Posted on Jul 26, 2015
Would two years be too long to wait to start my Masters after completing my Bachelors?
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Education
Master's Degree
Education Master's Degree
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 66
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Not at all. I waited (quickly does math....) 18 years between completing my BA and starting my first Master's. True, I picked up a couple AA's in the meantime, but they were really more in the realm of vocational training.
The main thing is to do it when you are both motivated and can commit the time to completion.
The main thing is to do it when you are both motivated and can commit the time to completion.
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CW4 (Join to see)
Good point Sir, make sure that you are ready to engage in a Masters Program. Motivation and time management. With all of my work and personal obligations, I usually don't start any reading or homework until 11:00. I'm not complaining though. My family and work come first.
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SrA Daniel Hunter
COL Vincent Stoneking I agree Sir. I waited just over two years between my BA and MPA. No problem. As you and MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht point out, it is a commitment. 3 credits of undergrad workload is not the same as 3 credits of graduate workload. The time to devote to the task is what will matter.
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LCDR (Join to see)
SSG, Think of it as running a marathon. It doesn't matter how long it takes --- just as soon as you commit to FINISHING and don't half-azz it. It's taken me @4 yrs to finish an advanced degree due to many moves and a deployment, but the important part is finishing.
When you are ready to commit, DO IT! Good luck.
When you are ready to commit, DO IT! Good luck.
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Don't wait...take one or two classes a semester to lighten your load and still enjoy life. If you wait, it will get harder to get back into it and life doesn't wait for you to catch your breath. Once you're done, you're done and will never worry about it again. You may come across an opportunity for promotion or employment that requires you to have the degree; you will kick yourself for missing out on it because you did not finish or were close to finish. It is a huge relief and self-motivator to know that you got it done and can look forward to achieving others instead of worrying about where to fit your degree in.
Good luck with your degree! Keep those grades up!
Good luck with your degree! Keep those grades up!
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
Hey Capt. I was half way through my MBA and got promoted to Career Broadning ASSG. Gone 3 years. had to get a waivver to get back to my old school. Wright States Sucks!! Came back and finished with Dr Tollee and Dr Fisher.
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Most people can find it very difficult to return to school if they take more than a year between degrees. Work and family obligations can be a big factor.
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SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz
Give yourself a little bit of a break but not too much; not more than a year.
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SFC (Join to see)
I think that as long as I get a BREAK then I will be good. But I have literally been pounding the books for the last few years. My "break" that I am about to take for the next couple of weeks is because I am heading to Recruiting School and then I am hitting the books there. Then in my 5-6th week there I will pick up my next to last class. So I will be doing both but at the last of the ARC it is not as book heavy. I am just ready to not be as tied to class for a little bit. Good advice though
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SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz
I went right through with it, no breaks. This is my last semester for the bachelors degree. I should be done by the beginning of September.
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I finished my BA in 1999 and my Masters in 2014....though we didn't have this new fan-dangled technology thing with everything being online. But, if the ball is rolling, you may not want to stop. If the family concurrs. I spent 2.5 years hiding in my room studying, and I missed out on some things, but I was home, with my family. Time managment is super important between family, work and school. But if "I" can do it anyone can do it....really!!!!!
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nope. Would provide some intermediate real world experience to bring into the fray
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SFC (Join to see)
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Look at where you are, what you want to accomplish and them make a plan and stick to it. Is two years too long? Yes, then start sooner. No, then start in two years...or four or never...what is right for you?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Look at where you are, what you want to accomplish and them make a plan and stick to it. Is two years too long? Yes, then start sooner. No, then start in two years...or four or never...what is right for you?
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LCpl Dan McTiernan
Keep in mind what you expect to do with your degree(s). Typically, a targeted masters degree has employers looking for 5 years experience. Also keep in mind the very high percentage of people graduating with Masters Degrees that end up starting their own business which may make you less attractive to corporate employers. What is typically required for the field your are interested in?
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree MSG, I just don't want to get too relaxed, at the same time I want the information that I have gained to be "fresh enough" (sometimes my TBI makes all that a mute point), and then there is the recruiting mission that I will have to answer to when I get back from school. So you are right. I just have to balance all of that, plus ohh yeah my family. Seems like a lot sometimes.
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I don't think so. I didn't begin on my Masters until seven years after my Bachelors. It gave me time to have more life experiences which gave me certain advantages when I went back into the classroom. I'm a big advocate for "life-long" learning. One day, I will go back for my doctorate, but I feel I still need more time to experience life so that I can bring some real "meat" into my studies instead of just theories. I'm not quite there yet, but one day.
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It depends on what is at stake and what is realistic. For me the best option was to continue right on from one to the other, but it had been 10 years since I first entered college, I was married, and didn't want my momentum to die. I figured that if I were to wait before going to grad school, I'd never do it... and I think I was right.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
Ha, A Nun once asked me how long has it been since I was in High School. Now body was even close to that age, Crap, I was in the wrong class. Be careful what you bring to the table. The Masters is much better. More diversity, more sense, more dedication. school is like your career. hey, I did 4 now I am going 8, ETC. First thing you know you reached your goal AND HAVE TO SET ANOTHER ONE,
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I wouldn't think so - It might actually be a good thing to catch a little breather, spend time with family and just recharge the batteries before you go back for a masters. If you just got your bachelors reward yourself - However reengaging in for a masters can be tough - "I'll do it this fall" turns into "I'll do it next year" and so on. Set a date and stick to it as there will always be stuff that gets in the way. Best of luck in you academic endeavors!
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LCpl Dan McTiernan
Keep in mind if your direction is corporate, typical corporate targeted college recruiting programs requiring masters degrees look for candidates with 5 years experience. Experience is an added value, not always required but often a decision point for hiring managers.
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SFC (Join to see)
LCpl McTiernan Yeah that is going to be a problem (the experience part) minus the remaining 7 years I have in the military...so I am not sure how all of that will balance out. Good advice about the setting the date thought SPC Stephenson
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SPC David S.
Very good point indeed SFC (Join to see) Yes many schools require work experience. Mine required 5 years of work related experience to even apply.
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