Need expert advice! MBA or Master's Program????

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I am currently researching schools and programs so that I can start applying, and I plan to be in a full time program by fall 2011. I have a bachelor's degree in Marketing with 4 years of experience in the field. I am interested in taking my career to the next level, which is why I want to obtain an MBA or a Master's degree. I really aspire to work in the media & entertainment industry with a career focused around marketing & media management. My dream job is to work in marketing for a major media company such as NBC Universal or Time Warner Inc. just to give you a small piece of my vision. I've always wanted to get an MBA, but with me wanting to get into this industry, what programs would you suggest I look into that have concentrations in this area? I recently came across Fordham University in New York. They offer an MBA with a concentration in communications & media management. I plan to keep them on my list, however I don't know much about the school. What are your thoughts on this university? Also, I have found some great master's programs that seem to match up with my goals. The graduate integrated marketing communcations program at Northwestern is definitely on top of my list as well. Their program is more concentated and focused. Which type of program do you think I should be looking into? Can you suggest any other schools that have programs or concentrations in this area?

Please feel free to suggest schools from all locations! I am not limiting my locations...if the program is worth it, I will relocate anywhere in the U.S.!
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by Tani » Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:24 am
You can start by Googling for MBA programs with concentrations in media and communication. The best (because of their industry connections) will be in New York and LA. Another source might be trade magazines. You could see which schools are advertising in publications directed at your industry. Another approach is to work backwards. Identify your dream employers and then find out where they interview and hire. Most schools will tell you who interviews on campus and where their graduates work. You can even approach the HR department in an employer and ask for a 15 minute informational interview and put the question to an HR professional who is involved with hiring.
If you know anyone already in the industry, that individual may be able to tell you where his/her colleagues have gone to school.

NYU has a media and entertainment concentration (https://www.stern.nyu.edu/AcademicProgra ... /index.htm), Columbia has a media concentration, USC has an entertainment focus and UCLA has an entertainment and media curriculum. These are all very competitive schools, but there will be many in the next tier that offer comparable curricula.

Good luck hunting,
Tani Wolff