Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

Well, the MBA from UOP would take longer to get, but likely add more value in the long run. An MBA looks better on a resume.

I don't know the specifics of the certificates, but there might be some slight different focuses due to the groups. For example, the DMA would likely look better for work in direct marketing, where the AMA might have some more general appeal (though I find the AMA organization to be a little marketing research focused - not sure if that bend shows up in their program).

Note - my response to this question may not be unbiased. I am a part-time professor for UOP. I teach international management classes in the MBA program.

Some clarifications on UOP:

UOP offers classroom classes (that is what I teach), online classes, and mixed (you meet live for the first and last class and do everything else online). They are not an online only school.

Interesting to hear about the eMarketing professors not having the work experience. The school seemed to have a pretty rigorous process for selecting instructors. I had to show significant work experience in the area I teach, along with significant graduate level classwork (generally 9 credit hours) in that area. Perhaps the e-marketing area has lesser requirements because it is a new field. But I can't see them being too lenient, because they have pretty strict requirements placed on them by the accreditation agencies.

Note - the UOP requirements are not perfect. For example, the area I thought I would be most qualified for (international marketing), I am not approved to teach. Just about my entire 15 years (gads, has it been that long!?!) work experience has been in marketing, and I have a BS in marketing, my MBA didn't have enough marketing classes for me to qualify. I teach in areas that I studied more and do have work experience in, but not what I consider my primary area of expertise (marketing).

Just wanted to clarify about UOP.

Back to the issue at hand:
The prices you list seem to be a bit high. I know UOP would be expensive and also take longer. But $8k for a certificate?!?

A friend of mine is completing a Marketing Certificate through University ofCalifornia, Berkeley Extension. I seem to remember that it cost her something between $3500 and $5000 for the certificate, and I think it was more classes than the 4 you mention.

I asked my friend about her certificate program (cost, number of classes, whether she felt she learned anything, and whether she felt it looks good on her resume), and got a quick response. She currently works in MarCom for a small comapany:

"Well, the certificate through UC Berkeley Extension had 4 required core classes (8 units)and 3 elective courses (6 units). Each class was about $500... So, the complete program was about $3500, not including books. The requirements will vary depending on the school. UC Santa Cruz required a total of 10 courses for the certificate, which would have meant about $1500 more if I had chosen that one.

In my case, it has provided "formal" training to what I have been doing already at work. I have found some of the classes to be very interesting and useful, and have learned new things. Some others have been a total waste of time and money. I guess if you look at the overall benefit, it's one more education-related thing in your resume, that shows that you are interested in furthering your career and staying up-to-date in the Marketing arena."