Which Masters Degrees are worth the money, time and effort?

2015-05-13T21:28:15-04:00

RP Community: Which Masters Degrees are worth the money, time and effort? I have the full 36 months of the G. I. Bill allocation and an employer match program. I can't decide if an MBA is the right choice, an MS in Organizational Leadership or maybe even an MS in Emergency Management. I think I only have time for online study, but feel classroom might be more my style. What choices have you made and why?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 13 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-05-13T21:36:35-04:00

It depends on what you are planning on doing. I would say in the military MBA may be the best bet. MS is more numbers orientated whereas MB is more business focused.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 9:44 PM

2015-05-13T21:44:22-04:00

An international relations masters is very versatile and is beneficial to most government positions.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 13 at 2015 10:19 PM

2015-05-13T22:19:33-04:00

My wife is working on her 2nd & 3rd (dual) Masters at the moment. The big thing she did was look at the actual classes that made up the program and see what was relevant, and interesting. That narrowed down the 4~ programs she was looking at to 2, and when she realized that they had 75% of the same classes, she went with the dual program.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-05-13T22:26:35-04:00

I think it depends on what you want to do and what you have time for. UNC offers an online MBA and I've seen them advertising a MPA specifically designed for military; a lot of campus options in your neck of the woods--whatever you want to do is probably what you'll be most passionate about. Good luck Sir.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made May 14 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-05-14T09:09:57-04:00

Gavin, good questions. The right choice depends on what you want to do in my view. In my opinion, the MS in Emergency Management is well suited for EM, but may not translate to other areas. The MBA would be useful in understanding how businesses think and operate particularly from a profit driven point of view. That would translate to more areas. The MS in organizational leadership would also translate well broadly but is not as well known or understood as the MBA (although I think its much more valuable in reality).

All of my graduate work has been either in night classes or on-line. I obtained a MS Business Admin (MSBA) which looks a lot like the current MBAs. As you probably know MBA programs range from 32 hours to far beyond that. I completed a Doctor in Business Admin (DBA) in Organizational Leadership. The DBA is from an on-line school that has accreditation from one of the two major business school accreditation organizations (ACBSP, the other is AACSB).

I found that there are lots of MBA grads out there and too few focused on Org Leadership. (this is where I start to preach) In today's knowledge worker economy, leading is more critical than it used to be. There are lots of folks who understand the mechanics of business (the MBA) and few who understand the people side (the org leadership). The major difference is in the leadership.

I'd be glad to chat with you more on this if you want - its an interest of mine.

Best of luck on your decision.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-05-14T10:02:09-04:00

I cannot recommend a program to you (unless you like the logistics) but I can recommend the online route.

I am currently working on my Masters of Industrial Distribution through Texas A&M University. It is a 95% online program. I had concerns about it being online but it has not been to difficult. The program is completed in cohort, where a group of students is admitted and we complete the same classes together each semester and then move on to different classes the following semester. My professors understand that we all work, have families and other requirements so they do not inundate us with mounds of homework. On average I spend 6-8 hours a week per class to meet the requirements. My profs are very understanding and easily reachable if I have questions about the materials covered or life in general. My classmates and I will get together, if able, and cover materials before a test. Otherwise, we email, call and web chat. I have another year left of the program but I have already begun to look for online Ph.D. options. I'm not sure I even want a Doctorate degree but I feel so comfortable with online that I am considering it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2018 3:34 PM

2018-12-19T15:34:38-05:00

I did an MS in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University (an online program). I chose it because of its applicability to any other job, and life in general (you'll always need to engage with, lead, or be lead by, other people). The program took about 20-30 hours a week, mostly at night and on Sunday for me. Toy can choose whatever timeline you want to work it though because the Norwich program is asynchronous with no mandated classroom time, only mandated homework due time. I hope that helps, please feel free to contact me privately with any questions.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 19 at 2018 7:05 PM

2018-12-19T19:05:32-05:00

Along with type of graduate degree, there are two other questions that you need to answer.

1. Career choice after graduation (Stay in service, retire and become civilian, etc.)
2. Reputation of school (Alumni network and rankings help to either open or close doors to hiring managers)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-01-29T16:13:41-05:00

With any schooling. The question is what job do you want after graduation and then look at cost benefit. It costs more ( salary) to go in person. I have done both for different reasons. Online I got a masters ( through AMU so that I would have a degree for Major, when that was required) I have done online masters and in person JD program. You get what you put into them in my opinion although practical coursework is better understood in person. If you are unsure---It really depends on what job do you want. I would look at that job and what they have in their job postings and then ask their HR what degrees are on those types of resumes for the jobs you want. It cost me money to go in person, but I was changing directions entirely ( to become an attorney) so it was ultimately worth it. If you have any questions on using the Gi bill for masters and or doctorate degrees feel free to message me.