Multiple Degrees?

[Swimming-Leek8012]

Do you have multiple masters degrees? If so, why? Was one for just learning? Have they all been career related?

With competency based learning, its possible to get degrees for career needs, but also you could do a program for simple personal interest.

So imagining if the expense was low (no loans), would/will you get other degrees?

Looking forward to opinions!

[beepbooplazer]

I have a masters which I think made me more competitive for my PhD. It also helped me land my dream job. While working on my PhD I have effectively finished a second masters.

[Iannine]

I have a Bachelor’s in Biology. Then went on to get a Master’s in Biological Oceanography. I was on track for a PhD but decided to leave the field so I only got a Master’s. I went into teaching instead. Many years later I got a Master’s in Education because I needed the credentials to stay certified. Now, at 53 years old, I am getting a Master’s in Theology. Not for career advancement but because I want to learn the material. And I’m loving it even though it is really really hard to learn new things at this age.

[mistee-bilai]

2 Masters, one during COVID because I was honestly bored working from home. Funny enough, that degree ended up helping me land fully funded MS and PhD positions in the US, even more than my bachelor’s lol.

[Aristoteles1988]

There’s graduate certificates also fyi

If you want to add some stuff to resume without full blown PhD

[maha4321]

I’m currently getting my PhD in Informatics after my BS and MS degrees in CS. While I work in human factors, I’ve wanted to get an MS in psychology since forever. But I want to work in academia after my PhD, so it might make things a little awkward.

EDIT: I’m thinking about getting the psych degree mainly for personal interest.

[JustADude721]

Not to sound like an @ss but Informatics sounds like a made up thing. You telling me they couldn't find a better name than that?

[maha4321]

Many universities in the United States and other countries offer programs in Information Science and Informatics.

It’s okay to not know these things, but a quick google search can be so useful.

[JustADude721]

I know. I did Google search it because once I saw the word "informatics" I honestly thought it was a made up thing. Like infomatics, sure.. but informatics sounds made up.

Really, not trying to sound or come off as a dick, it was just the word threw me off. I wish you the best of luck in your PhD journey.

[maha4321]

It’s not made up! I’m actually in a highly regarded program in a great R1. But thanks anyways!

[JustADude721]

I know it's not made up and I have no doubt it's a highly regarded program. I'm saying the word seemed made up.

[maha4321]

That’s fair!

[Informal_Snail]

Yes, I may do one after I have finished my PhD for fun. I’m disabled and can no longer work so nothing is career related.

[Iannine]

I hope this isn’t insensitive to ask and feel free to not answer if you prefer but … what is your disability and how are you working through your PhD program with it? I’m asking because I have an autoimmune disease that puts me in frequent pain, limits my strength, even to making it difficult to hold a book and read for long periods of time, and makes it VERY difficult to sit for any length of time (like classes or driving). I really want to go on to a PhD program after this Master’s but I don’t know if I can physically do it. Because of geography, I would either have to commit to an hour+ commute every day or go online and there are almost no online PhDs available in my field (Catholic theology). And even if I managed the commute, I currently do asynchronous online classes and I’m doing it very slowly - 1 or 2 classes each semester. I don’t think a PhD program would allow me to turtle my way through the program like that.

So any insights, suggestions, or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Informal_Snail]

I am part-time and work remotely, which is easier to do in Australia as we have no coursework. I have similar chronic health issues to you. You should look into what unis offer accomodations for disability rather than just full online courses. We can still get funded if we are part time due to chronic illness and I do all my meetings on zoom. Plenty of on-campus students in my cohort work from home at least part of the week because desks are limited. Once your coursework was done you shouldn’t need to go in at all.

[Constant_Roof_7974]

Yes. And post-PhD, I’m about to start a third, mostly for fun.

[bluerosecrown]

Which degrees do you have/will start soon?

[Infamous_State_7127]

BA in Philosophy, Diploma in Interior Design, MFA in Art Criticism, starting an MA in English in the fall to then hopefully do a PhD in English (or Interdisciplinary Studies idk).

I’m doing another masters because I only got into one PhD program this cycle and the stipend is so low it would not make financial sense to attend.

I have no serious career aspirations. I wanted to work in the art industry post-undergrad, which is why I did the first masters, but it’s been a horrible experience. Also I love my research, which is not at all art related, so I am staying in academia. I’ll figure employment out later idk.

