What's the advantage of having a Master's degree?

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 13:44:40 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2019 1:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 13:49:16 -0500

Depends on the degree?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 30 at 2019 1:49 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 13:49:51 -0500

It really depends on what your Masters is in, and how successfully you can leverage it. I recently got an MBA, which--if you play the odds--should provide a significant career boost with commensurate remuneration over having just a Bachelors. Odds are anyway. Hasn't happened yet though, so it would be premature to say what value beyond the intrinsic, my Masters has, so I guess we'll see.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 30 at 2019 3:14 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 15:14:19 -0500

Your question answered with questions:
- is a masters degree required to be competitive in your preferred field?
- which type of degree?
- what is your motivation for pursuing the masters? Personal or,professional?
- are your earnings (professional reasons) going to make the degree worthwhile? What is your simple pay back?

The answers to those tells you whether or not it's an advantage

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 30 at 2019 8:01 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 20:01:13 -0500

In what MOS, is it required or just good to have. Does the MA fit into your MOS or not. During getting the MA did your stay competitive with your peers? Didn't miss deployments, schooling (Army style) etc. When I was in, having a advanced degree could get you a 2nd look, if all other things were equal, but it was not a trophy winner.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 31 at 2019 12:02 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 00:02:34 -0500

Nothing...if you can't or won't use it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 31 at 2019 9:21 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 09:21:34 -0500

Actually for me, it was a two edged sword. Personal motivation was to obtain something that couldn't be taken away. Expected result when your first look to O-4 was 15% promote. But I was sane enough to get one in something that would help me do better work in my career path. However, the people that mattered couldn't relate to the degree although they really liked my work product. In the end, this stuff is only worthwhile if you do it for yourself. That and I'm officially bipolar now with rugs from both UCLA and USC. Always win the last game of the season.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 11:45 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:45:17 -0500

At one time, a master's degree was better suited for professionals that had been in the industry for a while. Students would learn as much from the other people in the class as they did from the class itself. Like others here have said, though, it depends on what you do with it.

Response by SrA John Monette made Dec 31 at 2019 12:17 PM

SrA John Monette — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:17:03 -0500

job opportunities, pay