Should I get an online MBA while in Med School?

[Chihuahaua]

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Note: I would be doing both simultaneously. Also, is it against the rules to be enrolled in both programs at once? Will it be a work overload? Has anyone ever done this before???? Pls help

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Note: I would be doing both simultaneously. Also, is it against the rules to be enrolled in both programs at once? Will it be a work overload? Has anyone ever done this before???? Pls help

You really won't have time for this. Medical school is already work overload by itself. Doing this would be insane in my opinion.

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[HomeSkool]

If you can get into an MD/MBA combined degree program it's feasible to do both, but that generally involves a five-year course to graduation including a year dedicated solely to the MBA. Otherwise, I strongly advise against trying to do both at the same time. Med school is way too demanding and an MBA is no joke, either. Get your medical degree, get through residency, and then think about getting your MBA. (My authority in recommending this course of action is that I'm an MD/MBA, and I did my MBA through an online program after residency.)

 

[Tenk]

No.

 

[ciestar]

There isn’t time to do it at the same time.

If you want an MBA so badly, find an MD/MBA program

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Note: I would be doing both simultaneously. Also, is it against the rules to be enrolled in both programs at once? Will it be a work overload? Has anyone ever done this before???? Pls help

I have an MBA. MBA programs are time consuming. If you go to a traditional MBA program, you will be involved in group projects, externships and a whole bunch of other stuff. If you want to simply get a leg up on other physicians with respect to management, study economics online. After medical school and residency, you might want to consider a part time executive MBA program. Another possibility is the online hospital administration program offered by Ohio University.

 

[Lnsean]

No and online MBAs are worthless

 

[TheBiologist]

as someone mentioned online MBAs are worthless

I know a business student at my top 20 school who told me that 90% of the value of an MBA is just the networking (which you won't get online)

 

[MedScat]

I'm currently an M1 getting an online MBA at the same time as getting my MD. At this particular school, the online MBA degree is no different than the degree the in-person students receive so don't listen to people about "online MBAs being worthless". Technically, this is an MD/MBA program but actually the business school and the MD school do not communicate at all. the MD program is my main focus and I will complete that in 4 years and I have up to 6 years to completely the MBA (I'll probably be done before that though). I just got a GMAT waiver because of the MCAT and I was pretty much guaranteed admission because I am part of the MD school. I am currently finishing up my first class while in the medical program and yes it was time consuming but its definitely doable. Most of the projects are group projects which is where you get your networking done. If you have questions about what school I'm talking about, feel free to PM me and I can answer any questions. I personally think this is a great idea because like I said, the degree is equivalent to anyone getting their traditional MBA and it's a really flexible program. I'm not sure if I only get these benefits because I am enrolled in the same schools MD program but, I guess you could call and ask.

 

[Lnsean]

I'm currently an M1 getting an online MBA at the same time as getting my MD. At this particular school, the online MBA degree is no different than the degree the in-person students receive so don't listen to people about "online MBAs being worthless". Technically, this is an MD/MBA program but actually the business school and the MD school do not communicate at all. the MD program is my main focus and I will complete that in 4 years and I have up to 6 years to completely the MBA (I'll probably be done before that though). I just got a GMAT waiver because of the MCAT and I was pretty much guaranteed admission because I am part of the MD school. I am currently finishing up my first class while in the medical program and yes it was time consuming but its definitely doable. Most of the projects are group projects which is where you get your networking done. If you have questions about what school I'm talking about, feel free to PM me and I can answer any questions. I personally think this is a great idea because like I said, the degree is equivalent to anyone getting their traditional MBA and it's a really flexible program. I'm not sure if I only get these benefits because I am enrolled in the same schools MD program but, I guess you could call and ask.

It's worthless not because it's online...it's worthless because MBAs are different from all the other degrees...they derive their value from the reputation of the institution and the network / alumns that the institution has in the professional world. If you're not going to a top 10-20 school, it is worthless and a waste of money.

 

[MedScat]

It's worthless not because it's online...it's worthless because MBAs are different from all the other degrees...they derive their value from the reputation of the institution and the network / alumns that the institution has in the professional world. If you're not going to a top 10-20 school, it is worthless and a waste of money.

I agree that in the business only world an MBA from a non top 20 school could be "useless" but in the medical field, I don't not think it is useless. Having your MD/MBA could give you a leg-up for an administration position or can prove helpful if you want to start your own practice.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

No and online MBAs are worthless

I didn't suggest that the OP enroll in an online MBA program. I merely suggested that he or she might want to study economics on line. Most physicians are economically "uninformed" and this would be a way to get better informed. The online MHA program at Ohio U might be a good credential FOR PEOPLE WHO REMAIN IN MEDICINE. I'm sure that for people who want to leave medicine and go to Wall Street a full time MBA program at Stanford would be a better ticket, but the opportunity cost for a working physician would be outrageous.

 

[Lnsean]

I didn't suggest that the OP enroll in an online MBA program. I merely suggested that he or she might want to study economics on line. Most physicians are economically "uninformed" and this would be a way to get better informed. The online MHA program at Ohio U might be a good credential FOR PEOPLE WHO REMAIN IN MEDICINE. I'm sure that for people who want to leave medicine and go to Wall Street a full time MBA program at Stanford would be a better ticket, but the opportunity cost for a working physician would be outrageous.