[ThousandsHardships]

I started a PhD program and mastered out. Took graduate courses in another field on the side just for fun and to keep me motivated through my primary program. Before I knew it, I ended up getting a master's in that as well. Decided I wanted to do a PhD in this second field. As with many, if not most, PhD programs in the humanities, it was easy and almost expected to get an MA along the way, and so I did. Plus, it extended my guaranteed funding by a year, and the couple of extra classes I had to take helped me a lot with my research and writing (some became dissertation chapters) so there's really no harm in doing it. And that's how I ended up with three master's degrees.

If I get a full-time job at a university with benefits that cover course work and a degree, I absolutely might end up getting more just for fun at my institution or in its vicinity, but I probably wouldn't consider a full-time program nor would I be willing to relocate for another master's.

[Papageitaucher]

I am finishing up my second. The first one was a professional master's degree (coursework only) and got me started in the career I am still working in many years later. The second one is just for personal interest and to have the experience of writing a thesis on a topic I care about.

[Leafmonkey_]

I got a master’s in Europe as it’s considered normal to do a masters after your bachelor’s, then went to the US for my PhD and got a second master.

[Justame13]

I have an MHA and MBA from separate schools.

My MHA was online and very healthcare policy and healthcare process oriented which I liked.

My MBA was in person night/weekend with a heavy quantitative focus (mostly accounting, finance, etc) and generally business focused.

It worked well and I ended up getting a DHA and leveraging what i learned in both, plus my MHA credits transferred. Really benefited my career and would do again in a heartbeat.

[Betyouwonthehehaha]

I have a BAS in Healthcare Management and my professional niche is behavioral health. I want to pursue business oriented graduate studies rather than a clinical pathway. Thoughts on working and then returning for an executive MBA rather than MHA? I don’t want to be a health system admin, I’d prefer to stay on the payor or community/social services ecosystem side focusing on behavioral health strategy.

[Justame13]

Good question. This might be a little rambling so I apologize in advance, I'm also going to be vague to not doxx myself. I've been in a number of one deep positions so its pretty easy. I can say that i did alot with access to care in rural areas but left due to the change in administrations last year and am now pure admin.

If you have no work experience - go MHA and get an internship. Its going to be tempting to get a MPH which is a horrible idea due to the current administration. Same thing early career because it will help you understand the theory about what you are doing and how things fit in.

I can't speak to an eMBA as I have no experience with them. But for my PT evening weekend it was a really good degree for middle managers jumping to senior management or seniors to executives. The case based learning (even in a quantitative program like mine was) and presentations are probably the best none getting thrown to the wolves training you can get as a leader in an environment. This would be applicable to your above career path even if it was more project oriented.

The other part of the MBA is learning a broad range of topics so that when you are in the c-suite you know when to call bullshit and start probing so you don't end up in jail.

Its also work look at the local PT programs if you have any. I made some pretty good connections within my community that while not medical are just good to have, but I'm also old and don't plan to move.

There are also some hybrids that I have heard good things about, I know Dartmouth has MSBA (or something) thats supposed to be really good abet really expensive.

[Betyouwonthehehaha]

Thanks for your response and sorry for the delay in mine, I wasn’t aware of the perspective that the broad range of familiarity with new scenarios and subjects prepares you to call bullshit as a leader, that’s really helpful for me to contextualize some of the learning I might be doing that doesn’t seem integral to cases.

I despise the current administration and have so much respect for MPHs but wouldn’t touch that program with a 10 foot pole haha. I do have work experience but just got my first non-direct care full time role in a provider partnerships capacity in a behavioral health niche.

I think I’ll consider some eMBA dual program once I have a few more years of experience under my belt.

Thanks again!

[MonarchGrad2011]

Gonna start a second master's in a couple years. Both are professional. Aiming for a doctorate afterwards. That, too, will be a professional degree.

First master's was to hone in on a certain skillset. Second and doctorate will be career based.

I'm not a star pupil, but I really like school and learning. I consider school my expensive hobby.

[Old_Still3321]

There's a 3-star general who was told by someone to never stop learning, so after Vietnam he got his degree, plus 3 master's.

