Master's Degree

[Dgpr]

I'm currently running an aviation program at a small college. I have a Bachelors degree in Aviation from way back, but because I'm teaching Bachelors level students, my employer is pushing me to get a Masters Degree.. and I have ZERO interest in doing so.
I've got 28 years of line flying experience, 13k hours. They're not buying my argument that my ATP + 4 type ratings = a "Masters degree in Aviation".
Has anyone else gone through this? I can get an MBA through my college, but I've looked at the classes and have little interest in the subject's covered.. I'm not sure whether to look at a Masters in Education (which I think is pretty rigorous), or whether to look at an online college with more Aviation oriented courses. The other issue is $$. Like many of us in the industry, my income is nothing like what I thought it would be, so from what I know of ERAU and other prestigious schools, their Masters are probably out of reach $-wise.
If you've gone through this yourself, I'd love to hear how it turned out.

 

[jhwk0309]

As far as costs, has your employer indicated that they would help? Heck my brother-in-law who is a firefighter gets $1,200/yr for school and his degree isn't even needed. I think ERAU online is costing around $1,500 a class now and it probably takes about 11/12 classes to finish. Don't know what your budget is...

 

[cynic]

Not to sound like a giant condescending jerk off (which I am actually) but perhaps change your attitude.

You do not in fact have academic credentials. You have certificates which do represent experience and skills but they are not academic credentials.

You'll probably enjoy a Masters program and if you are going to get an MS pick something you will get something out of. Perhaps Meteorology? Maybe you enjoy history? I think you will find the experience rewarding if you pick a topic you enjoy and horrible if you take a 'whats the cheapest easiest I can do' approach.

 

[earhart]

Not to sound like a giant condescending jerk off (which I am actually) but perhaps change your attitude.

You do not in fact have academic credentials. You have certificates which do represent experience and skills but they are not academic credentials.

You'll probably enjoy a Masters program and if you are going to get an MS pick something you will get something out of. Perhaps Meteorology? Maybe you enjoy history? I think you will find the experience rewarding if you pick a topic you enjoy and horrible if you take a 'whats the cheapest easiest I can do' approach.

I hate to agree with Cynic- mainly because he has consistently been an awful lover (in my mind). But try and concentrate on what you enjoy (no, Cynic, not anal sex- it was always anal sex with you; uuurrrggghhh!)

 

[cynic]

I hate to agree with Cynic- mainly because he has consistently been an awful lover (in my mind). But try and concentrate on what you enjoy (no, Cynic, not anal sex- it was always anal sex with you; uuurrrggghhh!)

earhart... you know I always said you can't say non-consensual without sensual so stop complaining.

 

[earhart]

earhart... you know I always said you can't say non-consensual without sensual so stop complaining.

Cynic- I love the way you interfere with logic; me; and the neighbors' girl who eats paste.

 

[pilotyip]

Getting a Master's is pretty easy to do, I knocked mind off in two years while working full time as a pilot. I would recommend getting one in business, what you learn is applicable almost anywhere. Lots of places offer them. I did my at an off campus site from Central Michigan University.

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm a former junior college adjutant lecturer. Colleges care a lot about credentials because it affects their accreditation. If you intend to stay in academic education you need to bite the bullet and get some kind of graduate degree.

 

[Dgpr]

Thanks for all the input, and no offense taken by the direct and good advice.

Deep down I have to agree with those of you who are saying, basically, "shut up and do it, it will be good for you". I'm an old dog, hesitant/resistant to learn new tricks. But then I thought "what if a pilot job came along requiring a new type rating?". I'd jump at that! So I'm working on taking the same attitude about this.

ERAU Worldwide (online classes) is about $500 per credit, so the $1500 per class was spot on. 36 credits for the degree that looks good to me.. now I'm off to find out from my employer how much of that they'll chip in.

 

[acpilot]

If "they" are paying for it, get an MBA from a tier one school. This is a no-brainer.

Good luck.

 

[jdubya]

I'm sure you know by now that the academic types live in another world. Number of degrees and books or papers published equates to accomplishment in their minds. I just don't put a lot of value in most of the pHd's at the Universities not actively teaching and writing all the time. It is a bubble about to burst at some point with the cost of education and what they are paid.

