MBA vs MS in Leadership

[Regards]

So, i'm going to a 4 year university and I currently have 2 classes left and I will have my BA in Business Management. I'm really debating on furthering my education after this. If I were to continue I would either go for an MBA or MS in Leadership. I'm unsure of which one I should go for. My university currently offers a MS in leadership for $10k flat. The MBA would end up being like $17k in tuition alone. I could always go somewhere else or for something else, however I am thinking since I am a business major for my undergrad, these would really be my only two viable options. What other master programs could an undergrad in business go for?
Any input would be appreciated.  

Regards,

Regards

[sanantone]

There are a lot of different majors that don't require a particular undergraduate degree. What are you interested in, and why do you want the degree?

[Regards]

There are a lot of different majors that don't require a particular undergraduate degree. What are you interested in, and why do you want the degree?

I feel as though I need a competitive advantage. I want to work in the corporate world, higher up the ladder. I'm just not sure where at and at, and at what level. I've considered focusing on quality management and getting certs in six sigma etc. If i have no current requirement for a masters at my current position, should I just not worry about it? I'd hate to get older and regret it.

[sanantone]

There are a lot of different majors that don't require a particular undergraduate degree. What are you interested in, and why do you want the degree?

I feel as though I need a competitive advantage. I want to work in the corporate world, higher up the ladder. I'm just not sure where at and at, and at what level. I've considered focusing on quality management and getting certs in six sigma etc. If i have no current requirement for a masters at my current position, should I just not worry about it? I'd hate to get older and regret it.

Those who work in the business field will probably have better answers for you. I believe MPAs and MBAs are best for those with experience. Their current positions may not require a master's degree, but they may need one to be competitive for high-level positions.

[videogamesrock]

Many HR people are keyword oriented and some jobs say MBA preferred. The MBA could make you more attractive to recruiters or when applying for a job that prefers an MBA. The Leadership degree is good for current executives, entrepreneurs, or people in government positions. Many government jobs will want a business degree and will say advanced degree preferred which the MBA would satisfy both.

[bjcheung77]

Which university are you planning to graduate from? Since you have two courses from them, I'd think you may want to continue your Masters with them as well... Is it 10K for the MS L? That's not a bad price for an RA degree, how fast can it be done? in 24 months? BTW, how young are you? Got kids/married, do you have commitments? Have some goals to complete?

If you're a young person, under 30 or 40, you can quickly get it done with a competency-based degree program. In fact, if you're "older" and strapped for time, that's the main reason I would tell people to finish a program at WGU for example, to get it done cheap/easy/fast. MBA is geared towards "businesses/corporations" and moving up the chain/ladder into higher paying positions. MS in Leadership can be used in other industries, it can be used for a check the box masters as well. The main difference is the curriculum/utility of the degree...

[dfrecore]

As someone who worked in business, and specifically HR, I would say that the MBA is a much better way to go. I don't think the MS in Leadership is looked on that favorably. It's OK, but not anything to write home about.

[sanantone]

Ransomsoul already knows my opinion on leadership degrees.   In my opinion, leadership programs are nothing but watered-down organizational psychology programs. If you want to study leadership for personal development purposes, then I guess it works out fine as long as studying organizational psychology for 10+ courses doesn't bore you to tears. To me, earning a whole degree in leadership is like earning a degree in ethics. One course in those topics is fine, but a whole degree in them is like trying to force someone who is not a natural leader to be a leader or forcing someone who is naturally an unethical person to be ethical. Some things are just in people's nature and can't be changed.  

If you're looking to reinforce skills and have a degree employers are looking for in large numbers, then the MBA will be better.

[Regards]

Which university are you planning to graduate from? Since you have two courses from them, I'd think you may want to continue your Masters with them as well... Is it 10K for the MS L? That's not a bad price for an RA degree, how fast can it be done? in 24 months?  BTW, how young are you?  Got kids/married, do you have commitments? Have some goals to complete?

If you're a young person, under 30 or 40, you can quickly get it done with a competency-based degree program.  In fact, if you're "older" and strapped for time, that's the main reason I would tell people to finish a program at WGU for example, to get it done cheap/easy/fast.   MBA is geared towards "businesses/corporations" and moving up the chain/ladder into higher paying positions.  MS in Leadership can be used in other industries, it can be used for a check the box masters as well.  The main difference is the curriculum/utility of the degree...

Hello bjcheung77, I am currently 25 years old. The MS L is $10k flat. What industries would the MSL thrive in?

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Ransomsoul already knows my opinion on leadership degrees.   In my opinion, leadership programs are nothing but watered-down organizational psychology programs. If you want to study leadership for personal development purposes, then I guess it works out fine as long as studying organizational psychology for 10+ courses doesn't bore you to tears. To me, earning a whole degree in leadership is like earning a degree in ethics. One course in those topics is fine, but a whole degree in them is like trying to force someone who is not a natural leader to be a leader or forcing someone who is naturally an unethical person to be ethical. Some things are just in people's nature and can't be changed.  

If you're looking to reinforce skills and have a degree employers are looking for in large numbers, then the MBA will be better.

This post is highly making me consider an MBA instead now, but is like $17k in tuition reasonable? My current university charges around $400 per credit hour for graduate degrees. It's 43 credit hours to get the MBA. Im trying to see how I can justify this route since my current employer doesn't really require it nor does my line of work. Will I able to go out seeking higher level jobs after i get my MBA even though Im not in that career field yet? I know a lot of people say like get into the field you want before getting the MBA..

[RANSOMSOUL]

Ransomsoul already knows my opinion on leadership degrees.

Lol Cosign a lot on what has been shared in the comments. I have been fortunate to hire some talented people in my career both while in corporate and now running my own business. Many with advanced degrees in more common areas like Finance, Economics, MBAs and unique areas like Organizational Management, Leadership/Management and Industrial Psychology (this one is catching steam in Medical right now). Since most hiring where an MBA is a focused target (at least in medical), HR personnel is not the key decision makers to filter out a candidate. In this example, most organizations may list a preference for an MBA but the request is an 'advanced degree'. If I am with talent and we have hurdles in the degree portion of our time together, I am pretty comfortable in knowing that this partnership will most likely not work out.

What I liked about WGU's Leadership degree is it covers 5 of the 11 MBA courses. This could suggest that it's not a watered down psychology degree. I am someone who would be down to do another Leadership Degree possibly with Claremont Lincoln University in the future. Perhaps, what I am in search of is an actual Watered Down Masters in Psychology (hmmm you may be on to something Sanantone - PhD in Leadership? I am in a unique position to earn a degree strictly because I can and not because I need one. It's a great place to be in with my selection process. With that being said, if I was mentoring a young person (as I am with my own kids), I would encourage them to take a moment to understand that a 'unique' degree can be seen as less than a more familiar degree. In addition, not all degrees are built for growing young talent. If I had not dealt with contracts, international marketing and lead a sales force while in the corporate space, prior to even having a bachelor degree, I would most likely look at an MBA in a different light.

My Vote in business options would rank as the following:

Be An Entrepreneur - You're Young, Nows The Time!!! (change the world - create a legacy!)

Follow Your Talent In Degree Selection First & Passion In Degree Selection Second (maxing out your talent allows for you to max out your passions over time)

Get A Masters In Finance (great value & strong alternative to MBA)

Get An MBA (you'll make this forum happier & HR will love you!)

Get A Masters in Leadership (only if you secretly really want to be a licensed Psychologist)

Be An Entrepreneur