M.B.A., M.S., or M.A.?

Question

I am graduating in May 09 with a B.S. in Religion. I currently work in banking as a head teller, and my regional manager and branch manager are already working with me to become an assistant branch manager before I even graduate because of my hard work. I am 22, and only want to earn one masters degree right now, so I am deciding between an MBA in Leadership (45 credit hours), an MS in Management (30 cr. hrs.) or an MA in Human Services with an Organizational Development (30 cr. hrs.) concentration.

My undergrad is from Liberty University, an I will pursue one of these masters degrees there. My question is for those who are experienced in banking or with one of these masters degrees - which one would be best for my career? I've been told MS/MA's are better than MBA's now... but I'm not sure.

Any advice would help, as I'm the first in my family to go to college and have no one to talk to about this!

Answer 1

If your goal is management I would go with the MS in Management since that is the most applicable to that career direction.  The fact that it is 30 hours is a bonus because you'll be able to get the degree (and hopefully a raise or promotion at work) that much faster.

Answer 2

You DO have people to talk to - the academic counselors and the professors at your school. Also your boss at the bank.

Ask the boss his opinion on the best degree for moving up in the banking world.

Talk to the counselors and see what they think. Business professors can give good advice.

But also, think hard about what you really want careerwise. Is banking it? Your choice should help you towards your long-term career goal.

Answer 3

For an MBA, you should really work FT for a few more years before you do the program.  I would want to know the MS in Management courses--what do they include?  Is it an MBA without some of the courses?  I agree, if you want to go right into the graduate program, do the MS or MA.  HR is a field in demand, but might not help you move up as far as an MS in management.