MS in MIS before PhD

[oldprogrammer]

I'm considering a Masters before proceeding to a PhD because I've been out of school for so long. In the MIS world, would it be better to pursue an MS at UT-Dallas or an MS at Texas A&M? A&M has a better reputation in general, but their MIS department doesn't seem research-focused and they have apparently suspended their PhD program. Which degree would serve me better? Would going to either school significantly affect my PhD admissions?

[Prawler]

You will decide about which school to attend. But frankly, I should say that a master's degree with an outstanding GPA will be helpful in your application towards a PhD program.

[oldprogrammer]

I should make this question more general: Which would be a better school to get an MS in MIS before proceeding on to a PhD? Keeping in mind that my purpose in getting the MS is primarily to refresh my transcripts and secure solid LORs.

Option A. A less respected business program with a PhD program
Option B. A more respected business program without a PhD program

In particular, option A is "UT-Dallas", and option B is "Texas A&M". I'm leaning toward UT-Dallas, but I don't know how much weight is given to the reputation of the program.

[desimba]

In my mind, Texas A&M and UT Dallas have a similar reputation in the world of business. I believe some of the rankings (including one by UT Dallas) suggests that they are ranked higher than A&M. I also know that UT Dallas has had a very prominent alumni in the world of business academia, Dipak Jain who has been the Dean at Kellogg for the past several years.

Moreover given the fact that UT Dallas has a PhD program, getting your Masters there has the additional benefit that you may be able to get into their PhD program relatively easily if you fare well in the Masters program. So my vote would go for UT Dallas.

[oldprogrammer]

Thanks, Desimba. That's really what I was thinking, but I wanted at least one other person to validate that line of reasoning.

[oldprogrammer]

I hate to revive this old thread, but I had one other related question. Considering that my goal is an MIS PhD, which would prove more helpful: an MS in Information Systems from UT-Dallas or an MBA from UT-Austin?

[Prawler]

Austin is better for sure. MBA from Austin will open the gates of much more better schools than UTD.

[oldprogrammer]

That's what I was thinking, Prawler, but I keep reading that an MBA is not as appropriate preparation for a PhD as an MS. So I guess it's weighing appropriateness of curriculum (UT-Dallas) versus prestige and faculty access (UT-Austin). And to reiterate my particular situation, I have been out of school for about 8 years and need to go back to school to get those all important LORs and re-familiarize myself with the management curriculum.

What about Indiana's Kelley Direct online MBA? I would typically dismiss any kind of online degree, but Indiana's MBA is well-respected. I just don't know if that translates to it's "Direct" program, and how PhD AdComs would look at it.

[tkkoh]

Just to present another perspective. IS research can be broken down into 2 broad categories: economics- or organizational-based. I agree with your strategy to do a Master (transcript/LOR), but I would suggest you to consider a Master in either economics or OB-related areas (e.g. psychology, sociology, etc). Think of economics/psychology/etc. as the backbone or foundation to your IS research question. Take a look at the research papers that interest you, and see if you agree with me.

If you intend to take MSc in IS, I suggest that you take as many econs/OB modules as possible, depending on which track you like to pursue in your PhD IS program.

Btw, I look at the courses for MS at Texas A&M (Course Sequence | Mays Business School MBA Program - not sure if this is the one that you are referring to.) I would say none of the courses is directly relevant at the PhD level. Indirectly, they might (e.g. give you some research ideas/questions to pursue).

[Prawler]

Originally Posted by oldprogrammer

That's what I was thinking, Prawler, but I keep reading that an MBA is not as appropriate preparation for a PhD as an MS. So I guess it's weighing appropriateness of curriculum (UT-Dallas) versus prestige and faculty access (UT-Austin). And to reiterate my particular situation, I have been out of school for about 8 years and need to go back to school to get those all important LORs and re-familiarize myself with the management curriculum.

What about Indiana's Kelley Direct online MBA? I would typically dismiss any kind of online degree, but Indiana's MBA is well-respected. I just don't know if that translates to it's "Direct" program, and how PhD AdComs would look at it.

I should recommend you to seriously consider attending directly to PhD. UTD allows applicants to apply without a master's degree. And I know somebody who earned her MIS degree from UTD by not holding any masters prior to her acceptance.