www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall MBA vs. MPA

Which degree would help me more in the non-profit sector, an MBA with nonprofit management or an MPA with nonprofit management/leadership concentration?

Michael,

That's a tough question - as there's probably no "right" answer. Depending on the university, an MBA program may afford a student more variety and flexibility in the courses available to be taken. (If the university offers both, that may be less of an issue, because those will ordinarily allow cross-overs to a certain number of credits.)

From a practical standpoint, in many areas, an MBA still carries more cachet than an MPA and will often give you a better return in terms of remuneration, even in the non-profit sector.

In regards to emphasis, my experience is that MPA programs are generally more attuned to the non-profit sector than MBA programs with a non-profit focus. Some (though not all) of the latter are, in reality, "business as usual" but with an eye to creating some sensitivity toward social consciousness on the part of the MBA grad.

Many years,

Neil

What is the difference in hours and courses? Is it possible with a few changes or taking some of one to double? Are they similar enough/enough in common between them?

Pani Rose

Basically, the difference is that MBA is "for profit." MBA graduates normally work in the private sector (the business world).

MPA is "nonprofit." MPAs normally work in the public sector (the government), i.e., in public service.

Courses leading to the MPA degree provide training in public policy and project/program implementation, more recently known as public management.

MPA programs focus on public administration at the local, state, and federal level as well as in the nonprofit sector.

Amado

OK, For instance my husband is both an Electrical and Electronic Engineer. It did not take that many additional courses for him to double, though it was a lot of extra studying.

That is what I am asking.

Do you think there is a way you can double without having to take too many additional courses?

Rose,

No, it's neither feasible nor would it make any particular sense to try and pull off a double Master's degree in these two fields. One would be much better off to pursue one or the other in a program that allows pursuit of a law degree at the same time.

Amado,

Good catch. I passed right by the public policy/management aspects of the MPA programs (probably since working in the public sector was even more frustrating and less financially rewarding than working in the non-profit sector and dealing with the public sector ).

Many years,

Neil

Dear Friends,

My two female cousins were different in that one took an MBA and the other married an EC priest.

I once remarked, over dinner, that the two were similar in that they BOTH had an "MBA."

They protested loudly as if to say, "How?!"

I then said, "One of you has a "Master's of Business Administration and the other - a "Man Behind the Altar!"



Alex