08-11-2014, 10:29 AM
My other thread, "Addicted," has inspired me to ask a question regarding PhD's versus obtaining a 2nd Masters. I'm not talking about myself, I'm just curious about what everyone thinks about the general pros and cons. Basically, if you had the choice, would you choose a PhD or another Masters? What is your reason? What are the pros and cons to both choices? Here is what I've come up with:
Getting a PhD -
Pros: highest level of academic achievement, extremely prestigious, beneficial for those who may wish to pursue an academic career, huge personal accomplishment.
Cons: Few available programs for working adults, time-consuming, research-focused (this could be a pro or a con, but for me, taking many classes on how to do research + statistical analysis sounds like a snoozefest)
Getting a 2nd Masters:
Pros: TONS of options worldwide, ability to choose a more "prestigious" university (not important to me, but might be important to someone who feels insecure about having a Big 3 undergrad,) less time consuming
Cons: What does having a few more letters behind your name really do? Not likely to enhance career except under very specific conditions, low ROI, possible lack of friends/family support - for example, everyone is proud of you getting a masters degree, but might think you're crazy or a perpetual student if you go back to school.
Any other thoughts? Would love all opinions even if you would never consider getting either a PhD or a masters.
Getting a PhD -
Pros: highest level of academic achievement, extremely prestigious, beneficial for those who may wish to pursue an academic career, huge personal accomplishment.
Cons: Few available programs for working adults, time-consuming, research-focused (this could be a pro or a con, but for me, taking many classes on how to do research + statistical analysis sounds like a snoozefest)
Getting a 2nd Masters:
Pros: TONS of options worldwide, ability to choose a more "prestigious" university (not important to me, but might be important to someone who feels insecure about having a Big 3 undergrad,) less time consuming
Cons: What does having a few more letters behind your name really do? Not likely to enhance career except under very specific conditions, low ROI, possible lack of friends/family support - for example, everyone is proud of you getting a masters degree, but might think you're crazy or a perpetual student if you go back to school.
Any other thoughts? Would love all opinions even if you would never consider getting either a PhD or a masters.
Regis University, ITESO, Global MBA with a focus in Emerging Markets 4.0 GPA, Dual-university degree (Spanish/English)
ISSA Certified Nutritionist
COSC BS, Business Admin
My BS Credits:
Spanish 80 | Humanities 67 | A & I Lit 72 | Sub Abuse 452 | Bus Ethics 445 | Tech Writ 62 | Math 53 | HTYH 454 | Am. Govt 65 | Env & Humanity 64 | Marketing 65 | Micro 61| Mgmt 63| Org Behavior 65| MIS 446|Computing 432 | BL II 61 | M&B 50 | Finance 411 | Supervision 437| Intro Bus. 439| Law Enforcement 63| SL: Accounting I B | Accounting II C+| Macro A | ECE: Labor Relations A | Capstone: A| FEMA PDS Cert
ISSA Certified Nutritionist
COSC BS, Business Admin
My BS Credits:
Spanish 80 | Humanities 67 | A & I Lit 72 | Sub Abuse 452 | Bus Ethics 445 | Tech Writ 62 | Math 53 | HTYH 454 | Am. Govt 65 | Env & Humanity 64 | Marketing 65 | Micro 61| Mgmt 63| Org Behavior 65| MIS 446|Computing 432 | BL II 61 | M&B 50 | Finance 411 | Supervision 437| Intro Bus. 439| Law Enforcement 63| SL: Accounting I B | Accounting II C+| Macro A | ECE: Labor Relations A | Capstone: A| FEMA PDS Cert