I would think you have some leverage in this deal to get them to pay for it or some of the costs anyway.

Of course the graduate degree won't mean a lot in the aviation world depending on what you are doing. Staying at your deal long term, sure, but airline wise or outside of the academic world, it will help but not make a huge difference. Maybe it would push you over the edge at the mainline interview but you'll still get the interview without it with your experience. So on one hand you could go the quickest route to get it done, or an MBA which would have more value.

I think the Master of Education has not a lot of value outside of where you are now. The MBA is a good backup and has value in my opinion.

The classes are a pain and yes boring, but you would have no problem.

I have a Master of Education. The hardest part was working a full time job while doing it, but it was over pretty quick.

 

[cynic]

I'm sure you know by now that the academic types live in another world. Number of degrees and books or papers published equates to accomplishment in their minds. I just don't put a lot of value in most of the pHd's at the Universities not actively teaching and writing all the time. It is a bubble about to burst at some point with the cost of education and what they are paid.

Yeah... we are just building complex models to accurately forecast long term weather, building 3-d images of protein structures using cryo electron microscopes that will be used to build better heart medications and of course as a total waste of time, we allow physicists to use our facilities to build models of the early universe using data from the LHC.

Of course these guys just went to school and studied topics like phylogenetics or physics for 10 extra years because there is a 'bubble' in education.

None of what they are doing is as hard as taking off in a jet, raising the gear, updating the FMS or changing radio frequencies. That's complicated stuff.

I also know the write papers to make themselves feel good.

You sir are an AWESOME member of society and I can't wait to see what great innovations come from you that will make the world a better place.

/sarcasm

 

[jdubya]

good points...I stand by mine

 

[pcab]

Check out American Public University, National and Regionally accredited.
Lots of Masters programs, $12k.

 

[coonass]

Delta State down in mississippi have aviation master programs online and is a whole lot cheaper then ERAU.

 

[IBNAV8R]

OK, so the OP is running a program at a small college. The college, no doubt, sells the story that a person needs academic credentials to be competitive. Yet, he then eschews the merits of having academic credentials normal for that level instruction.

Frankly, I'm surprised that they would hire someone with "only" a bachelors - no matter what your experience.

 

[Dgpr]

The situation at my college is sort of unique, for reasons I won't elaborate on. I found out after I was hired that I was the highest qualified person they interviewed, but the other two they looked at had flying jobs and when given an offer they turned it down. I was facing a furlough, so I took the gig.
The only mention of a Masters degree during my interview was the question of whether I would ever consider getting one. My answer was that I would if I thought it would be beneficial to what I was trying to accomplish. They made no mention about it being part of their accreditation, and I, being ignorant of what goes on behind the scenes at a college, had no idea it would be so important. Once my year one review came with the "action plan" for year two, I was advised "Hey, why don't you start looking at options for your Masters?". As soon as I signed my name on the action plan, it became part of my job requirement. So here I am.
That program at Southern Miss is actually more expensive than ERAU. I can get my MBA in Leadership with my employer for 50% off tuition, but that will still cost me almost 10k. The American Public Univ. option might be my best bet: somewhere in the 12-13k ballpark, and I can get a little more than half that reimbursed by my employer.
It might all be a moot point. Flying is starting to pick up locally and I may be able to get back into the cockpit sooner than later.
Thanks again for all the opinions. The wonder of the internet!!

 

[IBNAV8R]

Do you get tuition remission at other colleges/universities? It's been about 8 years but my MAS at ERAU (extended campus) was about $10K (without remission).

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

If you have an ATP and 4 type ratings, plus a BA/BS, you can do the job just fine. That's the problem, the aviation programs in this country are all out of touch with the real world of aviation. Yes, I know a college program that passed over a guy like you to hire a local high school gym teacher who had just retired with an MS and had his newly obtained CFI. Unfortunately, this is why the graduates of the college aviation programs I have come in contact with no so little. Yes, they know the rote level as they have learned from their "professors" but these graduates have no application level knowledge of such subjects a pressurization, coffin corner, etc.

So I guess you'll have to do it their way and jump through the hoops they put up. Also, I think the Education Masters is the easiest because their is no big paper to write.