Any consequences for switching from master's program to a graduate certificate program while using tuition assistance?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:12:47 -0500

I have a question about Army Tuition Assistance. I'm currently using it while enrolled in my third class for my master's degree program with UMGC. I'm due to graduate early next year but I already know that I don't want to pursue the related career once I'm done. My original motivation was just to have another degree on my resume and to gain a little more hands on experience with the potential job duties. Probably a bad reason but what's done is done.

My current class is only third out of the six total classes I'll need to complete the master's degree. But UMGC has a related graduate certificate program in which this current class would be the final in it's curriculum, so I'd be complete once I finish it.

If I switch my master's program to the relevant certificate program of the same school, will there be any consequences? No future classes have been paid for because registration doesn't open until a few weeks before classes start anyway. I've always paid my half of the classes I've taken so far and I've never been late or delinquent. Will it be too late to switch? Who do I contact about it?

Response by Wayne Soares made Jan 25 at 2021 8:31 PM

Wayne Soares — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:31:44 -0500

Thanks for the post Michael

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2021 8:33 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:33:04 -0500

Only 6 for a Master's Degree?!!? Dude, just get the degree. The cert is in the same field apparently. A degree is higher than a cert. I mean the only downside is that you won't have a Master's degree, which nowadays is the great decider as everyone has a Bachelor's and people know they should get a Master's. Master's degree yes, professional certification (like from a body, not a school i.e. CCNA, Security+, CEM) yes, Master's cert - better than a Bachelor's but not quite the degree.
Again, nothing against getting the cert, I'd just recommend the degree and then get professional certs within said field to fill the resume.

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Jan 25 at 2021 9:36 PM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:36:49 -0500

I don't know what the consequences may be but I think you should finish the masters program. From what you wrote the courses you have taken might be enough to get the certification and then take, what five more courses, and you then have the masters. Career wise the masters will look better for you at promotion boards and eventually civilian hiring opportunities. Wish you well. By the way I got my masters and haven't regretted it at all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2021 9:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:59:57 -0500

Just finish the Masters program. If you don't use it or don't go in the field you don't. I used my TA to get a Master's in Public Relations because I came in with a Bachelor's degree. But I don't think I'll go into PR when I retire. I used my 9/11 GI to get another Master's in Security Management.

Ultimately you might need to be getting ahold of GoArmyEd - which I just saw something somewhere that it's going to be offline starting in Feb sometime as it transitions to something new that it's going to be called. So you might also want to go to GoArmyEd and see about that and if you can even change anything right now.

Yeah I did TA and paid the half it doesn't cover when I had money. The last 3 months of the first degree I used my GI Bill to pay that half TA doesn't cover.

I really feel like the answers might be on the website or you ask the education people in the Veterans' Department. I got my first Master's from UMUC (UMGC now I guess). They were pretty helpful with any questions.

Start with the military advisers.

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Response by SPC Zach Lockhart made Jan 27 at 2021 1:12 PM

SPC Zach Lockhart — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:12:42 -0500

I’m picking up a certification while pursuing an MA, but I don’t really consider it meaningful and neither should anyone else. Just complete the degree program.