive for an RA program; Online Graduate Degree Programs - Online MBA Not exactly a "brand" name, but it has the instant credibility of a state school, and you can choose a management track.
CUNY: online MS in Management and Leadership (30 credit program) SPS - The CUNY School of Professional Studies at the Graduate Center Tarleton State University: MS in Management and Leadership MS - Management and Leadership - Tarleton State University USC: Executive Master of Leadership Executive Master of Leadership - USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development St. Joseph University: Masters in Organizational Development and Leadership Organizational Leadership and Development Master's Program | Online Leadership Program | Saint Joseph's University NJIT: MS in Management NJIT: Adult Learner : MS Management Creighton University: Masters in Information Technology Leadership Information Technology Degrees | Masters in Information Technology Leadership | Creighton University Indiana University: MS in Strategic Management Online Master of Science in Strategic Management University of Guelph (CAN): MA in Leadership (requires two week-long residential stays at the University) MA (Leadership) Program | CME Notre Dame De Namur University: MS in Management Master of Science in Management Online| MS in Management | Notre Dame De Namur