ATOT whats your views on MBA's (Master in Business Admin) AACSB or ACBSP Accredited?

[xeemzor]

Is it worth looking into a JD/MBA? Last time I checked tuition at some places were insane. Off hand I remember Northwestern's JD/MBA program cost something like $67k/year just for tuition.

 

[Meractik]

MBAs are pig disgusting.

I used to tutor MBA students because they couldn't do any serious math. The work they were doing was work I did as a freshman Economics/Math student.

I sometimes think whether I want the designation for professional purposes, but I couldn't put up with sitting with retards in classes for 18 months and paying out the ass for the pleasure of doing so. I'd rather get a free PhD.

Those are some harsh words, although I will mention that while auditing a simple Accounting class last night the students where stumbling on very very very simple accounting exercises that they where expected to do prior to class and come to class to discuss. I have no accounting background what so ever and I was able to simply follow along and get the answers just because I took an accounting in my final term months ago for my undergrad. I started to get irritated but I stopped myself from interjecting since I was just there to audit and I did not want to make the other students look bad.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Is it worth looking into a JD/MBA? Last time I checked tuition at some places were insane. Off hand I remember Northwestern's JD/MBA program cost something like $67k/year just for tuition.

JD/MBAs are interesting. The argument against them is that you will likely come out of school with the same job as if had only done one of them so you can't really justify the extra expense and time in school (i.e. Biglaw or BB investment banking).

The other knock is that the number of jobs that you really need both degrees in is tiny. However those tend to be amazing jobs like private equity.

My short answer is if you have a genuine interest in both law and business then you should consider it but don't expect to make up the extra cost, at least in the short run.

 

[xeemzor]

JD/MBAs are interesting. The argument against them is that you will likely come out of school with the same job as if had only done one of them so you can't really justify the extra expense and time in school (i.e. Biglaw or BB investment banking).

The other knock is that the number of jobs that you really need both degrees in is tiny. However those tend to be amazing jobs like private equity.

My short answer is if you have a genuine interest in both law and business then you should consider it but don't expect to make up the extra cost, at least in the short run.

Yea, that's kinda what I was looking for. I work as an auditor now but was considering moving to Transaction Services/PEGs/iBanking/Big Law. It's just painful to swallow the $210k in tuition plus 3 years of lost wages.

 

[Meractik]

Stuff you learn in MBA class you can pretty much learn on your own. What matters is the network and connections that you make. This is why top MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, etc) is very hard to get in, you really need to have strong work experience, and you will meet like minded people.

I agree with that opinion which is why I am wondering if it is more worth my time to seek a more technical Masters rather then MBA...

Pretty much.
I had the option of doing a specialization in my MBA and chose not to. Employers don't care. They see B.Sc, MBA, and that's where they stop.
My philosophy when choosing classes was to go through the list and check off anything that looked really interesting and whatever I ended up with I'd be happy with. I was pretty close to a finance specialization, but didn't care to do the other 4 finance classes, so I just stuck with general. Hasn't hurt me at all.
An MBA isn't particularly difficult for someone from a technical undergrad. The material is easy, but depending on your personality, you may have to learn a bit about working with crappy information and interesting team members.
It's not so much what you learn as it is networking and job searching. If you're in management, chances are you won't be doing much by way of actually coding or building a security system. You'll be managing the people who will do that. Knowledge of the task is important to some degree, but you don't need to know all the ins and outs in order to effectively manage a team. Other things become important.

Would you consider employer's in your experience to consider an MBA to be about the same or better then a regular Masters in the positions related discipline?

 

[Meractik]

I hope I didn't miss this in your OP, but my advice to you is to NOT pay for it yourself. Too risky -- there are lots and lots of unemployed and underemployed MBAs and to mitigate the risk, have your employer pay for it. That way, if it doesn't work out, you've just invested your own time and won't be paying off loans for years.

I hear that, no worries though I got the GI Bill on my back so this is basically the last venture for me in free education (which is why I want to choose smartly and not pick a masters program that won't help me one bit...)

 

[Meractik]

i'm of the belief that the specific field or degree barely makes a difference in IT. from the hr side of things, if you have a masters in anything remotely relating it counts. from the technical/functional interviewer side, it's what you know and experiences you have along with personality that makes the bigger difference. To me it would make more sense to have a security background /w certs and the master's if you're set on it than to spend the extra time for an emphasis.

I just feel like I owe it to myself to get the Masters since its basically free so i won't be holding the debt for years... i just want to pick the best major that suits me so its not a waste of my time. I do think though that certifications might be worth more in the 'real world' then spending the extra year on the emphasis.... I have worked with contractors in the past and feel that through my work ethic and character I would be a welcoming asset to an organization/company.

 

[Meractik]

Does it matter? Yeah, it does. In business, it's all about the names and degrees you associate yourself with. Why did my fiancee get her new job? Because she had Deloitte and Touche on her resume. It was just a lousy internship where she did tax accounting stuff, but everyone sees the name and calls her up. She used to get these emails from different recruiters everyday. She got sick of it, so she just ignores her linkedin account now.

