MAOL, MS/MBA Degree Question

[Pats20]

Hmm, life is full of learning opportunities and since you're wanting to go into business down the road, why be torn between two programs? If you're looking at both of these, do one after the other... MAOL first (assuming you only need the 9 courses because you did the overlapping 3 courses available for the BAS/BLS) and then the MBA with Marketing concentration.  Two sessions at UMPI would be $4300 (if you missed the 3 courses, it's still possible to get it done in time).  One session at WGU is $4955.  Both combined would be 1 year and under $9K for the two...

Do you think it's possible to finish a Master's Degree in one term at WGU? Doing the MAOL and a MS at WGU does sound like a viable option.

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I finished my degree at UMPI - BLS, double minor management and political science.

I'm looking for next step recommendations on what to do about my graduate degree. Is staying at UMPI for the MAOL worthwhile? For reference, I work in marketing as Digital Strategist, I'm far along in my career but would like to achieve a higher role and also plan to start my own agency. I'm torn between an MBA w/marketing concentration, MAOL, or something like ASU's MS in Digital Strategy. 

I was able to easily complete 10 classes at UMPI with plenty of time left and I feel like I have a good groove and understanding of navigating UMPI but I don't want to get the MAOL if it's not going to open the doors I want it to. 

I'm just curious to hear where other people went, or what they did for their graduate degree. Was UMPI enough to get you into a more exclusive school? 

I'm open to any and all suggestions, as I've looked at multiple schools already but am just undecided at the moment. 

TIA.

UMPI is regionally accredited but it's not going to turn heads at competitive or exclusive MBA schools. Hopefully, its reputation in the future won't slide as more students try to enroll. This forum is often biased but folks getting a BA in a couple of months might raise some eyebrows with admissions folks as they review transcripts. Sounds like you have a solid career already which helps.

That being said I don't think you will have any issues getting into an average MBA program. There aren't a ton of CBE grad programs though. and solid "exclusive" programs are pricey.  Personally, I don't see the purpose of a MAOL aside from govt but that's just me.

I think I would be able to mitigate that talking point with admissions bc I already had a full college degree basically before starting at UMPI. I was only a couple credits shy but needed to take 10 classes to meet their grad requirements. Is MAOL not really that applicable to obtain higher level business positions? I see a lot of mixed reviews about MAOL degrees so I'm torn.

Go for the mba. I wouldn’t do the MA for soft or broad skills. Get an MA or MS for specific hard skills in a tech or bus environment