MA IO Psychology vs MBA

[Pats20]

Just as the title says. Which one do you all think would have the highest ROI. I understand it’s all subjective to a persons career goals/ interests. But with all else being equal Which one would have the greatest potential for a career lift or change in the business / corporate world. Which would have the best hedge against ageism?  The MBA would not be from a top 25 program, more like an LSUS for example. The same for the Psyc degree. Both would be online programs. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[Heartstrings]

MBA's are a dime a dozen, with that being said, I do think the MBA has a higher ROI than the I-O Psych degree. If you specifically want to work as an I-O Psych you have to go through with the doctorate degree and find and internship, etc. If I were you, I would do a job search for where you live to see how many I-O psych jobs and internships are in your area. Unless you live in a large city there probably is not many. I feel like the MBA can open up a door for you where you can work in many different areas, finance, accounting, human resources, non-profit, etc. It all depends on your goals. You could probably do human resources with I-O psych degree too.

[bjcheung77]

Basically, Decide on your career and educational goals. It also depends on what your undergrad studies was in. If you have the requirements for entry into either Masters or not. Some have specific prerequisites before you can get into their program. It doesn't really need to be a ladder from undergrad to graduate, such as BBA to MBA, many get into MBA with a non business degree if they have some certs, experience, prerequisite classes, etc. The same goes for MS Psych, you don't need a BS Psych to get in, as long as you've got the prerequisites, you'll be a candidate.

[Pats20]

Thanks for the advice.

[bjcheung77]

For me, if I don't have tuition assistance or reimbursement for taking classes, I'll probably go for both! Even if it means the cheapest of them all, such as the HAU MBA $3K and the Walden MS I/O Psych (if you finish in a session or two). If I have the energy, money, time and also the tuition assistance, I'll go for a more expensive option obviously, but would still go for both as they reimburse yearly, I can finish two degrees every two years...

[Pats20]

I was thinking that both are business degrees per say. Im not looking to become a CEO. My goal is a nice work life balance for the remainder of my career. I don’t need to make a lot of money.

[Heartstrings]

I guess there are some careers that are more stressful than others but I think it really boils down to your employer. I have worked in counseling and human services and I have had some highly stressful jobs. My last employer was the best with pay and benefits, the choice to come into the office or work from home, I got to set my own schedule as long as I clocked in 40 hours per week. I worked really hard because this was a great job and I stayed there the longest. A job can be easy but if your employer is not good then it really doesn't matter.

[Pats20]

I guess there are some careers that are more stressful than others but I think it really boils down to your employer. I have worked in counseling and human services and I have had some highly stressful jobs. My last employer was the best with pay and benefits, the choice to come into the office or work from home, I got to set my own schedule as long as I clocked in 40 hours per week. I worked really hard because this was a great job and I stayed there the longest. A job can be easy but if your employer is not good then it really doesn't matter.

You are exactly right. I couldn’t have said it better myself.