My response wasn't directed towards you; no need to take it personally. I was answering OP"s question; it was directed to him. I still think they are worthless whether you stay in medicine or not, unless it is from a decent top 10-20 school.

 

[Boola Boy]

How about 4 yr MD/MBA programs? Not as long as the traditional 5 year programs, and you still get to network with business school students. I hear that they have a lot of fun when they're not doing school work.

Plenty of people have MBAs from non top 10-20 schools. Hell, my own father has an MBA from a no-name school, and it opened doors for him.

I f you go to a business school with a good local reputation, would it provide connections to local businesses? For example, if you want to be an administrator for an urban hospital, would having an MBA from the business school in that same city be useful?

I agree with the sentiment that the value of an MBA is in the networking.

 

[Aerus]

I knew a person who tried to do this and they ended up taking a leave of absence to finish it mid way through medical school. Don't do it.

 

[NickNaylor]

Unless you have a very clear plan to utilize both degrees, you would probably be better served waiting until post-residency to pursue this - not only for the experience, but to have a better sense of what you actually want to do with that additional training.

I say this as someone that is probably going to apply to MBA programs within the first few years of finishing residency. Having the experience of actually working in a large organization and as a physician (rather than as a medical student) provides extremely valuable experience that lets you start to figure out what you're actually interested, what you need to learn about, and how you'll use the training. I think it can be difficult to have a sense of that before you've even started working as a physician.

 

[raiderette]

One of my mentors growing up is doing this at one of my state schools known for a good business school. She loves it because the MBA is designed for existing physicians. They use their practices as case studies and have specific goals in mind. It makes more sense than trying to guess what the actual practice of medicine will give you.

 

[Raney Schauer]

Online anything except bs compliance stuff = no.
Anything while in med school, no unless youre already in an MSTP program.

Whole ass one thing at a time.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

It cant be overstated that the amount of writing papers, presentations and reading are crushing. Plus a program of studies in MBA are markedly different than medicine. the thinking is diametrically opposed which means it is taxing to switch from one to another and back.

Dont do it. If you lack 5-10 years working in corporate or business milieus, you will hobble your MD studies. Having an MBA Degree is priceless but you need to have business in your career history to hit the floor running with your MBA studies beforehand. Plus you need to have a decided purpose with your MBA Degree. Getting an MBA degree just to learn business is dumb. There are more pleasant ways to learn about business than going through the rigors of a professional degree program, not to mention less expensive.

NB The so called networking and connections formed during your studies are urban legend and not true. If you enter a MBA program with a significant amount of experience in business, then you already have your connections but more importantly you learned how to connect with anybody because business relies on that skillset. In medicine physicians depend on patients being fed to them. In business you go and find the customers. Business folks know how to network. Physicians suck at business and hence poor business skills. Different skillsets

This poster gets it. One thing at a time. In times past MBA programs weren't looking for prior experience. However, at the prestigious programs these days they would like people to have some kind of actual working experience because it improves class interactions and the programs don't want to graduate people who have zero interpersonal skills.

 

[Raney Schauer]

Here's my take on MBA's: you dont need one. MBA just means that you know some theory and some catch words. You're still useless because you don't have any experience. You'd still be in the mailroom. Two of my best friends run multimillion dollar high-stakes defense services and development portfolios on the strength of their smarts experience, being the right person in the right place at the right time with the right idea.

They have high school diplomas. One has been working on an online degree for the last 10 years. Not a high stakes deal. His wife is a VP at her company and has jsut decided to work on a biz PhD.

The other one stopped worrying about getting a degree about 5 years ago.

MBA's are all about brand. If you're taking an MBA from a website you're wasting your time and your money and in this case right here you're taking attention away from building the base of knowledge that will make you an effective physician. If you don't care about that get out of medicine now and be a business guy.

Go see Kevin Jubbal's YouTube channel. That guy decided to bail on a plastics program to be a full time entrepeneur.

Plastics.

He did all the work to get there and quit less than a year in. He wasted his own time and (this is the part that bothers me) a medical school and then a plastics training slot that someone else equally deserved and would have been very happy and productive with.

If you want to be a business person, figure it out now. Don't waste your time and money (that's a business decision) and a valuable resource that can be better utilized by someome else.

 

[libertyyne]

There is no administrative medical position where you would get hired solely based on an added MBA credential.

 

[Raney Schauer]

There is no administrative medical position where you would get hired solely based on an added MBA credential.

Definitely more of a "who you know" and "demonstrated leadership qualities" type of deal.

*This takes years of being in the real world to build the contacts and experience and the intangibles like ***not being an a-hole*** and people trusting you and wating to work with you. Not something you can study and block-check your way into.

 

[ortnakas]

What would you do with an MBA?

I can see it working only if it’s a dual program, so the MBA people know the demands of the MD program and vice versa. I can’t imagine having MBA papers and finals at the same time of year as boards, or needing to work on business school class work in the same month as a busy surgery block.

 

[Raney Schauer]

The goal shouldnt be getting an MBA its hiring MBAs to do your bidding hashtagempirebuilding