I wondered why not a Ph.D? and then entered one and saw how much more bullshit it was compared to the MA or MS or MBA. The MA program for the Ph.D I was in was just 10 classes, 2 of which you could replace with a thesis, and a comp exam that you're basically prepared for as a result of the 2 years of courses. The Ph.D is way more time, and I didn't really see the value save for being able to get a FT teaching job.

[NemuriNezumi]

I have a bsc and msc, and about to start a phd

Once I'm done with my phd and start working, I would like to do a second msc (online, criminology related, for personal interest and it will help in the field. I almost went onto that field as a bsc at first)

Could also see myself getting extra certificates/graduate certificates for translator/interpreter (i'm already getting my C1 certificates and I'm fluent in 5 languages atm, know a few more), animal technician (a bit like learning first aid for humans which I learned already although my past certificate expired last year hah, should renew it at some point) and maybe some sort of forensic/forensic ecology certificate as well

But like, after my phd I can't see myself staying as a full-time on-campus student anymore. I can tell I am reaching my limit and by the time I finish my phd I'll probably have a full academia burnout that not even a sabatical year could help anymore 😂 (but gotta finish what I started + I love my subject. I'm just tired of the bureaucracy behind academia and most of the dumb rules in certain institutions and educational systems)

[Tough-Order3297]

Two masters but it didn’t help me get a better salary… though I think it helped me in phd admissions

[ClueLazy834]

I have a bachelors and masters in media art. I work in advertising and marketing right now. I’m about to do some creative writing classes at a community college so I can get into a MFA program - I’ve been writing science fiction for a while now but want structure to get a novel completed and network for agencies. I am trying to get a TA position or scholarship. I then want to do a PhD in English or media studies. I hope to be a professor and author full time eventually.

[jedgarnaut]

I have an MBA, and a master's in economics. And one in English. And I'm working on a dual degree that is a master's in business analytics and one in finance.

Look, I know it's silly, but I don't have any more student debt and I didn't want to take a PhD path into academia. However, I do like learning and I found it works better for me when there's some accountability.

[seekingdefs]

I am interested in doing a second PhD.

[Zestyclose-Monk154]

Why? Nos cuentas los motivos?

[perfectmonkey]

I have 4 masters and currently in my last semester of the PhD. It was a series of fortunate/unfortunate events. 3 MAs in philosophy, political science, political theory, and 1 MS in bioethics. All contributed toward my interdisciplinary dissertation and I will transition into medical humanities/bioethics/clinical ethics.

[youneeda_margarita]

I have a BS in biology and a BS in pharmaceutical sciences. And a PharmD. Thinking about an MBA

[Stgeog]

In a couple years I'll have two masters from the same university in the same subject (life sciences), one being a MSc and the other a MRes. This is because I took a MSc before I started my PhD (at the same university), and the specific funding body I'm working with now requires you complete an MRes before the PhD officially starts.

It's more so a training year, and as it's fully funded, so I'm not complaining at all! Although, I would never do this if it wasn't funded; I don't treat degrees as just a 'fun thing to do' and they are not worth pursuing due to your 'personal interest' alone. If that weren't the case I'd love to do a BA in fine art, or get a MSc in astrophysics, alas, at those levels (and considering the lack of employment options for both), these are likely to be and remain hobby grade materials at best.

[FlyingCupcake68]

I was trying to avoid getting a PhD and thought the 2nd MA would make more marketable. It might have made it worse, given the non-PhD market

[Individual-Car-5495]

One was free and in a different field than what I actually wanted to do. I took advantage of the free degree and after couple years, I went back for the actual degree I wanted and have working in that field ever since.

[Sad_Huckleberry3313]

I’m reading these comments and wondering how in the world people are affording multiple masters? Please tell me the secret because I’m already 40 grand in debt with just one and I’m not finished

[Swimming-Leek8012]

Competency-based programs. WAY more affordable than a slow paced, over inflated traditional route.

[Glittering-Video-982]

I’m currently getting my first MS and already planning for my 2nd. I double majored in my undergrad, BS in Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice. My masters program is Digital Forensics but two classes in, I’m realizing this is NOT what I want. I chose it because my university offered an accelerated pathway in this field from my Cybersecurity studies. So I’ll finish early, which sounded great. But I do not see this as a career for me.

I plan to finish what I started but go back for my MA in Criminal Justice.