Master of Science in Leadership OR Master of Arts in Liberal Arts

[futuremrsmlb]

Hello everyone,

My Capstone course begins 2/3 and I am already looking at graduate studies.
I am currently working in management with an organization that I enjoy working for. My pursuit of higher learning is somewhat motivated by my personal and professional goals. I was wondering what your opinion may be on obtaining a MS in Leadership versus a MA in Liberal Arts. I plan to complete my graduate degree at local state university via distance learning. However, I am finding that the only programs offered in that category is MBA or MA in Liberal Arts.
My undergrad is a B.S. in Professional Studies which is similar to a liberal arts degree. However, in my opinion it is much more flexible.

Since this is the case I am leaning towards a more career focused graduate degree and I think a Master of Science in Leadership would be best suited for me.
Can you please provide insight on this MS in Leadership vs MA in Liberal Arts debate?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[sanantone]

Is there a third option? milelol: Get an MA in Liberal Arts if you plan on adjunct teaching in the future and getting 18 credit hours in one subject area. Get the MS in Leadership if you want to further develop your leadership skills...I guess. I took a look at Kaplan's MS in Management with a specialization in Leadership because you have it in your signature. First of all, Kaplan won't look nearly as good as UNC which is also in your signature. Like most management programs, Kaplan's program looks like an MBA-lite. The leadership specialization courses just pile on top of the useless leadership courses you have to take for the management core. The health care management, human resources, and information technology specializations are more valuable, in my opinion.

[videogamesrock]

I have found leadership courses to be painfully boring. If you like those types of courses by all means go for leadership.

[futuremrsmlb]

Is there a third option? milelol: Get an MA in Liberal Arts if you plan on adjunct teaching in the future and getting 18 credit hours in one subject area. Get the MS in Leadership if you want to further develop your leadership skills...I guess. I took a look at Kaplan's MS in Management with a specialization in Leadership because you have it in your signature. First of all, Kaplan won't look nearly as good as UNC which is also in your signature. Like most management programs, Kaplan's program looks like an MBA-lite. The leadership specialization courses just pile on top of the useless leadership courses you have to take for the management core. The health care management, human resources, and information technology specializations are more valuable, in my opinion.

Lol! Thank you for your reply.
Your response is actually why I am leaning towards UNC. It's just that I don't know if it's worth it to pursue a liberal arts degree in grad school. The liberal arts program is the only one of few grad programs offered that doesn't require the GMAT. I guess I will keep exploring.

[futuremrsmlb]

I have found leadership courses to be painfully boring. If you like those types of courses by all means go for leadership.

I'm with you! I'm not too thrilled with them.

[rebel100]

Unless it's purely for fun or the long shot prospect of adjuncting I would skip the MA. Just to damn much work for so little return.

I'd prefer a plain Jane MBA from a decent school over the Leadership degree. For one thing, to me, the 30 thousand foot survey of business is a whole lot more fun than 2 years of studying Victor Vroom and trying to figure out how to motivate teams.... Ugh just thinking about graduate studies in leadership makes my head hurt. I also suspect that while our would check the Masters box, a degree in leadership will have to be explained too much.... Just my $.02, you asked for it.

[dmjacobsen]

I agree 100% with rebel. The LibArts MA isn't going to be very helpful for business-related job prospects. But, if you're just doing it for the experience, and not looking for a return on your investment, by all means go for it.

I've also never understood the value of a Master's degree in Leadership. Of course, I understand the value of studying leadership to develop your own leadership style, but I don't see the value in spending hundreds upon hundreds of hours studying various theories on leadership.

Although the MBA is very common, it's still a check-the-box requirement for management positions at a lot of places, so it will at least get you past the automated candidate filter. The LibArts MA or the MS Leadership may land your resume squarely in the circular file.

[SweetSecret]

The liberal arts program is the only one of few grad programs offered that doesn't require the GMAT. I guess I will keep exploring.

Its not cheap, but this is a grad program I have been interested in that doesn't require a GMAT:

https://www.marshall.usc.edu/msse

[futuremrsmlb]

Thanks for the info.
I one of the lucky ones as my employer will foot the bill 100% so cost is not a primary concern.

[SweetSecret]

Thanks for the info.
I one of the lucky ones as my employer will foot the bill 100% so cost is not a primary concern.

I'm totally jealous! I need to start looking for real work again soon, & would love to find an employer that offers that as a perk. Right now I'm working from home just doing design stuff since moving to a new state. I am going to finish my BA soon, & then will need to decide on if I should go straight to a grad program (maybe out of state on a scholarship) or just try to find work locally. I'm also seriously starting to debate volunteering overseas for a year or two if my disability filing goes through.