What are the top benefits of earning a master’s degree?

2020-04-02T11:08:44-04:00

Adding a master’s degree to your resume could help you advance within your current profession or expand your career opportunities. Many master’s programs can be completed in under 2 years and offer concentrations so you can focus on what interests you most.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 2 at 2020 5:00 PM

2020-04-02T17:00:58-04:00

At the most simple level, it opens doors to jobs that might have a requirement for a master’s degree. Also, at one point in the USAF, master’s degrees were a part of promotion board evaluations. Not sure if this is the case today.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 5 at 2020 8:23 PM

2020-04-05T20:23:22-04:00

Improves your qualifications.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 5:17 AM

2020-04-06T05:17:37-04:00

Opens doors.

Response by MSgt Tim Parriah made Apr 6 at 2020 8:45 AM

2020-04-06T08:45:17-04:00

My got my first job after I retired largely because of my MEd. (I went from medical equipment repair to EW.) When i asked the person why i was being offered the job (i was contacted by them from an online job site where i posted my resume) i was told that since i had the master's degree it showed I could effectively communicate, and do critical analysis of doctrine with just a little training. Your experiences may vary, but I can attest that my MEd contributed greatly to my first job after I retired.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 6 at 2020 12:59 PM

2020-04-06T12:59:47-04:00

I have a stepson in the Air Force and he is now an E-9 with over 27 years in and looking forward to his 30 mark. He will be as set for civilian life as he has been for his AF career.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 7:40 PM

2020-04-09T19:40:55-04:00

More employment possibilities.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 9 at 2020 10:23 PM

2020-04-09T22:23:09-04:00

Many Masters programs, especially MBA, are a dime a dozen out in the hiring marketplace. They can compliment what you can do and what your experience is noted to be good at. Some jobs require a specific Masters, but they are not the norm. Education makes a big deal about MEd. Two types of masters programs I'd recommend. First is one that makes you better and the better performance leads to promotions and perhaps other job opportunities. The second one relates to the "Don't pass Go, Don't collect $200". The MEd is like that. It's a filter to screen you from better pay, perhaps tenure, perhaps administrative positions. Bottom line, too many people float around and pick up a MBA and then wonder why nothing has changed. There's a lot of "improve qualifications" statements out there. They only improve if realized. That's why as a former hiring manager, there are so many yawns on application packages. If it isn't a big deal, it won't be treated as such.

Response by SFC Steven Hetletvedt made Apr 12 at 2020 10:41 PM

2020-04-12T22:41:00-04:00

I have 2 masters degrees and working on the third. The jobs I have applied for could of cared less. I didn’t have the experience. But they look good on the wall. Make great conversations starters as well.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Apr 15 at 2020 7:48 PM

2020-04-15T19:48:12-04:00

If you get a Master's Degree when you're young enough to actually used it or receive benefits from it...great!...unlike me, who received a Master's in my late 50s...it turned out to be a "personal accomplishment."

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 4:59 PM

2020-04-18T16:59:21-04:00

It really depends on the Master's Degree. I picked up a Master's Degree in History from James Madison University while a 1LT in 1990. Because I had the MA in History, the US Army designated me a Military Historian in February of 1996. From that point on until I retired in February of 2016 every assignment I had was related to being a Military Historian. Three deployments to Iraq, 1 deployment to Afghanistan, 3 years on the Joint Staff, 2 years at CENTCOM, a deployment to Bosnia, and assignments to the Center of Military History, all duty positions were related to that Master's Degree. That MA literally made the last 20 years of my career and I retired as a Colonel after 30 years.