[Excited_CPA]

My friend is looking go to graduate school for CIS, and I told her to definitely go for the MS program. For some reason, I thought that was always the better of the two (compared to MBA).

Then I started searching around and now I’m unsure. Could anybody help me out on this? Is one of them more specialized than the other? Is one of them seen as more prestigious? Is one quicker to finish?

Thanks!

BEC 04/14/12 87
FAR 08/28/12 88
AUD 10/06/12 94
REG 02/09/13 91

[Anonymous]

I would tend to agree with you but it depends on what exact occupation you are pursuing. My husband has a CIS degree, now called ITM (Information Technology Management). His intention was to go on for the technology related master's (can't remember what they called it) but it was discontinued at the university. The only other option was the MBA and he didn't think it was worth it.

He ended up going into development and doing mostly what a CS major does. He does sometimes get teased by his peers for having a business degree rather than a computer science degree. Also, he decided he would gain more by getting work experience. You might suggest your friend find a good internship. A year or two in an internship can be more valuable than an MBA.

MBA's are expensive and time consuming. I got my MSAT in less than half the time it would have taken to get an MBA. That being said there may be some companies where everyone has one and you need it to get up the ladder, MS will likely be more distinctive though.

As a side note, he thought the business degree was not much of an asset until recently. He was asked to take on a new position that straddles both the coding side and product development. They didn't even ask if any of the other developers were interested.

[Excited_CPA]

@bluegirl

thank you for the help! I think my friend's leaning towards the MS now.

BEC 04/14/12 87
FAR 08/28/12 88
AUD 10/06/12 94
REG 02/09/13 91

[Author]

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