earn an MBA or an MBA/JD

It’s been much too long since I updated my progress on this goal… for I am now an MBA graduate! :) Yes, that’s right. After 3+ years of PT study I completed my degree and can begin to enjoy a less stressful life.

The education was well worth the effort and tuition. I am smarter and more confident than I was before. I hope that this degree will open the door to new career opportunities.

Also, I’ve decided that at the age of 35, the MBA will very likely be my one and only graduate degree. I would like to now look forward to marrying the right woman and starting a family. :)

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I am catching up on my readings and will try to leap ahead. Chapters 10 & 11 – complete. Need to circle back for Chapters 8 & 9. Then, yes, you guessed it, chapters 12 & 13. I’m enjoying the sense of accomplishment with each checkmark I can make in the syllabus.

I received an ‘A-’ in my first finance exam and I believe my team presentation on Monday went well. :) Two and a half weeks (and one exam) remain for the course.

Referring back to the goal, verbatim, “earn an MBA or MBA/JD,” I have applied to take the LSAT. I am pursuing the MBA at a public university and thankfully, my employer has paid for roughly half of the tuition. It’s likely that I will remain not only in state but in my current home should I pursue a law degree, but time will tell. If so, that a private university is in the cards.

The only think that stands between me and my MBA is three finance courses. I have finished my required courses and completed a concentration in management. As you may have guessed by now, finance will be my second concentration.

I am taking one finance course this summer, with the second scheduled for the Fall 2010 semester and the third and final scheduled for Spring 2010. In one way, it would be nice to graduate within the 2010 calendar year, but a spring graduation is more traditional and the weather is suer to be nicer. :)

Almost a year has elapsed since my last update. This semester I am enrolled in one management class which will be challenging and rewarding. Cliche perhaps, but true. Come May, four classes – all electives – will remain. If I can manage two in the summer and two in the fall, I will graduate before the calendar year ends. :) That being a possibility, it is unlikely. My company pays only $2,000 per year for tuition reimbursement. It’s to my advantage to space out classes.

I’m roughly 1/3 of the way through the Spring semester (although it does not feel anything like Spring tonight). I am somewhat tempted to enroll in a 10-day study abroad program this summer that would lead me to Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; and Prague, Czech Republic. The cost (including tuition, flight, hotel and tours BUT not including spending money and most meals) = $4,400. It could be an incredible experience… but would it be financially dumb?

I decided against the joint MBA/JD program at Stetson for one simple reason: I enjoy (and need to) work. My life would be a horrible bore and I would graduate a bitter though well-educated man. ;)

As it stands, provided I pass my two classes this semester, I will need only 8 more to earn my MBA. Perhaps that seems like a lot, but keep in mind that spent two semesters completing the prerequisites. I am on track to graduate in May 2010.

I am going to take some time in the next few days to again consider transferring from USF to Stetson for the opportunity to simultaneously pursue a JD.

“Students electing to enter this program will enjoy a significant savings in required course work. The MBA program accepts 12 semester hours from a list of approved electives in the law curriculum, and the College of Law accepts 12 semester hours from the MBA curriculum. The student’s net benefit is a 24-hour reduction when compared to pursuing the two degrees independently due to the 12 hours of cross-over credits accepted by each school.”

Hooray, I received an ‘A’ in my one and only summer course. :) Thankfully, I had an excellent project team which helped. Classes resume in late August. Until then, I can officially enjoy summer vacation… with the exception of a CAPM certification exam which I will take in July 28. Wish me luck.