Greetings All,

I am considering an EMBA to advance my career. However, with so many different universities and classifications of MBA, I have grown weary of trying to determine which direction best suits me. I'm hoping that responses in this thread will allow me to see things from a different perspective.

About me, I am 44 with 20+ years of government and technology experience. I have a bachelor's degree in Information Systems, a GPA of around 3.8 from a small private catholic school in the USA. I have no intention of taking the GMAT, I think my work/education history speaks for itself, I realize that might limit me, but I can accept that. I've lead small teams of up to 6-8 employees in small projects, but in general, I've typically played the role of team leader. I don't mind staying in technology, but project management or general management are options too. My goal is to lead larger teams and projects with greater visibility. I've worked in both North and South America, with some time in Asia as well.

I am an American living abroad for several years now, with no intention of returning to the USA anytime soon. Some of the programs I am looking at are in the USA, typically Online, or international EMBA programs that require a couple of visits, and preferably less than 18 months in length.

Let me know what you think.

AF_International

If you want to stay in project management then an MBA would be a waste of time. Much better to do a recognised industry certification like PMP or PRINCE2 which would be far quicker and a small fraction of the cost.

[Edited by aslamo on Dec 10, 2020]

AF, I wonder if you can pose your question more specifically? You probably know than an MBA is a better option for general management than for project management, and that the return is higher from better business schools, and especially those with alumni in the organisations and industries you are targetting. 


PS The 50 or so hours that GMAT prep would take you would produce a huge added return on your investment. The GMAT shows what your experience does not: are you well-positioned to complete a demanding part-time degree? Lots of people with great work experience cannot make the time to prepare for class or do assignments seriously, and the GMAT filters those out very well. 

[Edited by StuartHE on Dec 10, 2020]

Aslamo, 

I appreciate your response, thank you. I have considered the PMP but I do not have anywhere near the amount of documented hours it requires. Additionally, I wouldn't classify myself as a project manager, I occasionally lead or participate in small projects, I guess you could call them modules of a larger project. My goal is not necessarily to become a Project Manager but to lead bigger projects as part of my role. 

StuartHE, 

Thanks for your reply. I just want to clarify, that my goal is not to become a project manager. As I stated:

"I don't mind staying in technology, but project management or general management are options too."

Furthermore, I believe that the ROI for a degree that costs $50-100K doesn't exist for someone that will be 46 when they graduate, hence, it is unnecessary to take the GMAT to enter a Top institution - "reputable" is sufficient. I do think the GMAT is a great tool for younger students competing for slots in the Top-25 MBA programs in the world but not for someone like me. 

To pose my question more specifically, I'll ask it like this:

Given that I am 44, I will not be taking a GMAT, and would like to pursue an MBA as a means to achieve a broader spectrum of work options. Which, MBA, International EMBA program, or US Online Program best suits these criteria and gives me the best options moving forward? (Under $50k) - Explain why you have reached this conclusion. 

Assuming that you work for 20 or 30 more years, you are saying that an MBA won't increase you future salary by more than $2k or $3k per year. If you already earn more than EMBA graduates from the top schools, that might be true. However, if not then you are making a miscalculation and not taking the GMAT will be a choice that will cost you. Most top EMBA graduates gain at least $500k of NPV. Assuming an opportunity cost of of at least $10k per hour for the first 50 hours spent studying for the GMAT, is that really your wisest choice? 

[Edited by Duncan on Dec 12, 2020]

Duncan, I am not saying that an MBA won't increase my future salary. What I am saying is, I I believe at my age the difference between an MBA that costs $50,000 versus one that costs $100,000 is a wash and taking the GMAT isn't going to affect earnings that I am expected to make from an MBA program that cost less than $50k and doesn't have a T-25 ranking. Example: How does taking the GMAT help me at the Univ. of Arizona (Eller) which costs about $50k to attend? I'm already eligbile for a scholarship, I can't double down on scholarships and I'm eligible for a GMAT waiver. How does taking the GMAT improve my salary?

Also, I am not emphasising that I want to get into a Top EMBA program or a U.S. Top-25 in person MBA program. As a matter of fact I am very limited to where I can attend, my age, family situation, and locale will not allow me to do so. Furthermore, for the next 20 years,  I will likely be living in Europe and South American where wages are far less than the USA and "prestige" often isn't considered unless you went to a Top-5 global program. I don't currently earn more than top EMBA earners, and it's likely that I will not, that is not a goal. I am not looking for university prestige or to be the top %1. The GMAT has the ability to set me apart from other candidates when seeking entrance at a Top MBA school, but in the group set of universities I am looking at the GMAT nearly has no weight as it's waived in my case. 

I want to stay on point though. This is not an anti-GMAT post. 

I'm an average joe, family guy hoping to improve my situation.  I will not be taking a GMAT and would like to pursue an MBA as a means to achieve a broader spectrum of work options - that's it. Some of the programs I am looking at are Online MBA's in the USA,  or online international EMBA programs that require a couple of visits, and preferably less than 18 months in length - and that is what I am asking for people to respond to. 

Which, MBA, International EMBA program, or US Online Program best suits these criteria and gives me the best options moving forward? (Under $50k) - Explain why you have reached this conclusion. 

Taking the GMAT helps your salary because, despite your mistaken belief, better MBAs that require the GMAT will lead to higher salaries than worse ones, and the gaps will be wider in Latin America. 

[Edited by Duncan on Dec 13, 2020]