>I'm considering starting an MBA program. I have a BS in Computer Science
>and I have always wanted to go back and get my Masters.
>
>The question is, as a programmer, does this overqualify me? While I might
>not turn down a management position, I like being a programmer.

I have an Electrical Engineering degree and an MBA. Most of my EE electives were computer related - this was before the University of SC had their Computer Engineering track. I went straight to grad school and completed my MBA in 1988, and don't regret it in the slightest. I think an MBA will help you get your foot in the door on opportunities where without it you might be overlooked. Further, I think the business classes help you develop a better understanding of the business problems you typically are trying to solve as a programmer (especially with respect to the big picture, which is not necessarily explained when a user comes to you with a specific need). In my job, I do both programming and management functions. In fact, my interest in Fox grew from the ability it gave me to perform my management functions better/faster. IOW, I was not hired as a programmer, but that part of my job evolved as it helped me do my job better. Nobody has ever complained about me doing too much programming and not enough managing.

As for the accounting/finance classes you are worried about, you probably won't have to take but one or two of each if they don't interest you. You can specialize in one of several areas and you will take more classes in your specialty. There is an area known as "Management Science" which as I recall has a feel of programming. Ironically, I considered it pretty boring. However, I took a couple of marketing research classes that were fascinating with their use of statistics and programming of statistics packages (SAS, SPSS, etc.). BTW, I hate statistics yet I loved these classes. Few of the business classes came even close to the difficulty of the classes I took in Engineering school. The thing was the Business school challenged me with the quantity of work that was required. Lots and lots of reading - so much that it was impossible to do it all. It was like drinking water from a firehose (kinda like when you go to a DevCon). You learned to prioritize or you would not make it. Maybe that was by design.

If you want to stay in a strictly programming job, I don't think it would get you paid more. But, if you want a management job, I think you could still do programming work, if you do it like I have. With the combination of skills (which is relatively rare in industry), you would figure to be paid more in that type of position.

Good luck...