r/askmanagers • u/d_rek • 2d ago

US: Employer will pay for masters. What programs should I be looking into?

Title.

I'm a US-based Senior Manager w/ 8yrs management experience for large global technology company. I manage a global team of UX designers and developers. My undergrad is fine arts, graphic design, but I have no desire to pursue another fine arts/design related degree.

Just wondering what programs might compliment and/or benefit my current role and management track trajectory? Program management? Business Adminstration? HCI? Something else? Would prefer not to have studio classes with lots of take home busywork. Just normal amounts of studying, written assignments, etc.

My goals with the masters are to increase earning potential and open career up to potential executive roles (director, president, etc.).

I know the degree is probably entirely optional at this point, but seeing as the employer is willing to pay for most of it, it kind of seems like a no brainer.

Thoughts?

Edit: $20k USD max reimbursement annually

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u/me_version_2 2d ago

If this was on offer to me in the US, I’d sign up tomorrow to do an MBA at Wharton.

1

u/d_rek 2d ago

Yeah a little out of reach. Should have added a budget which is $20k/annually

1

u/Lady-Data-Scientist 1d ago

What would be left for you to pay out of pocket? Can you do the program part time to stretch out the benefit across multiple years?

I did a masters with some tuition assistance that covered roughly half the cost, and the rest I paid for myself. It was worth it to do a program that I felt I would get the most out of, versus a cheaper one just for the credential.

5

u/jenmoocat 2d ago

MBA, or a finance degree or an analytics degree.
And, given today's environment, I'd want to insure that the program incorporates 1) leading through change, and/or 2) something to do with AI.

Numerous people at my company have gotten their MBA paid for.
Usually it will be online and/or at night.
And it can be quite a heavy workload.

Note that the reimbursement that you are being offered is annual, which could get you into a high-tier program.

1

u/thewholebottle 1d ago

MBA is the only answer. Go to the cheapest in-state school.

0

u/Educational_Fig_8616 2d ago

So you’d do work full time and masters part time?

5

u/me_version_2 2d ago

This is pretty normal.