Katie Tamarelli ⋅ Newport , KY Strategy& ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi Doug,

I think it depends on what your end goal is. if you are eventually looking at management roles, I would consider the MBA more important, but if you are interested in having more of a content degree, the MS in Ops or Supply Chain may be more valuable.

To me, the MBA tends to be a broader degree with more different areas of content, but does allow some operations or project management specialization. The MS is more specialized and would be best for roles specifically in operations.

Please let me know if I can provide any additional guidance.

Best,
Katie

Nicholas Molley ⋅ Twinsburg , OH IBM ⋅ 35 years experience

Hello Douglas,

I work with numerous business clients as a consultant and can tell you that Six Sigma/Lean is highly valued by the business side of an organization. An individual who has the ability to perform business value assessments for a line of business is a skill for which organizations will pay. I understand your desire to "leverage" your background and go the MS route, however, I think the MBA, by definition, carries the business image.

Good luck and thank you for your service,
Nicholas Molley
IBM Corporation

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Thanks for the update? Have you identified the programs to which you'll apply? I encourage you to begin a new discussion requesting advice specific to the MBA application and selection process.

Douglas Bueoy ⋅ Muskogee , OK U.S. Army National Guard, Chief Warrant Officer ⋅ 32 years served

I thank all that has responded. I have always that the hard right is better than the easy left. I have decided to go for my MBA even though it will take me longer and the courses seem to be more challenging than those listed in the MS course. Again thank you for your advice.

Jason Horner ⋅ Simpsonville , SC IBM ⋅ 23 years experience

Mr. Bueoy,

I would recommend an MBA if you have a choice. In most private firms this is credible and pays at a slightly higher grade that some others. But I see plenty of good advice here in this forum. I have an MBA and PMP and am in a separate pay grade as a result.

Rgds, Jason.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Know that VCTP Syracuse pays for training for the PMP and other certs, and one exam fee.

Edward Haugh ⋅ Westminster , MD Hewlett Packard ⋅ 17 years experience

Hey Doug, you will find they all complement each other and are independent yet related. Formal education provides needed points to qualify to sit for the PMP certification exam. And in addition you will find the PMP draws heavily on formal business training. So if you want a PMP, concentrate on business for your major, production and operations are good. Six Sigma also ties in nicely with a business major. True point that they are independent of each other and you can be a PMP without college, and a Black Belt without college, but you would find it definitely blends in very nicely. And makes you much more marketable. I got my formal school while active duty and after I got out, took the PMP crash course, and then Six Sigma. They are so complementary the formal school really helps with the other two. Oh and one other thing. Depending on what company hires you, they may pay for your PMP and Six Sigma certs. Mine did.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Michael - Also learn about pmi.org and apics.org, and reach out to local chapters. Attend meetings, request a mentor, learn, meet new people (AKA network), volunteer, etc..

The same goes for toastmasters.org, ideally chapters near or within employers in which you are interested.

Douglas Bueoy ⋅ Muskogee , OK U.S. Army National Guard, Chief Warrant Officer ⋅ 32 years served

My goal is to stay in the logistics community. I am looking for mentorship in transitioning to the civilian workforce. Finding a good fit in the civilian supply chain arena.

Michael G McGrath ⋅ Knoxville , TN AECOM ⋅ 40 years experience

A MBA focused more on the business process and geared to running a business either yourself or part of corporate team.

The MS should be more hands on in the day to day how to manage programs and projects.

So as Katie stated, it depends on what you want to do.

And as Tom stated, an advance degree is not absolutely essential.

Education cannot be taken away from you. If you have the time and money, you will always get something from it.

With a background in logistics, where are you looking to go? Stay in logistics or use that as a base from which to take another direction?

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

* Factor in that a Masters degree is not necessary to earn most certifications.

* Learn about VCTP Syracuse - 100% free, no GI Bill, remote learning and certification training, lots more great resources, the next deadline for guided track admissions is Nov . 25, 2013.

* Also consult with individuals at local chapters of pmi.org and apics.org . This is a great reason to reach out to local chapters and begin networking, request a mentor, volunteer, attend meetings, learn, etc.

Also see "A PMP Checklist For Veterans: "How to Learn More About the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification:" :
https://acp-advisornet.org/question/927/a-checklist-for-veterans-how-to-learn-more-about-the-project-management-professional-pmp-cert./p1