MCITP vs Master's Degree

[Cinder]

I have been strongly considering going back to school for my Master's. I have a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, but I don't use much of it on a daily basis. I mainly manage a small business' network with server 2003, SQL server, Navision and about 20 other node computers. My goal is to advance further in the IT field where pay is better and I get more excitement from the technology I deal with each day. Right now I am as high as I can be in this company, directly below the owner.

I would like to either get a Master's in Management Information Systems or get a few certifications that I don't have, such as a MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional, the server 2008 version or the MCSE). I'm torn since getting certified is obviously cheaper, but will the Master's truly help me keep a job and get a better job in the future? I tried to find some other opinions about this matter on the forums, but there really wasn't a large amount of content (which was surprising).

 

[Lifted]

MBA(?) in MIS is good forever. This will also put you on track for management positions.

MCITP is good for 5 or so years as an administrator/engineer/consultant.

 

[iGas]

I second the MBA track if you have had managerial experience. A master may not be the ticket to job security, but IMHO certainly open more doors than not having one.

Is it possible that your employer reimburse your tuition or part of the master education if that is one of the requirement for the corporate ladder?

 

[Zargon]

masters in MIS is NOT an MBA(Business Administration) FWIW.

the MIS masters is better for IT related people

I am thinking of going that route, think it will hold more residual value than a CERT

 

[iGas]

masters in MIS is NOT an MBA(Business Administration) FWIW.

the MIS masters is better for IT related people

I am thinking of going that route, think it will hold more residual value than a CERT

My brother in-law have an MIS and is working for IBM and with over 20 years of experience with them. And, he wished that he went with an MBA, because his MBA coworkers have easier jobs with better pay (PWC paid for his master just before their IT department got eaten up by IBM). Both masters pay level are about equivalent to each others, however an MBA type job have much better opportunity for greater bonuses.

 

[Lifted]

masters in MIS is NOT an MBA(Business Administration) FWIW.

I was referring to the Information Systems MBA which is obviously very different from MIS Master's degree. IMO, MBA is worth more.

 

[classy]

In all honesty, right now if you have a college degree it would be a waste of time at the moment. Because most IT jobs like college degrees, but you still need certs. Most places won't even give an interview without them. If you have a college degree, I would focus on a high level cert like MCSE, or the server 2008 version.

 

[Cinder]

The Master's in MIS is actually a Master's of Science for those curious and not an MBA. I also find out today that while getting my masters I will be required to get a few different Microsoft certs as part of my course work. I think that may be the way I am leaning now. I can get the master's in about 2 years.