MBA or MSOM

[rebel100]

Still searching for the right Masters, I might have it narrowed to Chadron State U in Nebraska. They offer both an MBA and a Masters of Organizational Management.

MBA Master of Business Administration - Graduate Studies - Chadron State College

MSOM Master of Science in Organizational Management - Graduate Studies - Chadron State College

I think either would be suitable for me. I really want the Masters to enhance my employability and because my employer will pay for a large portion of this. Both programs are 36 hours, or 12 classes. Cost is essentially the same.

The MBA is taught in 8 week format with a rotation that appears to allow me to finish up in 2 years. There are two cons. First, Chadron requires you to pass a course centered around the business core essentials. If you fail the test, you have 1 semester to pass a 12 unit course proving basic knowledge. The test and the course are really unknowns as I have not heard back from Chadron. Here is a link to the test/course Peregrine Academic Services: About Peregrine Academic Services™, LLC . Second con is that I often think that I would like to teach at the CC level some day. I'm not sure how the MBA translates into that environment. Especially if I taught Emergency management (don't really want to pursue EM graduate studies though as I feel it's to restricting). Can one eventually go on to a doctoral level with an MBA? I understand the MBA to essentially be a "terminal" degree.

The MSOM program seems to be one that I could begin anytime, no pre-reqs. It's still management, it might even be a nice balance between Emergency Management and business. In other words in might be easier to argue that it's applicable to a wider audience. There are Doctoral degrees in Organizational Leadership/Management. I really do enjoy these sort of classes better but both degrees have a good deal of crossover. The biggest con is that it's not as recognizable as an MBA, and the format is not as friendly as the 8 week format of the Chadron MBA.

What do you guys think?

I'm not married to either, nor to Chadron. If you have a better idea I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Reb

[burbuja0512]

That is a GREAT question and I would think that either degree could be helpful. MBAs are pretty common so the MSOM might set you apart and like you said may be more useful for emergency management.

I would take a close look at the curriculum and see which topic interests you more and which classes would be more useful. In my MBA program right now I really am learning a lot of stuff that is very helpful for my career. I've already had the chance to utilize what I've learned, even though I'm only five weeks into it.

Rebel, I totally forgot what your undergrad will be. (So sorry!!) Are you doing business? That would play a factor in my decision too... with an undergrad in business, you would be able to show that you have the business savvy needed for corporate work, if that's what you ever wanted to do. If you're not going to be in the biz world, it may not matter.

[rebel100]

Bachelors is technically BSLS with concentration in Organizational Leadership/Health Care. Like you I think maybe the MBA would be the best because it would show that proficiency in Business. I dunno.

The MSOM is more interesting....but really there is enough shared classes to hold my attention either way.

Just want to keep it relevant , but demonstrate a wide capacity.

[burbuja0512]

Bachelors is technically BSLS with concentration in Organizational Leadership/Health Care. Like you I think maybe the MBA would be the best because it would show that proficiency in Business. I dunno.

The MSOM is more interesting....but really there is enough shared classes to hold my attention either way.

Just want to keep it relevant , but demonstrate a wide capacity.

Hmmmm... on one hand, I like the MSOM because its seems a little different than an MBA, which are relatively common, but I do like being able to show that you've got business sense.

If you had asked this same questions 6 months ago, I wouldn't have seen a difference, but after going through all of the undergrad biz topics and now starting at the grad level, I might give preference to hiring a candidate with a biz degree just because I would know that at least, in theory, they would have a basis for making some of the financial decisions that impact an organization.

Here's an example: Let's say you're in a business that's considering a new pricing and marketing plan. Sales have been sagging and your competitor has taken quite a few of your clients this year and you would like to turn the situation around so you can make this year's numbers. What do you do if you have an MBA or even a biz undergrad? Well... even if you don't have any experience, you can look at some of the strategies that you learned in biz school and come up with something reasonable.

Business is quite a bit of common sense, so there is a good chance that a non-biz major could come up with something better, but it would depend on the person. At least with the MBA, you would hypothetically be able to solve that problem.

The MSOM sounds more to me like how you would help organize the company to increase the chances of success, though I have never looked into the degree so I don't really know what it's all about. The good thing about the MBA is that most people have a pretty good idea of what you've studied. The bad thing is MBA's are a dime a dozen. The good thing about the MSOM is that it's more unique, but no one really knows what skills you have. (or maybe I'm wrong and this is more common than I think.. I definitely haven't seen any MSOM's in sales/marketing)

If you are going to stay in the healthcare world, an MBA would be very valuable for administration positions. There aren't as many MBA's in the hospital world as I see in the biz world. However, if you aren't ever going to be dealing with financial decisions, the MBA would be much less valuable than the MSOM.


Ha ha ha... that was a total ramble. During the time I've been writing this post, I've called three different clients and answered multiple emails so if it sounds disjointed, that's why!

Let me know what you choose!

[ryoder]

I would choose the one that you have the best chance of enjoying and completing. I know that doesn't help much but I was considering many different MBA degrees or even MS degrees and when I found NCU I realized it was the only one I was guaranteed to complete. This is because of the self paced format that I am so addicted to.
I would like to slow down and take some B&M courses, maybe a graduate certificate at USF here in Tampa prior to enrolling back into a PhD at NCU. I also want to have the ability to teach a few courses at the CC.

