MPA vs MBA

tjb122982

I'm finishing up my second semester in my CINT AAS program and I'm doing pretty well. However, I decided to think about down the road a little bit; specifically, 4-5 years down the road. Hopefully by that time I will have completed either a bachelors in IT or IS and beginning to look for a management position. From what I have heard, a management graduate degree would be great aid. I know that a lot of people would recommend a MBA without blinking but I am not corporate oriented; I don't want to offend anyone but I'm not going to lose any sleep over stock holders getting a few extra cents on their dividends. I would say I'm much more oriented towards the higher education and not for profit environments, maybe government. With that being said, of course, the MPA is the obvious choice but I have concerns about the MPA not being as respected (ie the "MPA's are for people who could not get into business school") and constantly being overshadowed by MBA's. Does anyone have any experiences or thoughts they can offer?

Polynomial

MBA. Zero doubts. I aspire to get into a program myself.

Applicable to any job, including those within your target.

tjb122982

Polynomial wrote: »

MBA. Zero doubts. I aspire to get into a program myself.

Applicable to any job, including those within your target.

Do a lot MBA programs have a public or not for profit management track?

stryder144

tjb122982 wrote: »

Do a lot MBA programs have a public or not for profit management track?

You could also consider a graduate certificate. For instance, Texas A&M has a certificate in Nonprofit Management. After you get the certificate, you could apply to the school of your choice and they might (emphasis on might) transfer some or all of the credits.

Doyen

Since you are interested in the IT and IS track for you undergrad, I would recommend an MBA. Putting the viewpoints of MPA aside, there are really not too many specializations in MPA tracks that can relate to IT or IS. I have seen many MBA concentrations with IT or IS focus. WGU offers a MBA in Technology Management and NCU offers a MBA in computer and information security. I intend to go the NCU MBA track due to the concentration in security and it is ACBSP accredited, which is a demand in my area.

The_Expert

I have an MPA, since I worked for State government for over 15 years. My employer paid for it and I got to attend classes during work hours.

As for the benefits - if you plan on working in any type of government agency, the MPA requirement is often listed. In the private sector, folks always ask what an MPA is. My wife also has an MPA and has applied for regular corporate type jobs where this question was often asked.

I now work in the civilian world and my MPA hasn't been a hinderance - I guess the main thing that matters is that I have a Masters degree of some sorts.

I don't regret my decision, go for what makes sense to you...

JoJoCal19

My long term goal has always been to move into IT management (security, general IT, CIO, etc) and for the longest time I was under the impression an IT or security oriented masters degree was the ticket and gave me better chances. Then I started doing real research and started finding that the number of people in technology management with an MBA seemed to dwarf the number of people with a technology oriented masters degree. So I will be doing my MBA down the road. I'll be going back to UF.

Devilry

I have been under the impression that MPA was more geared for non-profit or Government jobs, while MBA was my broad.

the_Grinch

I've looked into MPA's (state employee) as there are programs that would relate directly to what I do (regulatory enforcement). Generally speaking the MPA is the MBA of the public sector. It's a world of difference when profit isn't what you are looking to do. In my area the MPA is often listed as a desired or required element (especially for investigators). I will say with the expansion of regulations in so many private sector areas the MPA is actually due for a boost. People trained in reading and interpreting regulations is definitely a hot commodity. MS in Public Policy looks at creating regulations/laws and the Masters of Public Administration looks at implementing and enforcing those laws/regulations.

Rocket Impossible

I work for a large non-profit and we have MBA's all over the organization. We also have a few MPA's. The MBA is like the Swiss army knife of degrees. Just because you went MBA over MPA doesn't mean you will have to work in an environment you are not comfortable with. I think the MBA increases your chances of getting into the kind of environment you want.

GoodBishop

I'm in my last class of a MBA, and I would definitely recommend it over a MPA. It's a very versatile degree.

tjb122982

Doyen wrote: »

Since you are interested in the IT and IS track for you undergrad, I would recommend an MBA. Putting the viewpoints of MPA aside, there are really not too many specializations in MPA tracks that can relate to IT or IS. I have seen many MBA concentrations with IT or IS focus. WGU offers a MBA in Technology Management and NCU offers a MBA in computer and information security. I intend to go the NCU MBA track due to the concentration in security and it is ACBSP accredited, which is a demand in my area.

I know there are a few MPA programs that do offer technology specializations. I know Indiana University-Bloomington, UM-Ann Arbor, and UI-Chicago do.

tjb122982

The_Expert wrote: »

I have an MPA, since I worked for State government for over 15 years. My employer paid for it and I got to attend classes during work hours.

As for the benefits - if you plan on working in any type of government agency, the MPA requirement is often listed. In the private sector, folks always ask what an MPA is. My wife also has an MPA and has applied for regular corporate type jobs where this question was often asked.

I now work in the civilian world and my MPA hasn't been a hinderance - I guess the main thing that matters is that I have a Masters degree of some sorts.

I don't regret my decision, go for what makes sense to you...

If you don't mind me asking, did you wife go to prestigious or well known program for her MPA? The reason I ask is because I'm curious if it matters where you go. For instance, would a MBA from a middling program trump a MPA from a high end program?

