MBA matchmaking

If picking your ideal MBA programme from the myriad on offer feels rather daunting, brace yourself to ask some tough questions, writes Dr Ronald K Chung

Now that you have a clear idea of what an MBA really is, it's time for the ultimate Q&A - which MBA? However, with over 1,200 MBA programmes worldwide, choosing an MBA is not exactly a walk in the park - rather a walk in the dark. In fact, so many academic institutions are in the MBA game that it has become an industry and created an industry association.

Navigating the MBA maze is a complex task. Choosing a programme means looking closely at different options, kicking some tires and making sure that the product fits your needs as perfectly as it can. This means asking some hard questions.

To do this right, you should include the following top-ten additional questions about:
1. The programme and its design
2. The school and its reputation
3. The faculty and its expertise
4. The student body and its passion
5. Career prospects and their implications
6. The cost
7. The length of the programme
8. Teaching methods
9. Assessment methods
10. Local support.

1. The programme

After studying the prospectus, ask yourself, "What do I expect to get from the programme?" and "What can I expect to get from the programme?" If there is an instant match, great. Otherwise, proceed elsewhere.

Recently, universities have developed variations of MBA degree to better fit your needs and differentiate themselves. Basically, there are two avenues to this approach. One is to provide you with a narrower focus, in the form of a professional specialisation - such as an MBA with a marketing concentration.

That said, why anyone would want to do a MBA with a concentration is beyond me. To start with, the MBA was originally designed to provide broad management knowledge. In my humble opinion, anyone needing specialised professional skills should look for a Master's degree in a specialised area, such as an MSc in Marketing.

Another increasingly popular approach is to provide you with broader skills, such as an MBA/JD or an MBA/MD. These are actually dual degrees. In other words, you get two degrees, but do not spend twice as much time or money. According to statistics, less than 30 percent of graduate schools have these types of programme and, since they do not really exist in Hong Kong, let's not spend too much time on them.

So, what should you look for in an MBA programme? Well, a good general degree with lots of coverage of leadership and management. Programmes with a newer curriculum will have a bias towards innovation, entrepreneurship and international business.

Over the next few weeks, we will examine the rest of your top ten questions for academic institutions.

Meanwhile, remember to be prepared for tomorrow. Until next time, work hard, play hard.

Acknowledgement Dr Ronald K Chung is academic development director of the ET Business College, a member of the Hong Kong Economic Times Group. He has worked for a number of private companies and universities in the United States, as well as Hong Kong's Consumer Council. To contact Dr Chung, please write to DrChung@etbc.com.hk.

Taken from Career Times 2003/09/26