Executive programs manager at LSE Department of Management, Becky Coggins, answers our Applicant Question of the Week
It's time for another Applicant Question at BusinessBecause!Every week, we give you the opportunity to ask one of our chosen admissions experts anything you want to know about getting into business school. One question each week is chosen for our expert to answer.
This week, our question comes from an anonymous user.
Their question is answered by Becky Coggins, executive programs business development manager at LSE Department of Management.
Applicant Question of the Week:
Dear BusinessBecause,
When should you consider an alternative to an MBA program?
The Answer:
The post graduate business education market is flooded with options for further study.
It can probably feel a little overwhelming when you begin researching your options.
Further study is a big commitment both in terms of your time and money, so it’s important that you pick the right program to suit your needs.
Whilst an MBA continues to be a popular and worthy choice, there are a wealth of alternative business programs out there you may also want to consider.
Deciding which degree suits you
MBAs tend to be general so you may want to consider an alternative to an MBA if you are looking for something a little more specialized.
If you have a particular career path in mind that requires a certain skill set or area of knowledge and expertise, there are many other degrees and programs available that might address these needs.
You really need to think about your motivations and what you are hoping to get out of a postgraduate course overall.
An alternative program could be the answer if you are looking for a program that is going to take a slightly different teaching approach.
If you’re looking for a program that will challenge you to think differently, as well as give you a set of skills which will make you stand out in the crowd in a market saturated with MBA graduates, then an alternative program could also work too.
MBA vs Masters?
The Department of Management at the London School of Economics offers a Global MSc Management.
It is a program designed with the above in mind and offers the tools and skills that set you apart from other graduates.
The program takes a fresh approach to the traditional MBA curriculum.
Whilst it covers many of the usual topics, such as managerial economics, organizational behavior, and financial management, it takes a social-science based approach with a focus on building fundamental critical thinking skills.
This enables graduates to challenge structures and ideas about people, organizations, and the global business world, no matter what career path they take.
The program is unique as it takes a slightly more academic approach to teaching management.
It still uses case studies and provides an opportunity for the practical application of what you are learning to the real world.
However, it combines this with underlying theories and contextual history to give students a framework they can apply across sectors in the future.
In keeping with the tradition of LSE, we emphasis understanding the root causes of things.
We ask how things are done in the business world but also why, and all within a global context.
This academic rigor gives our students a distinctive competitive advantage in the complex business environment.
This alternative style of program provides a skill set which is quite different to a lot of traditional MBA programs.
You come away having developed your intellectual decision-making skills and are able to look at business challenges from a different perspective.
The tools the program provides won’t become outdated as the business world changes.
They are the types of skills that will continue to be relevant throughout the rest of a graduate’s career as they give you the ability to think abstractly, analytically, and critically.
Executive management programs come with a multitude of advantages and Europe is seeing a real trend towards them.
In a crowded business world, MBAs are becoming common currency and having a more specialized degree can help you stand out.
Often, they come at a lower financial cost than MBA courses and are run in a modular format, meaning students don’t have to take a break from their career to complete them and can directly apply what they learn in class to their workplace.
Ask an Admissions Expert a Question! 
Next time, you'll have the opportunity to ask Judi Byers, executive director of admissions & financial aid for Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, anything you want about getting into business school.
Judi has been with Samuel Curtis Johnson for four and a half years.
Prior to her current role, she was the admissions director for the Kogod School of Business.
Got a question you'd love Judi to answer? Submit your question on our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn pages, send us an email to info@businessbecause.com, or simply post a comment below!
Student Reviews
Kogod School of Business - American University
Clean and well maintained campus
I am completely enamored with this school. The entire student body is driven, inclusive, and highly intelligent. The decision to attend American University is not made haphazardly. Its close proximity to Washington DC, making it one of the most strategically located schools after Georgetown, means it's just a short train ride away. The campus is well-maintained, with mostly attractive buildings, although there are a few that are less appealing. Additionally, there are numerous excellent food options available. The wide range of clubs and organizations to join is remarkable. It is undeniably a school filled with immense passion.
City life
I’m having a wonderful time at American University. I love that I can get to a big city and still feel like a traditional campus. Sincerely, it is a school that may require some adjusting to, but in the end, it is a very good school with numerous opportunities for its students. The atmosphere in AU is so great that it pushes you in a positive way and offers every opportunity you could want.
Amazing helpful professors
American College is an incredible school with astounding teachers. Best professors I could have asked for at an amazing school. My opinion is that American University's professors are its greatest asset. They are extremely intelligent and always eager to assist their students. They go above and beyond in their classes to make sure that their students do their best.
AU Review
The workload is quite high and AU is definitely not an "easy" school. Students take their studies very seriously and can almost always find a group in the library, DAV, Starbucks or MGC. Courses can be quite ambitious if the right courses are offered and the admissions process can be confusing at times, but with the help of an advisor it is quite easy to navigate. The library can be crowded, and while it's not huge, there are plenty of other places to study on campus. The professors really want to help during office hours and interact with students. I've had good experiences with the professors and workload at AU, but it's an expensive city.
Majoring in Political and International Relations
The instructors are unique and the classes can be boring at times. Check-in is stressful (but it is everywhere). The workload is what I expected. The most popular majors are international relations and political science
I Love Being A Musical Theater Major
I love being a musical theater student, if you want to help behind the scenes, if you want to be an assistant director, if you want to be a director, if you want to write, you can do anything at this academy, very supportive, it's amazing, they are always there to help you. This is their working time. Even after the audition tells you what you did wrong, you can do better, or if you get picked, you know why they picked you, which is great
AU's Business Model
Overall, there were a lot of good opportunities at UA, both in terms of course range and faculty. However, I had a few complete misfires. People who shouldn't have taught at all. Like all universities, AU's business model is to hire hands-on assistants so they don't have to pay them extra or perform well. They are signed and if that does not work, they are not hired any more. The problem with this is that you end up with people who are unqualified and bring their own agendas, biases that may or may not be based on research. Most of the professors were absolutely fantastic.
AU - The Real Problem With Academics
Some teachers are amazing, some awful - typical of any school. But the real problem with AU is that many students don't care about academics as much as other things (eg, partying). The academics are really interrupted by the Greek life and the social life of the students. This makes it difficult for students interested in academics to get the most out of their school experience. Some students do not take classes seriously and do not respect teachers and other students. Courses and opportunities at UA are perfect for people who want to take advantage
American University - The Best Place to Study
They know their stuff - I chose American University because the campus is beautiful and the biology program is relatively small. But after the first semester, I realized that all the professors, especially the people in the science department, are experts in their field. They are enthusiastic and helpful in lecturing; even the TAs who teach the labs are amazing and engaging.
Engaging Students and Incredible Professors
I would 100% recommend this school. I am a Marine Corps Veteran and proud AU alum. NI received my BA in Comparative Politics at AU in 2017. It was engaging and worth every minute. I was constantly engaged with the material the material and was fascinated by the culture the school presented. As an older student I was nervous to go to a highly competitive college but with the culture of both student and staff it was enjoyable through and through.
