Posted on Jan 3, 2014
USASMA: Should individuals receive a masters degree upon successful graduation?
28.8K
50
32
4
4
0
<p>Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think individuals receive a degree upon graduating from USASMA. Do you think they should? If so, what level and what type of degree? </p><p><br></p><p>There are loads of officer educational programs that are available for officers to continue their education and obtain higher degrees. Why not for SGM/CSM? Please all USASMA grads weigh in on this. </p><p><br></p><p>My personal take on this is that USASMA graduates should be accredited with a Masters degree, but I'm having a little difficulty deciding which specialty. I would lean towards a masters in human services counseling, specifically military resilience. Could possibly took at political science or business administration, I'm just not too sure.</p><p><br></p><p>I believe the USASMA course was restructured to allow Sergeants Major to graduate with a degree, but it just allows the individual to work on their individual study while taking the course. Once again, please correct me if I'm wrong.</p><p><br></p>
Posted in these groups: 
Education
Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
1
1
0
I completely agree with you, Officers walk away from the Staff college with a Masters and I can tell you that's it much easier that the current SMA , I have been attending for a year now and it lets a masters seems easy. I have look at my BC work and much easier than what I have to deal with for sure. Business Administration would be the best route to go with this.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
By time someone makes CSM they should have earned a Bachelors degree. Have more than enough time. My MOS almost mandates a degree to make SGM.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Hmmmm... How many years does one spend in USASMA and what do they learn that would constitute an accredited degree?
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
A Masters Degree? Really? Not just no. But absolutely not. I can understand military schools like truck driving or the tech jobs counting towards trade certificates. Suggesting any military school is worth anything more than info for legitimate universities to consider for credits on a JST is a joke. It's not real academics... not comparable. People need to stop fooling themselves.
Want a degree? Attend a University taught by real teachers, with credentials and real curriculums. I applaud anyone who pursues an education, but the reality is, military schools are not comparable and anyone who's attended a real college knows that.
I shiver every time someone suggests this.
Want a degree? Attend a University taught by real teachers, with credentials and real curriculums. I applaud anyone who pursues an education, but the reality is, military schools are not comparable and anyone who's attended a real college knows that.
I shiver every time someone suggests this.
(0)
(0)
MSG Bobby Ewing
So you say suggesting any military school is worth anything more than info for legitimate universities to consider for credits on a JST is a joke. Let me ask you this. All schools associated with GoArmyEd with real teachers, with credentials and real curriculums, offer college credit for military training, schools, etc towards degrees. This is left up to school/institution to decide what and how much credit is given. As you may know, most credits are towards elective credit hours anyway. Are you against that as well?
Now, I have not attended SMAC, but maybe will in the near future. The knowledge I have from the course is second-hand knowledge from peers and superiors that have attended and instructed there, along with online research.
I will have a my masters completed by Feb 2021, pending how the pandemic effects our way of life. So I have no personal gain from this if a masters or any kind of degree was offered. This post, is coming from a stand point of, what areas can the Army improve to benefit Senior NCOs upon retirement and get education opportunities on par with officers. Officers have multiple school options that greatly benefit them after service. Most of these schools are PCS moves. They have been accredited by Universities/Institutions where they receive a degree, equivalent, to what the school taught. Since this is an old post, the SMAC is now given credit towards a bachelors degree, with a major in leadership and workforce development from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Thank you for your reply. Interested in another response and continued dialog.
v/r
E
Now, I have not attended SMAC, but maybe will in the near future. The knowledge I have from the course is second-hand knowledge from peers and superiors that have attended and instructed there, along with online research.
I will have a my masters completed by Feb 2021, pending how the pandemic effects our way of life. So I have no personal gain from this if a masters or any kind of degree was offered. This post, is coming from a stand point of, what areas can the Army improve to benefit Senior NCOs upon retirement and get education opportunities on par with officers. Officers have multiple school options that greatly benefit them after service. Most of these schools are PCS moves. They have been accredited by Universities/Institutions where they receive a degree, equivalent, to what the school taught. Since this is an old post, the SMAC is now given credit towards a bachelors degree, with a major in leadership and workforce development from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Thank you for your reply. Interested in another response and continued dialog.
v/r
E
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I know officers can complete a few additional courses through Webster University to get a master's from CGSC. I think the credit could count as masters level and maybe like the officer program but not just a degree upon completion.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I can't speak on all WO MOS's, but in maintenance we don't get much for schools either, if anything. We do get certifications in our primary MOS training (ASE/NIMMS), if the whole class is on the same level. <div><br></div><div>The USAF schools are accredited, and the CCAF applies credit to multiple degrees. I believe the Navy is very similar. Why can't the Army just follow the example? </div><div><br></div><div>Some schools will credit various courses, but the school I go to is very strict and hasn't offered any credits for Army schools, only the USAF schools I've been to. At the minimum, some management or elective credits would be nice. </div>
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I entered the Army with my AA and joined as a PFC. While on Active Duty, I attended courses wat Austin Peay and correspondence courses. After eight years and eleven months of service, I had attained the rank of sergeant, E-5 and attended BNCOC. I could have easily re-enlisted and made my E-6. However, I decided to get out and use my G.I. Bill to finish my Bachelor of Science and upon graduation went into the MBA program. I went to work for a defense contractor and their tuition reimbursement program paid for my MBA and second Master of Science in Supply Chain Management. It was all a lot of reading and writing. Just as I earned my stripes through military education and schooling; and earned my degrees through countless hours of classroom time and sacrificing family time still, I believe obtaining a degree should be earned by doing the time and fulfilling requirements established by an educational accredited organization.
(0)
(0)
Maj (Join to see)
I believe his argument is that the in-residence schools officers attend such as Air Command Staff College and Air War College (or service equivalent) are military courses which are accredited regionally, so why doesn't the Ay do the same. These curriculums are based on many civilian business, leadership, and social studies, so it makes sense.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google