M.S. vs MBA

College Majors Business Majors
1

<p>Im currently an undergrad finance major at Texas A&M. My school has an M.S. program in marketing that’s 38 hours and that accepts students with no work experience (Its competitive though, only 35 spots per year): [Mays</a> Business School :: Master of Science in Marketing](<a href=“http://mays.tamu.edu/depts/mktg/MS/Mktg_MS.html]Mays”>http://mays.tamu.edu/depts/mktg/MS/Mktg_MS.html)</p>

<p>MBAs by contrast take 48 hours and the good schools expect quality work experience. The site claims that the average salary for 2005 graduates was $55k, and for 2006 grads was $62k ([Mays</a> Business School :: MS/MKTG FAQ](<a href=“http://mays.tamu.edu/depts/mktg/MS/Mktg_FAQs_MS.htm]Mays”>http://mays.tamu.edu/depts/mktg/MS/Mktg_FAQs_MS.htm))</p>

<p>Assuming I score high enough on the GMAT, should I do this program instead of getting an MBA? Im definitely interested in marketing, but I want to get the best value, and im not sure how MSs are treated.</p>

2

<p>In the MBA program you have foundation courses ( same as your undergrad business core courses).</p>

<p>You also have to do additional MBA core courses ( business majors say a lot of the study is repetative)</p>

<p>Then you do your concentration (so if marketing then marketing)</p>

<p>The MS program only requires 4 business classes and then it is all marketing.</p>

<p>This major is better for the study of marketing but the general business side is lacking.</p>

<p>A MBA with a marketing concentration will be better overall I believe and most employeers know about MBA but I do not know how they will feel about MS in marketing.</p>

3

<p>There is no good comparison to be made between the two programs. MBAs at Texas A&M start at $87,000 a year and the program only lasts 1.5 years (most MBA programs last 2 years).</p>

<p>Without post-graduate work experience, it is unlikely that you can get into A&Ms MBA program, so that probably isn’t an option. Your options are either go into the work place upon graduation or get your MS in marketing. Obviously, it is more likely that you will want to get an MBA if you go right into the work place. However, getting an MS in marketing will not necessarily preclude you from going back for an MBA.</p>

4

<p>I suggest you take a break from school and get the experience you need for the MBA and then do the MBA. Two years is not that long if you can get the job fast enough. A good thing is you will not have to do the foundation courses since you are a business major undergrad for the MBA so that will save you time.</p>