Kristie, Since you already have a MA in Museum Studies, it seems to me that the MBA would be much more useful than the non-profit degree. It would also make you much more versatile. Sarah Stage ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sarah Thomas Stage Arts Administrator Division of Cultural Affairs Cultural Support Grants Program 1001 DeSoto Park Drive Tallahasssee, FL 32301 850/245-6459 FAX 245-6497 www.florida-arts.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -----Original Message----- From: Kristie Rhoback [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 9:26 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Certificate Vs. MBA Hello Listers.... I am looking for an opinion about professional development... I already have an MA in Museum Studies and work full time in a curatorial position. However, I am interested in gaining management skills to keep myself marketable in the future. I am interested in moving into a more administrative role, and increasing my employability outside the museum world (but still in the non-profit one). I will continue to work full time. My question is whether I should pursue a certificate in nonprofit management or purse a full MBA. There are no established non-profit degree or certificate programs within a reasonable driving distance (the closest is 3 hours away...)so I am looking at on-line programs. I have a few in mind, but I am looking for feedback from happy alums... My concern is that the quality of my on-line education will be less than in a classroom situation. By pursuing an MBA locally I would have a more traditional classroom setting and have a full degree when completed. Ideally I would like an Masters in Non-Profit management, but I have not found an on-line program that supports one. I am thinking of contacting a local university to see if a custom designed program can be developed...but this is uncertain. My questions are: Since I already have a masters, is it necessary to have a full management degree or is a certificate acceptable? In the long run would an MBA really increase my employability over a certificate in the non-profit world? Is an on-line degree (from an established university) as accepted as a traditional degree? Has anyone else struggled with this decision and have any thoughts to share? Thanks for your input. Kristie ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).