As for the MBA, yeah, that is sort of a big deal. They just hired a new accountant at my fiancee's job. Why did she stand out? She had an MBA. It was from this no name college, but it was still an MBA. The issue with the MBA is that it was supposed to be for people who were in the industry and wanted to pursue a higher degree that involved industry expereince. It's really not the case anymore since kids are getting their MBA straight out of school now. As a result, there is sort of an industry confusion as what the MBA really is.

What would you weigh-in as a stronger asset to a potential employee an MBA and undergrad in the jobs discipline or a Masters which is directly attached to the job field for which you are applying?

 

[Gibson486]

What would you weigh-in as a stronger asset to a potential employee an MBA and undergrad in the jobs discipline or a Masters which is directly attached to the job field for which you are applying?

That depends on what career path you want. That is the point of those degrees. There are people who simply get those degrees to get them for promotions or more money, then there are people who get them because they recognize how it can specifically help their career.

For example, my former co worker is getting his MBA. He could have got his Masters in Mechanical Engineering like most of his colleagues did, but he doesn't want to do that because he enjoys the business side of engineering more.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Being in IT, a MBA can help you considerably for higher level positions/management. My last couple of jobs, the MBA was one factor that placed me above other applicants, especially when the position requires having to interact with upper management in Finance. I also emphasized in two areas, one which the school is top in the country.

 

[z0mb13]

Take the specialization only if you think you will gain something out of it, and the subject actually interests you.

 

[zinfamous]

get a real masters.

then supplement with an MBA, if you feel that you must.

 

[zinfamous]

I think you are overestimating the probability of getting in at Goldman or Mckinsey without going to a top school. If they don't have on campus recruiting at your school it's nearly impossible.

yeah, so the MBAs at Goldman's were/are obviously very smart, worthwhile people...

 

[Meractik]

get a real masters.

then supplement with an MBA, if you feel that you must.

maybe im wrong here but it almost seems like with the way universities and schools market their MBA programs that they make MBA sound like its 'better' then a Masters program thats marketed towards a specific discipline... I mean just the credits alone leads you to believe for a masters in a specific discipline its less work then a MBA...

 

[silverpig]

I think you are overestimating the probability of getting in at Goldman or Mckinsey without going to a top school. If they don't have on campus recruiting at your school it's nearly impossible.

It's difficult for sure, but certainly not impossible. My school has almost no on-campus recruiting due to being on the west coast, and it doesn't rank near the top 10, but we land several people at BCG, Bain, McK and Goldman every year.

It's definitely easier if they come to you, but if you're talented and you go to them, they'll take you.

Talent wins over brand if the company is smart.

 

[silverpig]

I agree with that opinion which is why I am wondering if it is more worth my time to seek a more technical Masters rather then MBA...



Would you consider employer's in your experience to consider an MBA to be about the same or better then a regular Masters in the positions related discipline?

Depends on the company and the career path you want to go down. It really does.

In "business" businesses, an MBA for sure. In technical businesses, the master's might help a bit more, but it will put you on a different career path.

IMO, a good solid technical undergrad (engineering, compsci, math/physics/chem) + an MBA is a great way to go.

 

[Meractik]

Depends on the company and the career path you want to go down. It really does.

In "business" businesses, an MBA for sure. In technical businesses, the master's might help a bit more, but it will put you on a different career path.

IMO, a good solid technical undergrad (engineering, compsci, math/physics/chem) + an MBA is a great way to go.

That is what I was thinking originally but when i go into the MBA classes and see the students and look at the course work its almost like nothing is challenging and hard to do just a lot of 'operational awareness' type of learning where you get to see what goes on across the board in the different departments in business environment.

My undergrad was technical and challenging at times (its a Bachelors in Science in Computer Information Technology) but it just looks like the MBA is going to be more managing and solving bigger projects and issues on a larger scale. (which is where the more money comes into play that I desire...)

Some of the stuff for the emphasis's look interesting but the MBA core courses come first in the MBA program... Plus some people are saying an MBA is an MBA for the IT industry I would be better off just getting certs with the money/time instead of emphasis.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Just to be clear is this a regular 60 credit MBA and you talking about adding 24 more credits on top of it?

 

[Meractik]

Just to be clear is this a regular 60 credit MBA and you talking about adding 24 more credits on top of it?

The Main MBA course is 36 credits total but if you want an emphasis then its 12 credits on top of the 36.

 

[Saint Nick]

Be like me and do a combination MIS/MBA program D:

 

[Meractik]

UPDATE 12/10/11 *new question* As far as an MBA program do you believe that it really matters to have an AACSB Accredited MBA or a ACBSP Accredited MBA? Or would you feel or have you experienced in your career that an MBA is pretty much an MBA... unless its from like a top 5 school....

 

[silverpig]

If it is from a reputable school, don't worry about accreditation.

 

[Meractik]

Silverpig,

What specifically would you consider to be determining factors in a school being deemed 'reputable' ?

 

[silverpig]

Silverpig,

What specifically would you consider to be determining factors in a school being deemed 'reputable' ?

If you have to ask, it probably isn't reputable

 

[Meractik]

If you have to ask, it probably isn't reputable

I am just curious as to whether we're both of the same understanding of what makes a school reputable.