If given an all-expenses paid advanced degree opportunity, what would you study?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:09:40 -0400

If you were given not only the free time to complete the degree, but all the expenses were paid as well, what would you study? Why would you study that? Remember, you can study anything you want to....

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 2 at 2015 2:11 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:11:07 -0400

Wildlife Management. Love the outdoors. I Feel that we are wasting our natural resources and we should do everything we can to preserve them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:12:02 -0400

Emergency management. That, or meteorology. I would have to study something that would further myself.

Although, underwater basketweaving does call to my heart...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:12:07 -0400

All expenses? Architecture...I love building stuff with my Legos. Imagine what I could do if I was a real architect

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:12:50 -0400

I truly enjoy recruiting, so it would be a more indepth study of HR and Recruiting for this guy!

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jun 2 at 2015 2:12 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:12:54 -0400

Easy one - organizational leadership. In fact, that is why I'm in the dissertation phase of a doctorate program now. I see the great weakness of our economy and government not as lack of management, but as a failure of leadership.

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made Jun 2 at 2015 2:14 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:14:28 -0400

I would go to school for paleontology. It would complete my boyhood dream of studying dinosaurs! That or I would get a degree in forestry with a minor in law enforcement so that when I retire I can be a park ranger.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:15:06 -0400

I'm currently pursuing a MS in Management: Acquisitions and Supply Chain Management.

It's not quite "all-expense paid" but I'm using TA! Graduate school is expensive!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:15:28 -0400

Health Administration Master's degree. I want to run a clinic with (low-income) patients, not profit, as the center.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jun 2 at 2015 2:16 PM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:16:28 -0400

This is a great question. That would be a dream come true for me I think as I've grown to love education and schooling after leaving active duty.

I would first go for an MFA. Having an MBA in a pretty quantitative concentration I think feel that I lack creativity at the level that I desire and I think getting in depth exposure for an extended period of time would be great.

I'd then go for a DBA, and get further learning beyond the MBA.

If anyone wants to buy me these degrees I'll take them!!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 2 at 2015 2:17 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:17:04 -0400

History...for the reason I studied History...I think I actually kind of did what you are asking. I took the Graduate student handbook, highlighted the classes I thought I would actually enjoy taking and went with the Masters program most highlighted. History, with an emphasis on Ancient History

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:19 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:19:30 -0400

History.
I am tired of being doomed to repeat it.

Response by PO1 Alan John made Jun 2 at 2015 2:20 PM

PO1 Alan John — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:20:39 -0400

It depends on what you want to be when you grow up? I have never grown up but I competed a Master of Science in Engineering Management after serving and it has been a great benefit to me. Good luck on deciding to grow up or not and which Masters degree would best support your future plans. AJ

Response by SCPO Randall Braddock made Jun 2 at 2015 2:20 PM

SCPO Randall Braddock — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:20:43 -0400

I would pursue a Doctorate in Systems Engineering and Engineering Management at GWU. Only thing standing in the way is tuition; I used my Post 9-11 benefits to get my Master's.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 2 at 2015 2:21 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:21:40 -0400

I did take advantage of this on A/D.

I earned a BS in chemistry through the NROTC program (I was already half way there before I enlisted).

Then I earned a Master of Engineering Management through the Navy Tuition Assistance Program. At the time I figured I'd be working in a defense acquisition program somewhere, so this degree in program management was a good fit.

Then, when I decided I wanted to be a rabbi when I grew up, I used my remaining MGIB benefits in getting MA degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Studies, and then also helping pay for my first year in Seminary.

I'm the poster child for what military/veteran education programs can get you...

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 2 at 2015 2:23 PM

PO3 David Fries — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:23:53 -0400

All expenses paid, and all the time? I'd go to Medical School. As much as I would hate to pay malpractice insurance, I've wanted to be an Anesthesiologist since the first day I walked into the OR in Balboa.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jun 2 at 2015 2:25 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:25:00 -0400

If I were 20 years younger, sure.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jun 2 at 2015 2:25 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:25:32 -0400

If I were 20 years younger, sure

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jun 2 at 2015 2:27 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:27:35 -0400

If I were 20 years younger, sure

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 2 at 2015 2:28 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:28:26 -0400

@CH (CPT) William Beaver I have enough education. Can I get my money back on my Law degree?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:34:41 -0400

I'm only a thesis away from my MA in Military History, concentration WWII, at AMU. Given the all expense paid option, I would go and complete the War Since 1945 MA in Military History. I have truly enjoyed every single course in my WWII study, and have seen the courses and descriptions for the other degree, and find them intriguing as well.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 2 at 2015 2:39 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:39:53 -0400

PhD in Econometrics. It is bizarre and proves there is an answer for everything provided you have time to labor on

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:43:35 -0400

Criminal Justice and Criminal Psychology. I am in the idea that to better understand why criminals come about and do what they do, then the possibility of preventing/reducing criminal behavior can be achieved.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:47 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:47:12 -0400

Knowing what I know now? Probably agriculture and/or a degree in beer science.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:48 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:48:49 -0400

Just FYI there are a lot of military friendly schools that you can obtain a Master's from all expenses paid. Once you factor in Military TA and the benefits that the schools offer.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 2 at 2015 3:11 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:11:29 -0400

Comparative Middle Renaissance Basket Weaving at the PHD level .. in Tuscany

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jun 2 at 2015 3:13 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:13:22 -0400

Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Call it a fall back plan.

