Need Input/Advice

[Merlin]

So I currently hold a MBA from an AACSB Accredited program. I am the AVP of a bank and I am an academic coach as well. I have been accepted to the following programs: MS Finance at the University of Missouri and the DBA Grand Canyon University. I know at some point I want to pursue a doctorate. However, I want to pursue it in Finance I think. The issue: I prefer online programs and I prefer AACSB Accreditation. I am leaning towards the MS Finance at Mizzou since they are ranked #69 in the USA in terms of their business school, they are AACSB, it would help in my current career and it would open doors for AACSB PhD or DBA programs in the future. Any other thoughts or advice?

IMO, there is little value in an AACSB DBA since this accreditation is primarily used as an endorsement for teaching business courses at the graduate level.  But to be qualified to teach at most ranked universities, you'll generally need a Ph.D. rather than a DBA. The DBA is considered more of a generalist professional degree, and less of an academic degree. So, if you have any interest in teaching, maybe consider a Ph.D. in Finance or something specific. If you're not interested in teaching, then having the AACSB accreditation is probably just costing you extra money, IMO. However, in theory, you should be getting a more rigorous education as well.

You should think about why you want the degree. If either one will open doors, then go for the one you're more interested in or that you can recoup your investment faster. For example, you should be able to complete an MS more quickly than a Ph.D. So, if they are equal in benefit, the MS may be the better option since you'll recoup your investment sooner.

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Wouldn't it be possible to go straight for the DBA/PHA with your MBA?

Easily. Heck, in many Ph.D. programs, you can go straight from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate, with the option of earning a master's along the way. In fact, earning a non-research based masters can actually be a negative in some situations since the courses may not be applicable to the Ph.D. program, which means you'll end up having to redo some work.

That said, going from an MBA to a DBA is usually a straightforward path since both are considered professional credentials rather than research degrees, so the requirements are a bit different.