Alternatives to the MBA

For years, the business world considered the MBA the gold standard for career advancement.

In many ways, it still is. For people fresh out of college and looking for a broad business education, the MBA is still a viable and readily available option.

However, specialization in today's business culture requires degrees and programs that adapt to the changing needs of employers.

From larger business schools like Dartmouth's Tuck school in Hanover and the University of NE's Whittemore School in Durham to smaller institutions, NH colleges are responding by offering more specialized alternatives to MBA programs. "Up until around 15 years ago, it was a given that the MBA was considered a ticket to the fast lane," says Dr. George Abraham, director of graduate and executive programs at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics.

"Now, industry perceives it more as an entry-level license to operate. The development of specialization and tracks have required that there be more options, especially for those already in industry," he says.

The Educational Options

Besides the MBA, there are primarily two graduate options for those looking to advance their careers.

The first is certificate programs, which are specialized courses of study that focus exclusively on a specific subject or give an overview of a broader field. The courses and credit hours required to receive a certificate depend on the programs themselves, but usually require three to six classes.

Then there are master's of science degrees. Like a certificate program, MS degrees specialize in specific fields.

However, they also cover fields with more breadth and depth, providing a broader educational experience.

While requiring more commitment than a certificate program generally eight to 12 courses - MS degrees also tend to require less time than a typical MBA program.

Diane Monahan, director of graduate admissions at Rivier College in Nashua, says some potential students still think that the MBA is the necessary next step for their advancement, but may find an alternate program better suits their needs.

"There are still some leftovers that believe that they need the MBA as opposed to an MS degree," says Monahan. "If they see themselves staying at their current company, then we will look at the benefits of the master's of science degree. If they feel they will be moving on to different companies and not necessarily stay in their field, we'll discuss the MBA with them."

However, Dr. Paul Schneiderman, dean of the business school at Southern NH University in Manchester, says that there are numerous programs for those who are not sure if the MBA is the right degree to pursue.

"There are many types of students that come to our school: international students, adult learners, middle managers and a smaller group of seniors," says Schneiderman. "They have different goals and different needs. They are looking for specific programs, which may not be the typical MBA."

For example, a field such as human resources, though steeped in a business culture that works closely with business executives, also requires skills usually not offered in an MBA program.

"In the case of human resources, it is an extremely specific degree. The HR degree is much more in depth with the people and employee-specific issues than the MBA," says Rivier's Monahan.

Program Variations

Alternatives to the MBA, whether a certificate or an MS program, differ because of their specialization. However, they also vary between the schools themselves.

Schools such as Dartmouth, UNH and SNHU offer a wider array of courses than some of the smaller schools, but may not be the best fit. Some students may prefer a smaller school, especially if it means more interaction with the instructor and fellow students.

Others may work at a company that participates in a school's cohort program, where a student goes through a structured schedule with the same classmates throughout an entire degree or certificate program.

Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene takes a humanistic approach toward education, stressing an experimental and peerbased education experience. Dr. Bill Griffith, acting chair of Antiochs organization management master's program, says that his program meets those objectives.

"The focus of the organizational development degree is to pay attention to human development more so than the traditional MBA," says Griffith. "There is more room to look at HR development, perspectives on management styles and social responsibility. The focus is on how to bring these theories alive."

Calling Antioch's MS in organizational management the "antiMBA," Griffith says the degree is popular for those in the technology field seeking to become managers. "People in IT, for example, already have an extensive background in the technical side of their field. They need managers that understand the human side. "

Dr. Richard Keating at New England College in Henniker is a firm believer in graduatelevel education through the cohort model. "Most schools offering graduate education programs have cohort programs available, but NEC works with companies to shape programs for their employees," says Keating, who is the director of graduate studies at the college.