Doyen

tjb122982 wrote: »

I know there are a few MPA programs that do offer technology specializations. I know Indiana University-Bloomington, UM-Ann Arbor, and UI-Chicago do.

Indeed. I never said there weren't any, just that there weren't too many specializations in the IT/IS field.

The_Expert

tjb122982 wrote: »

If you don't mind me asking, did you wife go to prestigious or well known program for her MPA? The reason I ask is because I'm curious if it matters where you go. For instance, would a MBA from a middling program trump a MPA from a high end program?

I wouldn't consider my local University to be very prestigious - even though the Administration might think they are. Lol! Nah, my wife and I just attended a regular State University. So, I can't tell you how much that matters...

daviddws

Call me biased, but I would go with the MBA. If you really want the MPA do it as a second masters.

tjb122982

Allow me to be a devil advocate in that if I went for a MPA (or a MBA for that matter) that didn't have a IS track, would it even matter that much? The reason I say that is because we have certifications to expand our IT expertise and go for the graduate degree to learn about management and other management fields? It seems that once you have a job and moving up the ladder, then the actual degree doesn't matter as long as you have a management type degree?

Doyen

tjb122982 wrote: »

Allow me to be a devil advocate in that if I went for a MPA (or a MBA for that matter) that didn't have a IS track, would it even matter that much? The reason I say that is because we have certifications to expand our IT expertise and go for the graduate degree to learn about management and other management fields? It seems that once you have a job and moving up the ladder, then the actual degree doesn't matter as long as you have a management type degree?

You actually have a good point there. Getting either one of those business/management degrees supplemented with the proper IT certifications in the field is another alternative. The certifications can also show that you are current with the technology while still knowing the business side of things. +rep tjb122982 for being a good "devil advocate" and bringing up that point! It just reminds me of my raison d'être certification adage:

"Certifications & degrees show your knowledge and your willingness to learn to those that do not know you."

On a side note, I have been noticing the trend that IT now needs to know about business. Maybe the fundamentals, but definitely how to present yourself properly to a CIO or such on how a certain hardware/technology is "good business" and/or "good ROI" for the cost. Or maybe I'm looking too much into it since I aspire to gain an MBA with a security concentration.

Doyen

You could compare the two, MBA vs. MPA, but lets stir the pot a little further; how about an MBA with a concentration in Public Administration offered by Columbia Southern University. It covers the best of both worlds doesn't? That should be more cost effective than going for two graduate degrees? The school is regionally accredited, but the only problem I see is they lack ACBSP or AACSB business accreditation if that matters to your employer or future teaching opportunities down the road. That is also probably the reason why it is only $265 ($250 for military) per credit hour with 37 credits hours for the degree makes it just under $10,000.

tjb122982

Doyen wrote: »

You actually have a good point there. Getting either one of those business/management degrees supplemented with the proper IT certifications in the field is another alternative. The certifications can also show that you are current with the technology while still knowing the business side of things. +rep tjb122982 for being a good "devil advocate" and bringing up that point! It just reminds me of my raison d'être certification adage:

"Certifications & degrees show your knowledge and your willingness to learn to those that do not know you."

On a side note, I have been noticing the trend that IT now needs to know about business. Maybe the fundamentals, but definitely how to present yourself properly to a CIO or such on how a certain hardware/technology is "good business" and/or "good ROI" for the cost. Or maybe I'm looking too much into it since I aspire to gain an MBA with a security concentration.

I think you have a good point when you wrote about "good business" and "good ROI." I know there is a different between business and not for profit and that of course is profit. However, isn't the basic idea the same: maximize effectiveness and efficiently at the same time; or in other words, seek out the best bang for the buck?

Doyen

I wouldn't necessarily say "the best bang for the buck." Of course it is situational at times, but typically compensating quality for a lower price value is not always the most viable option. I see how having business skills can aid in defending or countering that statement to a CIO or others in management. I have had the opportunity to witness great business presentations affecting how management settles for what you request or possibly granting more than you asked for merely by tweaking the words "may", "risk", and "loss".

Yes, you are correct that maximizing effectiveness and efficiency is another way of coining "good business" and "good ROI". LACERS does explain effectiveness & efficiency quite well on their website.

tjb122982

Doyen wrote: »

I wouldn't necessarily say "the best bang for the buck." Of course it is situational at times, but typically compensating quality for a lower price value is not always the most viable option. I see how having business skills can aid in defending or countering that statement to a CIO or others in management. I have had the opportunity to witness great business presentations affecting how management settles for what you request or possibly granting more than you asked for merely by tweaking the words "may", "risk", and "loss".

Yes, you are correct that maximizing effectiveness and efficiency is another way of coining "good business" and "good ROI". LACERS does explain effectiveness & efficiency quite well on their website.

From reading your thoughts, I gather that "BS" is a skill needed in every field, right?

Doyen

I believe it is considered "half-truth" than "BS". I wouldn't consider it lying if someone doesn't ask the right questions. Than again, we'll just consider it "IT propaganda".

What are your thoughts now on MPA and MBA?