MBA v. Master of Science in Leadership and Information Technology

For the moment assume the MBA has a concentration or focus in information technology just to compare MacIntosh apples to Delicious apples.

I am wondering about the difference between an MBA and a graduate degree in leadership. Is one preferable over the other in terms of moving into management roles? My goal is to move away from the day-to-day hands-on technical side of IT and into a leadership role.

 

I vote for MBA, everyone knows what it is and it is more versatile. I would think you would get lots of "deer in the headlights" looks regarding a MS in Leadership. I suppose the two combined might be intriguing to some.

I know you want to compare to a MBA-IT but you said you want to get out of the technical side and into the leadership side, so how about an MBA in Leadership. Here are several: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-mba/leadership-mba.htm

 

I love the idea of a Master of Science in Leadership, but the MBA is a proven path. The MSL is fairly new and I don't like being a guinea pig.

That said if you are interested in Leadership and want an MBA look no further than St. Joseph's College MBA in Leadership. You'd dig it if leadership is your thing.

 

I appreciate the feedback. My concern is the saturation of the marketplace with MBA holders and want to differentiate myself (in a postive way). I will certainly look into the MBA at St. Joseph's given the positive postings others have contributed about the school.

 

I agree St. Joseph looks good. There really are not that many MBAs in most industries. Even in thos other industries (i.e. management consulting, investment banking) MBAs are essentially required. 95% of the time hiring managers are going to be very impressed with an MBA, especially from a reputable institution. I just don't buy the differentiation idea. Maybe if MBAs were as usual as bachelor degrees it would be different, but they are not and never will be.

An MBA is the logical next step to management in business, it just is. Maybe you would find 1 person out of 50 that thinks you are special enough with the oddball degree to hire you over the MBAs. But why limit yourself. The MBA with a Leadership concentration sounds a good fit for you.

 

For me it's a MBA.

Many senior-level managers working for Fortune 500 companies, for example, have MBAs. If leadership interests you then choose a MBA with a leadership concentration. Saturation or not....the MBA is still the name brand for business.

Just my two cents...