Which Masters Degrees are worth the money, time and effort?

Gavin, good questions.  The right choice depends on what you want to do in my view.  In my opinion, the MS in Emergency Management is well suited for EM, but may not translate to other areas.  The MBA would be useful in understanding how businesses think and operate particularly from a profit driven point of view.  That would translate to more areas.  The MS in organizational leadership would also translate well broadly but is not as well known or understood as the MBA (although I think its much more valuable in reality).

All of my graduate work has been either in night classes or on-line.  I obtained a MS Business Admin (MSBA) which looks a lot like the current MBAs.  As you probably know MBA programs range from 32 hours to far beyond that.  I completed a Doctor in Business Admin (DBA) in Organizational Leadership.  The DBA is from an on-line school that has accreditation from one of the two major business school accreditation organizations (ACBSP, the other is AACSB).  

I found that there are lots of MBA grads out there and too few focused on Org Leadership.  (this is where I start to preach)  In today's knowledge worker economy, leading is more critical than it used to be.  There are lots of folks who understand the mechanics of business (the MBA) and few who understand the people side (the org leadership).  The major difference is in the leadership.

I'd be glad to chat with you more on this if you want - its an interest of mine.

Best of luck on your decision.          

LTC Gavin Heater

I cannot recommend a program to you (unless you like the logistics) but I can recommend the online route.

I am currently working on my Masters of Industrial Distribution through Texas A&M University. It is a 95% online program. I had concerns about it being online but it has not been to difficult. The program is completed in cohort, where a group of students is admitted and we complete the same classes together each semester and then move on to different classes the following semester. My professors understand that we all work, have families and other requirements so they do not inundate us with mounds of homework. On average I spend 6-8 hours a week per class to meet the requirements. My profs are very understanding and easily reachable if I have questions about the materials covered or life in general. My classmates and I will get together, if able, and cover materials before a test. Otherwise, we email, call and web chat. I have another year left of the program but I have already begun to look for online Ph.D. options. I'm not sure I even want a Doctorate degree but I feel so comfortable with online that I am considering it.

I think it depends on what you want to do and what you have time for. UNC offers an online MBA and I've seen them advertising a MPA specifically designed for military; a lot of campus options in your neck of the woods--whatever you want to do is probably what you'll be most passionate about. Good luck Sir.