As a non-MBA graduate business student myself, I wanted to start a discussion on how companies view these degrees and programs and how they relate to a MBA. Master of finance, real estate, management, accountancy, commerce, etc. programs are exploding in popularity both as a way for universities to make money and for students with college degrees already to rebrand themselves rapidly without having to wait until they have 3-5 years of experience.
These type of programs do seem to struggle to define who their graduates are, however. When you graduate with a MBA, everyone in the country knows where you stand. In contrast, MIM students seem to be more born-again business undergrads, MSF students are treated like analysts by investment banks but associates elsewhere, and I can tell you from experience that the gap in employment response and roles between Real Estate graduate students in the same program is tremendous.
I have seen Master of Accountancy students return for a MBA, and I wonder about that for other programs, but of course doing multiple masters degrees has to make you wonder if all of the money and time you're putting toward education couldn't be better utilized elsewhere.
So, for those of you who have these degrees, are in these programs, or hire these types of graduates, what are your thoughts on the long term viability of these graduates? Should they go back to get a MBA? Should they have gotten a MBA instead? Should they not even consider spending another $100k and 1-2 years in school now that they have a Masters degree already?
A macc exists for the CPA. The other degrees get less "respect" or whatever simply because graduates are more junior. If someone did a MBA right out of undergrad they'd get the same feeling and experience even though they have the "superior" degree.
Once you graduate and work you'll find little difference over the years. It's a specialized graduate degree.
MiM is not terminal. There are a couple of London Business School MiMs at HBS each year doing an MBA, normally after 2 years of consulting.
Exactly! Many graduates from top European pre-experience Business Master Programs (London Business School, HEC Paris, etc.) do go to US post-experience MBA programs 3-to-5 years later. Pre-experience Master Programs are so much more grounded and far more common in Europe. Attending those does not exclude people from enrolling in an MBA Program before their early thirties. :)
Did a masters degree in Information Systems in business school. Complimented my technical experience with relevant knowledge and confirmed expertise in IT industry - now doing an MBA and I should have a much better positioning for tech related companies, not to mention that I have some hard skills I can utilise anytime in my career.
An MBA is not required with an MSF. 2 years after graduation, and with 2 total years of full time work experience, I'm making more than most of the MBA grads from my school at graduation and paid half as much for my degree. Many of my peers are doing better. 24 year old kids with little-to-no debt, making 180k - 220k a year 2 years out.
It's just a name on a resume. A box to check. I think specialized masters degrees will replace the MBA.
I got a MAcc and am very glad that I did. The main reason I went for a MAcc was a better brand name. I went from a complete no name undergrad to Kelley School of Business MAcc. Going to Kelley allowed me to get multiple Big 4 offers, where there is zero chance I would have gotten those offers out of undergrad.
Also, now that I'm in the real world (non-public accounting) having the Masters degree has allowed me to check the box for higher salary and title without getting an mba.
However, I will say that the value of MAcc is a little bit up to interpretation. Some view it as an equivalent as an MBA, some do not. I will likely get to a CFO position in the near future without an MBA because I've demonstrated the capabilities required, but an MBA would likely help (and couldn't hurt). I have spoken to a few recruiters who really think I'd need the MBA, but I've proven myself internally so that's where I'll stay to get my promotion.
For what it's worth, I am considering getting an executive MBA, but it's not a requirement. I think I'd gain knowledge, leadership skills and network through the MBA that would be valuable, but even if I get the exec MBA the MAcc definitely got me on the right path and I'm glad for that.
Would love to see this thread fire back up, considering I would have phrased my question the same way on a post. My non-target school was located in a major market, with a real estate program that is rapidly expanding and producing great results for alumni after college. The question for me is, does an MSRE look weird next to an undergrad real estate major? Ultimately shooting for development, currently at a respected name brand brokerage, tenant rep side analyst.
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