Which master's based on these two choices (Poll)?

[allvia]

I will be graduating with a master's degree from Amberton this fall (Nov'22).  I had planned on graduating with a MA in Professional Development (which I am fine with, I just need a/any master's degree) but I have just realized that by changing one planned course I would be able to graduate with their MS in in Human Relations and Business instead.  Looking for opinion/feedback on which degree I should opt for - there is no cost or time difference.

[rachel83az]

Personally, I think the MS in Human Relations & Business would look better on a resume. You might not need it right now, but it could be helpful for the future.

[suzycupcake]

I agree with Rachel and it’s an MS, not an MA so that might open more doors for you too depending on where you want to go (if anywhere).

[Vle045]

I don’t really understand what either of these degrees are for careerwise. Based solely on the name of the degree, the second one seems more focused

[jsd]

I think the MS HR&B has more marketability like Rachel said, and I also think that it's worth it for not having to explain to everyone who you talk to about it what a "Master of Arts in Professional Development" is.

[carrythenothing]

I think it's also worth considering that you naturally took classes counting toward the MS in Human Relations and Business, which suggests you have a more focused/specific interest than the MA in Professional Development degree.

[bjcheung77]

MAPD is a bit generic in nature and sounds that way too. MSHR&B sounds better, looks better on paper and it shows you have taken specific requirements for the degree program. If I was deciding on either, I would chose MSHR over MAPD.

Here are the requirements for both degrees, judging by the degree contents, for the MAPD, you can mix/match many of the requirement areas. For the MSHR, you have specific requirements for each area. Are you transferring VESI courses into the degree?

I wonder if you can mix/match the MSHR to have the exact courses you would for the MAPD, and ask to have both awarded without doing any extra work, by transferring more ASU Freebie 15 grad credits into the program... So that's 15 extra credits as the "difference" in credits.

Master of Arts in Professional Development
I. Required Graduate Studies: 6 Hours
RGS6035 Theory & Application of Research Methods 3 hours
RGS6036 Ethics for Decision Making 3 hours

II. Major Requirements (5000/6000 Levels) 30 Hours
Thirty (30) semester hours of graduate courses selected by the student from one or more of the following areas:
Business Administration (ACC, BUS, ECO, FIN, MGT, MKT)

Communication
Counseling
Human Behavior and Development
Human Resources and Training
Psychology
Religion/Ethics
Sociology
Totals: 36 Hours

Master of Science in Human Relations and Business
I. Required Graduate Studies 6 Hours
RGS6035 Theory & Application of Research Methods 3 hours
RGS6036 Ethics for Decision Making 3 hours

II. Major Course Requirements (5000/6000 Levels) 30 Hours
A. Business Administration Courses
(Selected from courses with the following prefixes: ACC, BUS, ECO, FIN, MGT, MKT) 9 Hours
B. Communication Courses 6 Hours
C. Counseling, Human Behavior and Development, Human Resources and Training, Psychology Courses 9 Hours
D. Electives (5000/6000 Levels) 6 Hours
Totals: 36 Hours

[allvia]

I think it's also worth considering that you naturally took classes counting toward the MS in Human Relations and Business, which suggests you have a more focused/specific interest than the MA in Professional Development degree.

This is a very good point, very insightful   - I did have the option of taking 'any courses' and I did end up at the MS naturally (well, one course swap difference)

---

MAPD is a bit generic in nature and sounds that way too.  MSHR&B sounds better, looks better on paper and it shows you have taken specific requirements for the degree program.  If I was deciding on either, I would chose MSHR over MAPD.

Here are the requirements for both degrees, judging by the degree contents, for the MAPD, you can mix/match many of the requirement areas.  For the MSHR, you have specific requirements for each area.  Are you transferring VESI courses into the degree?

I wonder if you can mix/match the MSHR to have the exact courses you would for the MAPD, and ask to have both awarded without doing any extra work, by transferring more ASU Freebie 15 grad credits into the program... So that's 15 extra credits as the "difference" in credits.

I am not, and will not be, transferring in VESI courses; as I have already transferred in the 12 credits max from other schools. My goal is to get a single master's degree, and be done with formal education (although there are bets within my friends and family circle that there is a doctorate in my future). It is simply by luck (or personal interest as carrythenothing suggested) that I ended up with a one course decision away from the MS vs the MA I had planned on. I will graduate with 'a master's degree' this November either way.  But to answer your question - since the MA Professional Development does allow you to take any course(s), aside from the two required (same for all their degrees), technically all of their degree plans could be turned into an MAPD - but I doubt you'd talk any MBA or counseling student into making the switch    And No, you cannot graduate with the two degrees at the same time with the same courses, a second master's must have 18 or 24 new/different credit hours (depending on 2nd degree)

[Courcelles]

I don’t think MS versus MA has any different meaning in general, but in this case the MS has a major that sounds defined, even though the requirements don’t actually look all that focused. “Professional Development” sounds like what it is, a masters you can throw most anything at and it’ll stick.

I’d take the MS without a second thought.

[Sagan]

The answer depends on an individual's needs. One is not inherently better than the other.