Q. If I worked in Finance and was getting my MBA, I would be unable to take any deductions then?
A. Correct. But, not exactly. Nobody can "take deductions". The question is do you qualify for tax free tuition reduction/remission. I interpret the wording in Pub 970 (a teaching or research role), the same as you do: you do not qualify. More importantly, your employer also appears to have interpreted it that way and has included the income on your W-2.
