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

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