Getting two MBA degrees: Does it make sense?

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by Cyber, Dec 3, 2010.

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  1. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    I've always wondered why folks get two MBAs (even if in different specializations/concentrations). If it does make sense, would this mean that two DBAs (for example: DBA in Management and DBA in strategic leadership), two PhDs; for example, PhD in Information Systems and PhD in Information Assurance would also make sense? Further, would it make sense to pursue a DPA in public policy, as well as DPA in emergency management, for instance? I know that there's nothing wrong with learning and acquiring new knowledge. But getting more than one degree with the same naming convention have always got me thinking, especially, since specializations/concentrations are not often required to be listed with degrees. In many situations, someone with two MBA would list the degree as: MBA, MBA. Am I wrong in thinking this way? I really would like to know...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2010
  2. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    Though I'm not in the market for an MBA (so I probably don't understand the intricacies of that world) from the outside looking in, it seems like getting two would be overkill.

    Unless there was something "wrong" with the first MBA and it's somehow hindering the person's career progress, or the second MBA could be obtained with minimal effort (which would put it in the "why not" category) I don't really see the point.
     
  3. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    We're certainly on the same "page." As you rightfully put it, "minimal effort" would be one reason to get two MBAs, for example. The ability to transfer a good chunk of credits from the first program which reduces course requirement for the second is a valid argument. However, the earned degrees would still be listed as MBA, MBA, which could attract unnecessary questions from a potential employer in some situations (although hiding one MBA from a resume is also an option). It would be nice to hear the rationale behind the decision to get two MBA by those who actually have 'em (there are several in this forum).
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I wouldn't do it because it just seems like too much redundancy. Better to pile up some certs or something like that. Get a PM cert or finance or computer certs (all depending on your area). Get a Leadership CAGS or an LLM or take up knitting but don't earn another MBA.
     
  5. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I agree. I would think that an MBA with a few extra certifications would be more valuable than two MBA's. That is, unless you are just an education junkie.
     
  6. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Speaking only for my motivation to pursue a 2nd MBA specialization:

    1. Am now working in the public sector; the MBA with a concentration in public administration made sense to me personally
    2. Allowed the university’s maximum of 12 transfer hours toward the additional degree (though none came from my previous MBA degree credits)
    3. What would be so complex in offering an explanation for earning two separate MBA degrees from 2-different universities with 2-dissimilar specializations /concentrations; it could be viewed as dimension to professional competency?

    P.S. For my part I wouldn’t utilize the MBA designation twofold after my name (though I expect I could). In fact, I don’t officially employ any degree designations after my name (e.g., document signature or business card), including the M.Ed.
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I tend to agree with this. I am getting a second MBA because my first was from CCU and this one will be RA.
     
  8. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Are you insinuating that I don't make sense? :evil:
     
  9. I can think of very few situations where getting two MBA's would be a good idea. Two PhD's makes more sense if, say, you got a PhD in physics and a PhD in biology. Crossed terminal degrees makes sense, like a PhD and an MD. I can see getting two MBA's if one is NA and you want an RA but if you just want another specialization, that could be acquired with graduate certificates or an MA/MS.

    Maybe Ted can share how he got a second MBA in a year's time. If you can get an additional MBA in one year then I can't see the harm, I guess.
     
  10. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Well, everyone stole my comments, but I will make them anyway, like a grade school kid who raises his hand, shouting OOOH OOOH OOOH only to repeat the same answer another student just gave.

    1) Talk to Ted Heiks. He lived it and can be your Oracle of Business Administration.

    2) I'm not sure why one would need two MBAs, since my research suggests that the main difference between one MBA and another would be the concentration courses. It really makes no sense to do another MBA just to get another concentration (unless that happens to be a set in stone, specific requirement for your goals). To me, it makes a whole lot of sense to just get some graduate certificates. For example, maybe you have an MBA with no concentration, but then you can go on and complete the necessary courses to get a certificate in Finance and a certificate in Management.

    3) Compare this to getting an MA in Psychology AND an MA in Psychology with a concentration in addiction counseling. Eh? Nah, I wouldn't do it unless the first degree was not properly accredited for my goals (for example, licensure needed to work as a therapist in the State of XYZ).
     
  11. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Well, for starters, two MBA degrees with different concentrations is simply not redundant. Then there's also the fact that the 33 quarter hours of management core courses from the first MBA could be recycled into the second MBA, leaving only the twelve quarter hours of marketing courses for the second MBA.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 5, 2010
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    OK, I understand that you don't have to do the whole thing over again, but I haven't heard anything from anyone about how it is an advantage to have 2 MBAs. Not one anecdote about, "I never would have become CEO of Whatever, Inc. if I hadn't gotten that second MBA. I'm just saying that you could probably achieve the same ends (in terms of marketing yourself) through other means.

    Ted - I know that you're a History buff. Would you earn a Masters degree in History and then go off and earn another Masters degree in History? I'm thinking "probably not." I'm thinking that you'd enhance your career more by doing something like research/journal articles, book writing, or even getting a PhD.

    This is not my thing guys. I don't even have one MBA. But does having two MBAs really put you at a competitive advange in the marketplace? More so than earning certs or a Leadership CAGS or something like that? If the answer is yes then the next question is, why not three MBAs? Four? :dunno:
     
  13. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    1. Well, the idea of the MBA in Entrepreneurship was to start a used bookstore, but I graduated so heavily indebted that it was out of the question to borrow even more money to start a business. Hence, the MBA in Marketing.

    2. Well, I could easily see myself doing an MA in Civil War History and an MA in Ancient and Classical History at American Military University, if I were welcome back.

    3. Not sure if it makes one any more competitive in the marketplace, but why not six MBAs?
     
  14. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    It doesn't really make sense. The MBA is a generalist degree that reaches across all business disciplines. While you can build a concentration via electives, if you really want to study two separate areas get the MBA then earn a MA or MS In another functional area.
     
  15. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    ________
    :Flush:
     
  16. mark74

    mark74 New Member

    While I understand that this is how the school did it in your case, I don't think most schools would grant a second MBA in this situation. I think they might just tack on an additional concentration after granting the degree. If we were talking about MBAs from different schools, I don't think it would be possible in most cases to apply this many credits to a different MBA program, particularly if they had already been used toward another degree.

    Because of that, I think it would normally be very redundant to get a second MBA since there would be a lot of overlap in required courses (and I think that is what others were thinking too). In your case though, there was clearly no redundancy.
     
  17. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I have considered a second AACSB MBA because my MBA is from NCU with a specialization in Homeland Security. The NCU MBA is just an MBA in name only because it was very lite on actual business admin. content.
     
  18. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I resemble that remark.
     
  19. syetab

    syetab New Member

    Mehtab

     
  20. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Actually, I see this situation often. Few scenarios for this.

    One scenario is an individual with an MBA from an unknown school that immigrates to Canada, then the person finds out that nobody would hire him or her so the person decides to do a second MBA from a Canadian school just to enter the job market.

    Another situation is an individual with an old MBA that has been out of the job market for a while so he or she decides to do a second MBA to access job placement services, job fairs, etc.

    The third situation is an individual that has a low tier MBA than then decides to join an Ivy League school so he or she can profit from the bran name of the school for career advancement.

    A fourth situation is a professional adjunct that wants a second MBA with a major in a second subject just to get more adjunct work. I know that you can accomplish this with a graduate certificate but a second MBA just looks better.
     

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