My plan could be:
BSBA CIS TEsc
MBA Comp Sci NCU
MSEM Grad Certificate at USF
PhD Business Admin, Engineering and Technology Mgmt at NCU

I might even consider Nova Southeastern or Library Information Systems Specialist Degree at FSU. Who knows. It all sounds like fun

[marianne202]

Rebel, how about an MPA? That would tie together really well with your background. I'm in Bellevue's MHA and they have several grad programs that could work for you. They are accelerated programs and most are 6-8 wk courses. I have been fairly happy with Bellevue and wouldn't think twice about recommending them. Their programs are online and well constructed. Here is the list. Good luck with your decision, I searched for many months to find my program, so I know it can be daunting and exciting!
MAJOR / MINOR
DEGREE
ACCELERATED
ONLINE
SOC
Master of Arts in Human Services
MA

Online

Master of Arts in Leadership
MA

Online

Master of Arts in Managerial Communication
MA

Online

Master of Business Administration
MBA

Online

Master of Healthcare Administration
MHA

Online

Master of Project Management
MPM

Online

Master of Public Administration
MPA

Online

Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management
MS

Online

Master of Science in Clinical Counseling
MS

Online

Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
MS

Online

Master of Science in Cybersecurity
MS

Online

Master of Science in Finance
MS

Online

Master of Science in Instructional Design and Development
MS

Online

Master of Science in International Security and Intelligence Studies
MS

Online

Master of Science in Justice Administration and Crime Management
MS

Online

Master of Science in Management
MS

Online

Master of Science in Management of Information Systems
MS

Online

Master of Science in Organizational Performance
MS

Online

Master of Science in Security Management
MS

Online

Ph.D. in Human Capital Management
PHD

Online

[dcan]

FYI when my wife and I signed up for our local CERT team we were told a lot of the "real" work revolves around learning and understanding the National Incident Management System, National Response Framework, National Response Plan, Incident Command System, etc. You have to understand the structure, know where you fit in from moment to moment, and be able to navigate the structure and "flow" through the process.

Looking at it from a military perspective, with similar organizational structures and situations, it seems to me that an MSOL would be a natural fit for leadership of an organization structure like that. In fact I believe I've seen quite a few chief's and officers with MSOL skins on their walls.

I'm not telling you what to do, just offering a different, albeit related perspective. EM is not business, it's more like the military, where (organizational) leadership is key.

(That said, I really like the idea of an MBA myself, go figure)

So I guess it really comes down to which way you want to focus your efforts. It sounds like your heart is really more on the OL/EM side. I think you should ask yourself "In what scenario would an MBA be better for my life goals than an MSOL (or whatever else)?" See where that takes you.

Hope this helps.

[rebel100]

Thanks for all the replies, most of my favorite advisers have chimed in . I think I will proceed with the MBA application. If it turns into something difficult in regards to the pre-reqs then I will see about switching. I think either degree can be explained to my advantage. Both demonstrate a certain level of capacity and knowledge that should serve to set me apart from others.

Ryoder, I'm about equal on these as far as interest. If I was really choosing on interest alone I would likely select an Emergency Management degree but I feel they are a bit limiting in regards to job potential. So it's either or for me.

Marrianne, that's a great selection, the cost is just to high for me. All said and done either Chadron degree wil be <10k, that's huge for me! Daughter #1 graduates next May and her bachelors will become my priority. By going with Chadron my out of pocket is negligible.

D-Can, Fortunately I have an extensive Civil Service background, the ICS framework is very familiar and I have a stack of FEMA and CDP certs to demonstrate it. The MBA just feels right, if I can pull it off.

Bubbles, Nothing you write ever comes off as rambling, we are typically on the same page....thanks for everything....as always

If anyone knows about the Peregrine test from my initial post I would love to hear it.

[nflight]

Bachelors is technically BSLS with concentration in Organizational Leadership/Health Care. Like you I think maybe the MBA would be the best because it would show that proficiency in Business. I dunno.

The MSOM is more interesting....but really there is enough shared classes to hold my attention either way.

Just want to keep it relevant , but demonstrate a wide capacity.

How about the Harvard Masters of Management? If you take 3 courses through their Extension school, which you can do online, and you pass with a B or better (which I'm certain you will, given your track), you can automatically petition for admission to the conventional graduate program.

The program requires you to complete 2 courses in residence, which can be completed in a summer school session and then the remaining courses can be completed online.

The extension courses are $1000. each, but essentially for $3000 you would gain entry to enjoy all the privileges, benefits and perks or a Harvard degree.

Removing the barriers to entry is typically the biggest hurdle.

[rebel100]

How about the Harvard Masters of Management? If you take 3 courses through their Extension school, which you can do online, and you pass with a B or better (which I'm certain you will, given your track), you can automatically petition for admission to the conventional graduate program.

The program requires you to complete 2 courses in residence, which can be completed in a summer school session and then the remaining courses can be completed online.

The extension courses are $1000. each, but essentially for $3000 you would gain entry to enjoy all the privileges, benefits and perks or a Harvard degree.

Removing the barriers to entry is typically the biggest hurdle.

Actually the Masters programs at HES require 6 courses (half the total) to be in residence. Masters courses are also 1950 or so for three credits....I looked pretty hard at the Harvard option ! thanks though. If I were 10 years younger or had a way to pull off the residency I might do it.