Getting an MBA

[gmagerr]

I have a question about getting an MBA that hopefully someone on the forum can answer.

Do I need to get a Bachelors of Science in business Administration to get an MBA, or could I get a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology for example, then from that get an MBA?

Thanks

[throwitup37]

From what I understand, you can have a Bachelors in anything you want. However, many MBAs require that you have taken prerequisite courses in the business field. So, for example, I'm getting a bachelors in business management; therefore, I would not have to take any prereqs b/c I've already taken them in my bachelors degree. If you have a bachelors in education or criminal justice, etc, you will most likely have to take the prereqs for the MBA. Each school will tell you specific prereq courses though so check with them first.

[rebel100]

The pre-recs are the key, the schools I have looked at just want to see the right core classes you can find that on the internet. SOmetimes they require the classes to be within 7 years (Univ. of Florida). UF also has options that require no pre-reqs but the MBA takes longer as the core is incorporated.

I don't believe WG's has prereqs....

Chadron State lets you test out through perigrin services then just remediate any subjects you fail.

There are definantly a lot of options. I still think Eastern New Mexico has the best low cost part time program...but they are pretty strict on your pre-recs.

So short answer is both yes and no......cause it depends entirely on where you go for the MBA. I would suggest the local school (to you) with the winningest football/basketball team possible. A big part of a great MBA program is who it introduces you to and which doors it opens.

[jt003806]

From what I understand, you can have a Bachelors in anything you want. However, many MBAs require that you have taken prerequisite courses in the business field. So, for example, I'm getting a bachelors in business management; therefore, I would not have to take any prereqs b/c I've already taken them in my bachelors degree. If you have a bachelors in education or criminal justice, etc, you will most likely have to take the prereqs for the MBA. Each school will tell you specific prereq courses though so check with them first.

This is not always true; As Rebel 100 pointed out, each school has their own pre-reqs; possessing an undergraduate degree in Business often will help, however some schools require specific courses that may, or may not have been part of your undergrad studies.

[bricabrac]

A big part of a great MBA program is who it introduces you to and which doors it opens.

Well said, totally agree with this statement.

[throwitup37]

I know that is not always true, which is why I said "many MBAs require..." not "all MBAs require..."

[IrishJohn]

Don’t actually stop an exilerating fresh work to visit get a MBA amount. Complete stop any uninteresting work or perhaps 1 you’ve acquired a great deal you’re definitely not studying any more. Complete use a MBA effort being a catalyst to switch areas, everything you’re dwelling, your small business pursuits. Don’t do it when periods are usually great.

Ok, maybe it's just me and the early hour but, what on earth are you trying to say???

[clep3705]

What a waste of time: Actually, 40 Years Of Data Show The MBA Effectively Does Nothing -- It Has No Impact - Business Insider

In the 1950s, 6,000 people per year got an MBA. Obviously, Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton made up a signifcant percentage of that 6,000. Then as now, people at Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton got interviews for positions that graduates of the University of Phoenix or Keller (DeVry) will never, ever get.

I have an MBA. I can cricitize the degree. There is one noteworthy exception that does justify getting an MBA. If an MBA is obtained on the way to getting a doctorate, then by all means do it. You can get a great job teaching MBA students. With so many people getting MBAs, there is a need for faculty to teach them. Pay for business school professors at prestigious or large brick and mortar schools is pretty good.

[Publius]

If an MBA is obtained on the way to getting a doctorate, then by all means do it. You can get a great job teaching MBA students. With so many people getting MBAs, there is a need for faculty to teach them.

hilarious Nice.

It reminds me of someone who said something similar. "Learning Advanced English/Grammar is useless except for those who teach it to the next round of teachers." BTW, I'm sure that could be said for many fields, I also don't mean to pick on you English Majors or anything.

[scorched]

Most MBA's accept just about any bachelors'. A good friend of mine had a BS EE, and he went to a B&M MBA with no issues.
Have another friend that started with Criminal Justice, and got one as well. The MBA part will simply allow you to change career fields without much hassle.

And I think clep3705 is spot on. I am just some guy with no degree, who worked my way through all positions in IT but have taken a few key business courses, but now I get to be some "high level" consultant to many fortune 1000 companies.
I can definitely say as far as IT goes, that an MBA gets you in the CIO office, but unfortunately without the IT background is a complete waste. And I see it every single day, where the MBA rely on someone like me to fix the big issues. So for gmagerr, get the IT degree then go for the MBA, you just might go a long way. I would make sure you study enterprise architecture or service oriented architectures and how that associates to building the "Cloud". Unfortunately we can't escape that stupid word, but it here to stay for a while, and is nothing more than service aligned technology. Also if your looking to stay in IT, its not cheap but several B&M schools now have online Masters in Enterprise Architecture. Penn State, Kent State, and a few others..