mountain state masters in leadership

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by originalbigjim, Feb 11, 2008.

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  1. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    I am partial to Bellevue's Leadership program. Bellevue has been doing it for quite a while and they offer Leadership degrees at both the undergrad and grad level. They are also ranked Top 20 for their internal leadership programs (for employees). I can't help but believe that some of the same leadership philosophies and practices that earned their top 20 ranking would trickle through to the degree programs.

    As for the type of job this type of degree would apply to, I believe it would apply extremely well to any type of upper management/business field. For example, I am a VP for a property management/real estate firm. I would look favorably on this degree when hiring for regional directors as long as the candidates also had successful real life experience. I would expect that the degree would look very good on the resume of someone at my level or higher as well. I think a great comination would be an undergrad degree in management with the grad degree in Leadership, or the undergred in Leadership with a MBA.

    Pug
     
  2. skidadl

    skidadl Member


    Interesting and insightful thoughts there, Pug.

    Thank you.
     
  3. Joe Certification

    Joe Certification New Member

    I agree! I have held mid to senior level positons at three fortune 25 companies (21 years total) and I hire people at the director and senior manager level. At those levels (and higher), I am very partial to graduate degrees emphasizing leadership. I think Mountain State looks great and I look very favorably towards Bellevue, Duquesne and St. Joseph's College of Maine. In my view, leadership is a very key competency as you ascend the corporate ladder. The higher you go, the more important it becomes.
     
  4. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    Have you considered perhaps completing a certificate program in Leadership instead? Cornell has an Executive Leadership certificate program available and I am currently pursuing this one myself. This is a great program and a reputable school. Below is the link to their online subsidiary.

    www.ecornell.com
     
  5. What is really drawing me to mountain state is the fact that it is a one year program, I am going to be out of the military in about 18 mounts and I think to achieve the salary I am looking for it will be essential to have a masters degree. I am leaning towards federal employment because of the job security but with a degree like this I think I could go anywhere. If you guys know of any other one year programs that aren't MBAs please let me know.
     
  6. Dave C.

    Dave C. New Member

    JNelson,

    I would love to get more details on this Cornell course from you, especially regarding how demanding it is timewise, do you need to carry out assignments, how long does each module take etc.

    I am seriously thinking about completing the same course post-MBA.

    OJB, I'm not hijacking your thread, this Cornell course is a definite option for you I think, but I seem to remember you are just 22, would it not be better to wait until you have had a few years of post-military work experience before you look at a leadership program? Don't be deceived into thinking a leadership masters will be a quick fix to a film star salary...although I admire your ambition and the course does look good.

    All the best,

    Dave C.
     
  7. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member


    If you like Mountain State because of its program content you should go for it. If the big thing that is attracting you is the one year accelerated format, I'd really consider Bellevue as they also offer the one year option. I don't think there is a wrong choice here, I'm just partial to Bellevue for the reasons I mentioned in my first post.

    Pug
     
  8. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    Without knowing the specifics of your situation I can't really make an informed comment here, but let me say that I absolutely look for work experience when hiring for leadership positions. The degree will certainly help, but there is no substitute for experience.

    Pug
     
  9. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    I hate to be part of derailing the thread, but I can't resist...

    Jnelson, if you are a take-the-world-by-the-horns guy, go for it.

    Piling up education cannot possibly hurt you.

    You might face some roadblocks because of your age, but then again, you might not.
     
  10. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    I agree. I was not suggesting that he delay enrollment in the leadership program because of his age. I was suggesting that even after graduation he may find himself in need of some life experience before being given executive leadership opportunities.

    Pug
     
  11. Jigamafloo

    Jigamafloo New Member

    Hiya, Jim! Like others here, I'd like to both encourage you, AND throw a dose of realism your way. To begin with, congratulations and thank you for your service, your ambition, and intent to provide the best for yourself and your family. These are laudable and admirable goals for someone so young!

    Now, your ambition is stellar...I can't really fault you there...but you may want to temper your expectations. I'm a military retiree myself, and the degree did indeed get me a number of interviews. What got me the JOB(S) was hard won experience, demonstrated long term achievement, and the ability to communicate the same....you can't fake that in front of someone knowledgeable.

    Don't be so confident about federal jobs either. If you have something lined up, then GREAT, but there seems to be an expectation among military retirees and seperatees that there's an equal and better paying position out there in Civil Service for every one that gets out, and that these jobs are just there for the taking. At the level you're apparently aiming for, you'll compete with every career Civil Servant (a formidable mafia), "10 point preference" disabled vets and retirees, and civilian applicants with equal education and MUCH more experience. As mentioned above, I'm trying to give you a realistic view of the situation, not completely discourage you from trying, but know what you're getting into.

    As for some final advice, go for the degree (wherever you decide to get the Masters), bask in the admiration you’ll get by tackling something so difficult and forward thinking at such and early age, but be prepared to take the jobs others may not want, or that you may not initially think of. Executive positions are earned through experience….. at 22 you can separate yourself from the pack early, but lead sled dogs get there over time. I’m rooting for you – take care!

    Dave
     
  12. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    Dave,

    An ECornell course is in my opinion, a very well thought out and created course and is of high quality. It requires online class participation and case studies that are usually chosen by the students with guidance from the instructor. There are timebound assignments that must also be completed by due dates and also the required participation and involvment within the exercises is monitored to fullfill course completion.
    I thoroughly enjoyed the courses I have taken through them and it is an additional credential that enhances one's skillset.

    The course is active for I believe 6 weeks, however, the required course participation is usually completed within the first 2-3 weeks. From my experience, a course can be completed in within 20 hours of active study.

    As mentioned towards the original poster of the thread, based on the age and perhaps lack of work experience, the Executive Leadership certificate for ECornell I feel is created towards a experienced and or managerial type as a enhancement to his or her skills.

    I have chosen to pursue the certificate as my employer pays for it and it is an enhancer to my MBA.

    I hope this may help some.
     
  13. Thank you for all of the helpful incite from someone who has been there. You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear some constructive criticism.
    Although I may have gave the wrong impression as to what I am looking for in employment. I have talked to some of the recruiters and some of the federal agencies and they say that they can almost guarantee that I get hired... at entry level positions and really I cannot expect much more than that. What they told me is that they could provide me with a higher pay grade based on education. as for the private sector, up until this point outside of defense contract I am coming up empty handed. I am not looking to get out of the military and move into the corner office with the view, I do understand the importance of working my way up but what I hope to achieve by getting a masters is to be able to work my way up from somewhere in the middle instead of the bottom.
     
  14. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member


    Looks like you have a sound plan. Let us know which school you select!

    Pug
     
  15. Well guys I looked into bellevue, They are a lot more expensive and the program is 18 months apposed to 12. Since time is of the essence and speed has kind of been a theme in my pursuit of an education I am going to stick with my decision to go to mountain state, unless of course you guys can find me a better program.
     
  16. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    I think Mountain State is the program for you if it has to be done in 12 months. They may not be everyone's first choice, but I think they're still a good choice, and they may be the only choice if you need it done in a year.

    Pug
     
  17. Joe Certification

    Joe Certification New Member

    While I really like Duquesne and Bellevue, Mountain State does offer an interesting program and I don't think you can really go wrong with that decision. You seem to be driven by a sense of urgency and there is nothing wrong with that -- an MS from MS would be a nice credential!
     

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