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Jun 2 at 2015 3:34 PM

MSgt Rob Weston — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:34:38 -0400

Using my GI bill now for an Advance a degree in Clinical Counseling

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 2 at 2015 3:36 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:36:18 -0400

Philosophy

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 2 at 2015 3:46 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:46:47 -0400

If I could get in to a school, I'd go for Physician's Assistant. Great money, job openings anywhere in the US, and considerably less classroom time than a MD or DO.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 4:09 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:09:06 -0400

Engineering Space Physics, it was my first major, I couldn't afford it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 2 at 2015 4:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:10:35 -0400

Nothing, I don't like taking tests.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 2 at 2015 4:16 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:16:14 -0400

If the would, Oh My, For and Old Dude, Rhodes Scholarship back to London where I was stationed to Study History. That Would be Heaven on Earth.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Jun 2 at 2015 5:10 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:10:27 -0400

Inter-species communication.
Mentored by John C Lilly

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 2 at 2015 5:11 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:11:23 -0400

Veterinary Medicine

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 10:12 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 22:12:37 -0400

I would finally get my law degree. And I would specialize in family law so I could help fathers fight for equal rights to their children. I've seen so many dads who just want to be dads, but the women want to cut them out of the picture, and the courts help them do it. I almost went to law school after active duty, but didn't want to uproot my family to go, and then again after I was done.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 12:16 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:16:32 -0400

Astronautics with a side/minor of aerospace engineering. All expenses paid means I get the extra time to really learn the material, right? I'll need that extra time....

Response by SGT James Allen made Jun 3 at 2015 12:56 PM

SGT James Allen — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:56:25 -0400

I want whatever degree this guy has.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 7:35 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 19:35:27 -0400

management. There are so many people who are put into management positions and they know NOTHING about leadership or having leadership skills.

Response by SPC Maurice Dawson, D.Sc. made Jun 4 at 2015 1:39 PM

SPC Maurice Dawson, D.Sc. — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:39:52 -0400

Cyber security or Business Intelligence (BI) as that is where the highest salaries are at. See http://www.businessinsider.com/14-highest-paying-tech-jobs-in-2015-2015-2 as a place to get started in selecting a major. Myself I got a MBA and MS in Management in Information Systems Security. MBA was received after my computer science doctorate just to display I wasn't only technical and in the future to teach in the business school.

Dr. Dawson

14 tech jobs that pay over $90,000 right now

There's no question the tech industry pays well and can't hire fast enough. 2015 is no exception.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 4:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:31:54 -0400

Brewmaster degree (fermentatology)

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 4 at 2015 4:39 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:39:37 -0400

Easy M.D

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 4:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:51:57 -0400

I would like to go to chiropractics or some form of aviation technology, I am 50% through on my BS in Organizational Security and Management now.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jun 9 at 2015 9:00 PM

SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 21:00:21 -0400

I received that offer because my wife worked at Trevecca Nazarene University and I could get a free Master's degree. I chose a Masters of Science in Management (MSM). Can't go wrong with business and management. I was going for the MBA, but received a nice promotion with SSA with the MSM.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 9 at 2015 9:15 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 21:15:00 -0400

I'd go for a PhD in National Security Policy....

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Jun 29 at 2015 12:39 AM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:39:40 -0400

Have a MPA non profit management and am CDC 1 (drug alc counselor) but would focus on issues chronic illness and mental health also staff retention.

Response by CPL S Gibbs made Jun 29 at 2015 12:08 PM

CPL S Gibbs — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:08:21 -0400

Business or economics

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 1:41 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:41:45 -0500

If *I* wasn't the one paying for it, I'd definitely look into Law School. Sure, there are SCORES of unemployed lawyers, but if I didn't have all of the debt from Law School, I'd be more than happy to take up several cases, pro bono, to try to help people that REALLY need it.

Response by SPC David S. made Nov 3 at 2015 1:52 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:52:29 -0500

Medical degree or a PhD in physics.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Nov 7 at 2015 9:42 AM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 09:42:10 -0500

at this point I would pick a topic that is purely of interest to me. As opposed to one in my current field. In other words, I would be looking to expand my mind and not my career potential.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 29 at 2016 3:27 AM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 03:27:22 -0500

Dairy value added products food science (Cheese making, Fermented and cultured dairy products, soap making etc.)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 12:20 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:20:17 -0500

MBA in Entrepreneurship or Operational Management at a Top 10 School.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 4:07 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 16:07:25 -0500

I would ask for four years, and then spend it taking only the classes I needed to load up on certs I'd never gotten before. I'd get my A+, Network+, CCNA, CCNP, Get an MCSE in SQL Server 2016 and a couple of others, and get certified in Data Science.