Posted on Jul 26, 2015
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Posted in these groups: Graduation cap EducationArmy mil 77 2010 06 23 070609 Master's Degree
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Responses: 66
SFC James Massey
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I say no. It was I received my Bachelor's degree (BBA) in 92'. I started my Masters degree in 2001. I dropped drop right in and picked up on the advanced courses like I had never had a break. I completed my MBA in 2008, yes I know it is a long time but I found I could not handle a full case load while deployed. I had to drop to 2 classes at a time, because with the 16-18 hour days I found I did not have the time to study, do papers, and get enough sleep (4-5 hrs.) for the next days mission. Besides helping me get promoted faster up the ranks, it was still very useful when I got out.
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CWO4 Branch Head
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It depends on whether or not you are going to continue on the same education path. I started my education path leaning toward criminal justice with the idea of spending some time in the Corps, then as a police officer and eventually going into the FBI. that didn't pan out, and once selected for WO, I continued my education and started my MBA 3 years after I finished my BS. So if you are going to continue on the same education path, I would not wait.
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SSgt Vendor Relations
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No, I will be starting my Masters in the Spring, I received my bachelor's degree in 2001.
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Sgt Courtney Swanson
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I don't think so. I finished my BS at UNC in 2009 and worked for about two years before starting my Masters program at the beginning of 2012. Didn't seem to hurt me too badly
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SGT Allison Churchill
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Absolutely not! Ten years passed between when I got my bachelor's and started my master's. For me it was actually perfect timing--when I got my B.S., the internet was just picking up steam and media organizations were just starting to figure out how they were going to work with it.

So when I returned for my master's, there was enough new information in my field that I wasn't just using school as a way to network in New York City. I spend a lot of time with my graduate school alumni group, and there's a really good mix of people who start grad school right after graduating and people who wait a little bit.

Enjoy!
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SFC Gary Fox
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I think it all comes down to personal choice. I have several friends who started their Master's program right after they completed their Bachelor's. I am currently working on my Master's 15 years after completing my Bachelor's.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
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Not at all. But if you have the opportunity to continue go for it.
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It is all up to you. How you're feeling, how much time, energy, etc, you have to do the work, how your finances are, etc.

I got my BS in 1982, my first Masters in 1997. But there are myriads of people who go straight into grad school from getting their BA/BS...

It's totally a judgement call based on your personal priorities.

An additional question, if you have a BA/BS, have you considered a Mustang track? I am amazed at the huge number of personnel who stay enlisted after getting a degree. I know that being an officer isn't for everyone, but it has its advantages (even though it means you have to be a Butter Bar - nearly everyone survives those two years)...
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I am too old for that Sir, came in late to fight a war...
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1px xxx
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Got it - no OCS... If you're interested in becoming an LDO or Warrant, are those still on the table?

If not, it will certainly look good on your SFC package... Good luck...
LCDR Deputy Department Head
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I started my masters 3 years after my bachelors and finished it 5 years later.

Now if you did your bachelors in some technical field, say Physics, and want to do your masters in that same field, then less time is probably better.

If your masters is in a subject you deal with at work, or a general more MBA type, it is less important to start it right away.
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Its going to be a MBA Sir. My degree is BSM- Project Management
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LCDR Deputy Department Head
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In that case two years definitely isn't too long imho
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SSG Lisa Rendina
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I waited 3.
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Was it more difficult you think? I guess without giving a context that is hard to compare with isn't it? I think you know what I mean (hopefully). I worry that 3 would be too long (for me). Then again I read that employers may want it closer to the time that they buy you. Did you find it more difficult? I think that I am pushing it for three years, but then that would put me a lot closer to leaving the Army.
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SSG Lisa Rendina
SSG Lisa Rendina
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Well. It was easy getting started. I was ready and had a very supportive Command. It was a little harder going back after the breaks for the moves and the deployment as I had again gotten used to not having classes. I was fortunate to be able to attend in-classroo classes each of those times though I did the majority of my Masters online. If it is something you really want to do, you find a way to make it work.

I understand wanting to graduate closer to your end of term though. That may be something potential employers take into consideration. How much time do you have remaining?
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I have 7 years
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SSG Lisa Rendina
SSG Lisa Rendina
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I would say go ahead and do it now. If you finish in the typical 2 years great! If it takes you a bit longer then you have the time. Good luck, it will be worth it!
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