Start UIUC iMSM in January or defer?

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

Long story short...

I was accepted for University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign master's program. I have the option to start in January, March, or defer for an entire year if I want to. Would it be stupid to defer for an entire year and go earn another MS degree from say WGU or somewhere else? Or should I just start the iMSM and earn that one first?

[LevelUP]

What degree would you earn from WGU?

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

What degree would you earn from WGU?

MS Digital Marketing or MS Marketing Analytics. Although I have worked in Marketing for many years, so a MS in Marketing may not be all that worthwhile. Open to opinions. Was just thinking about knocking out a faster degree and then doing the other, but that may be pointless.

[bjcheung77]

If it was me, I would start this right away and get it done first before working on anything else... WGU and anything they offer can be completed after this degree is in the bag... The WGU degree really isn't necessary either, you can always supplement your IMSM with certs/experience as you've already got a Associates/Bachelors that have classes in Marketing or similar subject matter. Flip a coin, see what you want and how you want to plan your educational route...

[LevelUP]

What degree would you earn from WGU?

MS Digital Marketing or MS Marketing Analytics. Although I have worked in Marketing for many years, so a MS in Marketing may not be all that worthwhile. Open to opinions. Was just thinking about knocking out a faster degree and then doing the other, but that may be pointless.

I considered the possibility of pursuing the MS Digital Marketing program at WGU as well. However, it appears that since the curriculum relies heavily on Google and HubSpot certs, one can acquire that knowledge independently through certs outside of WGU.

I prefer the iMSM or iMBA route over the idea of getting both the WGU and UIUC masters. Therefore, I would choose one program over the other.

Finding a marketing program that stays current with the latest business tactics can be challenging. It's a fascinating career that, unfortunately, isn't discussed enough on this forum.

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

What degree would you earn from WGU?

MS Digital Marketing or MS Marketing Analytics. Although I have worked in Marketing for many years, so a MS in Marketing may not be all that worthwhile. Open to opinions. Was just thinking about knocking out a faster degree and then doing the other, but that may be pointless.

I considered the possibility of pursuing the MS Digital Marketing program at WGU as well. However, it appears that since the curriculum relies heavily on Google and HubSpot certs, one can acquire that knowledge independently through certs outside of WGU.

I prefer the iMSM or iMBA route over the idea of getting both the WGU and UIUC masters. Therefore, I would choose one program over the other.

Finding a marketing program that stays current with the latest business tactics can be challenging. It's a fascinating career that, unfortunately, isn't discussed enough on this forum.

I agree with that. One of the deterrents of the WGU degree was that I already have the Google certs and Hubspots certs that you'd earn along the way. It would sort of be a wash in that aspect. It's honestly hard for any marketing programs to keep up with how fast marketing evolves.

[freeloader]

Personally, I would only put UIUC on hold if you have an urgent need for a master’s degree and can’t wait to finish UIUC.

Not for nothing, I have read on various other forums that the WGU marketing degrees are not as easy to accelerate as the MBA or MSML.

[MichaelDoesMarketing]

Personally, I would only put UIUC on hold if you have an urgent need for a master’s degree and can’t wait to finish UIUC.

Not for nothing, I have read on various other forums that the WGU marketing degrees are not as easy to accelerate as the MBA or MSML.

Noted. I don't have an urgent need for a master's degree, so I'll prob just start with UIUC.