MBA Alternatives/Substitutes

Question

I would like to call your attention to some MBA "Substitutes" of various degrees of completeness. 

Depending on one's career plans and academic objectives, these programs might act as viable substitutes for the more conventional MBA. Just to be clear, I am not making the normative assertion that these programs are necessarily "better" than an MBA, just an alternative for interested students.

The first program is the MS in Applied Finance and Economics offered by the University of California at Santa Cruz. This is a two year program that appears to position itself as a more "practical" degree than the typical masters of economics. What makes this program especially interesting is that UC undergraduate students at Davis, Berkeley, and UCLA can complete the BA and MS in five years.

kayser1soze · Answer

i guess some schools will also require the GRE instead of GMAT. Or would one be allowed to choose between the different tests. guess depends on schools i checked out some shools offering the MA in Economics and Finance and they allow student to substitute GRE for GMAT. the school in question is Brandeis Uni in MA.

Hjort · Answer

Yes, many of these programs require the GRE instead of the GMAT. However, the scores on these tests are highly correlated and preparation for one test will generally prepare you for the other (alternatively, the constructs tested by these exams are very similar and essentially overlap). 

Hjort

Hjort · Answer

Speaking of Brandeis, Brandeis offers two programs that might be of interest. 

1) The two year MA in International Economics and Finance

2) The MS in Finance that can be completed in one year of FT study

kayser1soze · Answer

thanks for the info hjort,

as far as brandeis goes, i'm really interested in their MAief program , they will take your GMAT instead of GRE, which i think is fair. Also one of their most recognized alumni is the current vice prime minister of Bulgaria, my home country, which i didnt know 'till i visited their website and read the alumni news. hjort do you have some inside info brandeis i would really appreciate it if you share it with the rest of us. thanx :-D

NEWKID · Answer

Any idea how is the Masters in Information Systems and Management at CMU.
(https://www.mism.cmu.edu/).

I have 4 yrs of IT experience. And I have plans of continuing in this field.Is this a course that will fit my need?

kayser1soze · Answer

hey hjort, 

do you have any more info on other schools offering substitute programs similar to the MAief offered by brandeis?

Hjort · Answer

Yes, I can think of a number of schools with broadly similar programs. For instance, you might want to look at UCSB's Master of Arts in Business Economics. This is a one year program that should provide you with a good foundation in applied economics.

https://www.econ.ucsb.edu/graduate/ma.htm#requirements

Hjort

kayser1soze · Answer

i just read an article in businessweek about Boston College about them offering the MS-MBa program  . for all interested -  https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/index.html

kayser1soze · Answer

i've been thinking to do a Macc - master of accounting before i go into MBA but i am not sure. i researched some good programs such as UT @ Austin, TX, Ohio State etc. Anyone else have any other programs in mind, where can i find some ranking for Macc or MS in accounting?? anyone know other good programs??

Anonymous · Answer

I could suggest MS in Economics at Georgia Institute of Technology.

It allows students to complete their areas of concentration by taking some courses in units outside the School of Economics, including the Dupree College of Management
(which is second-tier bus school, just like bus school of Boston)

https://www.econ.gatech.edu/degrees/Master.htm

Andrea_ · Answer

sorry, just forgot ot log in

so- I could suggest MS in Economics at Georgia Institute of Technology. It allows students to complete their areas of concentration by taking some courses in units outside the School of Economics, including the Dupree College of Management (which is second-tier bus school, just like bus school of Boston) https://www.econ.gatech.edu/degrees/Master.htm

Hjort · Answer

Hi,

Georgia Tech is a good school and this looks like a worthwhile addition to our list.

Hjort

Andrea_ · Answer

yeah, I agree with you Hjort.

Andrea_ · Answer

fine,I'll keep posting on more programs.

So, there is University of Georgia with Terry College of Business that offers:

MAcc (Master of Accountancy)
MIT (Master of Internet Technology)
MMR (Master of Marketing Research)

Andrea_ · Answer

Also (but sure it's worse) Kennesaw State University with 
Master of Accounting (MAcc)

Andrea_ · Answer

Also Georgia State University with a lot of Masters - in Marketing, Finance, Information Tech etc

Andrea_ · Answer

Yale offers Master of Arts in International Relations

TeHCM · Answer

How are those programs at Brandeis ranked? 

My cousin went to Brandeis..its a small liberal arts college and not alot of people have heard of this school...

Hjort · Answer

To my knowledge, I have not seen any rankings that included the graduate business degrees for Brandeis. However, the school is better known on the North East than in the other parts of the US.

MBA Alternatives/Substitutes

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