Georgetown MSF vs Part time MBA

I was recently accepted to Georgetown's Online MSF program, and am strongly considering accepting the offer. I am a former Naval Submarine Officer/Nuclear Engineer who is working as a Consultant at large, Washington, D.C. consulting firm that specializes in cost analysis, primarily on government/defense projects. My goal is to break into private equity at some point, and one day become the CEO of a company.

I am weighing up my options, and would appreciate any insight. I am 32, and have 10 years work experience in both the Navy and private sector. I did not go for an MBA because of the opportunity cost associated with it (I was offered several lucrative jobs when I was transitioning from the military, so I did not see the need to spend time and money on an MBA when I could be getting work experience and making money). At this point, I am too old to get into a top 10 program, so I do not want to waste my time applying. The MSF program intrigued me because it will be virtually free for me because I have GI Bill benefits, and the online format will work well with my schedule. However, I am not sure if the juice will be worth the squeeze. I am primarily relying on my work experience and job performance to get me the jobs I want. I thought this degree would give me the background in finance I need to transition from consulting to PE. I am also looking into getting a part time/EMBA at Wharton, UVA, Columbia, or Georgetown. The few people I have spoken with have advised against the MSF and advocated an MBA. However, I would rather go the MSF route because it will give me a harder skillset and the format is better for me.

Should I go for the MSF or apply for part-time MBA/EMBA programs?

5 Comments
 
Best Response

You should do an MSF. Frankly, if I were in your shoes, I think your instinct is correct that you need a harder skill set. The fluff in most MBA programs that do not correlate to Finance is just plain unnecessary. Besides, an MSF would be a shorter time frame and likely lower cost. Plus, the MSF could, depending on coursework be more keyed to a CFA exam should you choose to do the CFA down the road.

 

Adipisci magni quia eos sed. Numquam minus voluptatem perspiciatis unde sint. Enim ipsam voluptate et voluptatibus. Et sint voluptate libero quia.

Officiis consequuntur quasi necessitatibus omnis alias autem. Voluptatem sequi occaecati molestias et dolor.

Aliquid perspiciatis animi omnis et adipisci sit velit. Aut maiores laboriosam officia dignissimos et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”