MBA or MS before PhD

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by bceagles, Dec 9, 2006.

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  1. bceagles

    bceagles Member

    MBA or MS before PhD

    I know I’m putting the cart before the horse here (I’m not finished with my BS yet) ….. What would best suit someone for a PhD of Business or Finance or something ….. An MBA or an MS in Finance or something?

    The reason I’m asking is b/c I was reading the DePaul Univ. Grad school brochure and it made a reference to students who wish to move on to a PhD program (DePaul doesn’t offer a PhD) might want to consider an MS instead of the MBA.

    Any opinions out there?
     
  2. foobar

    foobar Member

    It depends.

    Someone with an MS in accounting or finance would be better prepared for a PhD in the respective fields than someone with an MBA. However, MBAs are routinely admitted to PhD programs in business.

    My experience is that I was expected to know all the accounting I needed before entering the program. The PhD was all about learning how to think like an academic and learning how to do accounting research.
     
  3. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    My two cents - The M.S. in finance gives you a better, more indepth background for pusuing a doctorate.

    A MBA is generally more broadbased. You usually take 1-2 classes in a subject area. I don't feel that this sets you up well for advanced studies in a specific subject area.
     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    It was explained to me that both the MBA and the MS are terminal degrees that do not prepare students for doctoral level research and that the MA is specifically designed for students who are going to pursue a doctorate. However, in recent years, I think that the lines have become blurred.

    If you know you are going to pursue a doctorate, then I would suggest choosing a masters degree that will transfer the most credits into your doctoral program.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I would think the MS would better prepare you. The MS in more focused than the MBA.
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    The MS program has a thesis, this will prepare you better for the PhD. The MBA is a course based program designed to give you a broad understanding of business.

    Many academics tag the MBA as the mickey mouse degree and the MS as the "real" degree. The MS has more prestige in the academic community and will give more chances for admission into a good PhD program.
     
  7. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Go for the MS.
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Incidentally, I don't think this is putting the cart before the horse. The right time to think about grad school is while you're still an undergrad. In fact, I specifically knew I wanted a Master's in educational technology before I even started to finish my Bachelor's.

    As far as your actual question, consider that if you want to teach that you will need eighteen graduate credit-hours in a particular specific subject, and that a MS is more likely than an MBA to provide that.

    Good luck,

    -=Steve=-
     
  9. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    BC,

    Although I went the MBA/PhD route and am happy with the choice, because you are thinking accounting/finance, you should give strong consideration to those who are advising you to do the MS route. You will go into more depth in your speciality.

    I'm also wondering if you have given any consideration to JD/MBA programs with a concentration in finance?

    Shawn
     

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