<p>Here is the situation...I am currently finishing semester 2 of a 7 semester 1X a month MBA program at U-Florida. I'm scheduled to graduate in Dec. 2008. They offer a 1X a month MS in Business that I can transfer into and graduate in June, 2008. I'm 35 years old, a single parent and want to get on with my life (wife, another kid, etc...). If I transferred, would I be making a mistake as far as my career goes. At the end of the day, I will still have my Masters degree from a top 50-business school. I have 8 years of experience in my current role as a flavors chemist and would like to stay in my field. Is the MBA that much superior? Will potential doors stay shut with an MS over MBA? I'm kind of torn. Thank you for your honest input.</p>
<p>The issue is generally brand confusion. That's why few students at MIT Sloan take the SM degree in management, usually opting for the MBA. {In case you're wondering, MIT doesn't give out any BS or MS degrees, instead they reverse the letters to 'SB' or 'SM'}. Strictly speaking, the Sloan SM degree could be considered a 'higher' degree than the Sloan MBA because the SM degree requires that you write a master's thesis, whereas the MBA does not. Most students don't bother with the thesis. However, of those that do complete it, even most of them stlll choose to take the MBA anyway even though they could opt for the SM. The problem seemed to be that a lot of employers simply had no idea what an SM in management was, and certainly didn't realize that it was at least equivalent, and in certain respects was actually better than an MBA.</p>
<p>From my past experience recruiting for a Fortune 500, MBA is among the most recognized and understood credential. I think an MS from UF may put you in a real disadvantage when recruiters are shortlisting the candidates (who have qualified experience and MBA) for interview. If you do get through that first cut, be prepared to convince them your MS credential over MBA. On the other hand, if you resume reads MS/SM in Bus. Administration from MIT Sloan which is a widely recognized brand, you will almost always get the benefit of doubt. </p>
<p>The bottom line, I will stick with UF MBA considering it is only one extra semester.</p>