Can't decide between going for a MS or PhD

[IndyColtsFan]

Be aware that lots of times when you get school funded by work, you are required to stay at the job for a certain amount of time after.

Yes, but it is still a good idea to do it especially if it is completely reimbursed. I made a big mistake not getting an MBA at my last employer as it was 100% paid for and I would've just had to put in 2 or 3 years (don't recall). IU has a nationally ranked part-time MBA program that was minutes from my workplace.

My wife's friend was an idiot and decided to get her MBA with loans rather than take her employer's reimbursement (not sure what % they paid) because she didn't want to get stuck there for 3 years even though we told her she was being stupid. Additionally, she was extremely foolish -- she went to a private, unranked program instead of IU's ranked part-time MBA program which would have been cheaper. Not only is she now in $70K of debt, she is still at the same employer -- nearly 4 years later -- and can't find another job. She also got no raise and has nothing to show for it. I've seen this (no new job and no raise) happen to many MBA graduates in the last few years so that's why I tell anyone thinking about an MBA to make sure their employer picks up the tab for most of it. That way, if it doesn't pay off in the near-term, at least you're just out your own time and not money.

 

[Imp]

I don't get the PhD and bail once you get MS thing. Like I really don't understand the program, not why people do it.

So, you enrol to get a PhD, and once you get far enough, you are awarded a masters, or do they give it to you as a consolation prize?

Personally, I'm doing a Master of Engineering (everyone and their MOTHER has one now - so nothing remarkable), and am thinking about a PhD now. I thought about doing an MBA, but it's a dime a dozen program now. Apparently, it's a watered down BBA according to some.

For the PhD route, it's a huge committment and a lot of time being paid jackshit with no "guarantee" in employment. I've done some research and it looks like a lot of people burn out mid-way (makes it even more prestigious then), and just don't want to do it anymore. Minimum 3 years?

 

[Ricemarine]

I don't get the PhD and bail once you get MS thing. Like I really don't understand the program, not why people do it.

So, you enrol to get a PhD, and once you get far enough, you are awarded a masters, or do they give it to you as a consolation prize?

It's more of a consolation prize, but not a milestone in the Ph.D track (at least for the program at my university). There are people that quit before their final exam because they realized they just didn't like research.

To clarify though, there are two types of masters degree: research and professional. The research track requires people to do a research thesis, and is the appropriate track to take if the student wants to apply for a Ph.D program. To get to the next level however means having a few publications (at least for EE/CS). The professional track is steered towards individuals who are usually getting paid by their employers that have been working in industry for a good amount of time. In this case, the professors automatically assume the individuals don't remember much (if any) of their undergrad education.

 

[GoSharks]

If you are waffling between a MS and PhD, you will not survive a PhD program. You have to be 100% into research and actually pursuing the PhD, otherwise it just won't work.

 

[TecHNooB]

If you are waffling between a MS and PhD, you will not survive a PhD program. You have to be 100% into research and actually pursuing the PhD, otherwise it just won't work.

plenty of ppl have gone through phd programs without being 100% dedicated to research.

 

[Anonemous]

Plenty of people take advantage of the fact that the Ph.D. program is funded meaning you will get basically free tuition and get paid at the same time. There are MS degrees awarded usually after you are 1-2 years into the PhD program. People who planned to only get the MS usually bail at this time usually after all the classes are taken and you are beginning the research portion.

So they get free tuition (+30K or more), a stipend (depends on major), and a free MS degree if they get into the Ph.D. program. There is no penalty for quitting other than the fact that you burned bridges with that school's department. Of course most people don't do this but I have encountered a couple people who bailed after getting their Masters. (And yes they got Industry jobs)

 

[Bignate603]

Be aware that lots of times when you get school funded by work, you are required to stay at the job for a certain amount of time after.

Dependent on the job... If I leave my current job I have to repay whatever tuition they paid for in the last year. However, if you're leaving for another job you can sometimes get your new employer to repay that.

 

[Shawn]

I was originally just going to get my masters in molecular biology but my school was only offering phds at the time, so I applied for phd. I just started my first year of grad school right now, but if I later decide I can't handle it I could still get my masters. What's nice is I get a stipend and my tuition is waved, so it's pretty much a no brainer to go into a phd program. I'm sure I will piss people off if I just get my masters, but I don't really care.

 

[Rumpltzer]

It's funny to read so many postings where people are suggesting you go for a PhD and then take a Masters. In the case of my research advisor, no one ever came in looking for a Masters but my boss asked several people to take their MS and move on. It was his way of firing people.

My experience is that the PhD is what you make of it. You can get a PhD without love of research, and that's fine. As I'm out of school and working with a lot of PhDs, it's clear to me that having a PhD doesn't impede you from being a moron if you're willing to work hard at being a moron.

While I work in a research and development sort of role, most of my classmates who took their PhD do not. I do know some who go on to be profs, but that's rare. Most go into industry. I imagine that they're better than many of their peers, but based even on my own experience at work, having a PhD doesn't guarantee that you're going to be better.


The reason I got a PhD was to open myself up to opportunities. I paid my way through undergrad by doing engineering internships; I worked in an engineering lab even when I was in high schoo, and I had an internship every summer since college freshman. I saw what engineers do; it didn't look interesting. Wait for a problem to occur; go and solve the problem. It was like being a fireman. I wanted more.

The PhD opened me up to more opportunities. I mostly make decisions, I invent stuff, I solve problems, people look to me for good ideas and they trust my opinions. It doesn't surprise me when people come back to me and tell me that I was right. I get the whacky shit assigned to me; people come back months or years after a program kicks off, and tell me that they didn't think there was a prayer of something actually working. It can be fun; it's fun at least a few times a week.

Opportunity.

I'm not saying you need a PhD; clearly, you don't. It just helps you get your foot in the door.

My time as a PhD student was awesome. I loved it. I'm surprised that so many people describe it as a struggle. I think it matters a lot about your research advisor.

 

[iCyborg]

Plenty of people take advantage of the fact that the Ph.D. program is funded meaning you will get basically free tuition and get paid at the same time. There are MS degrees awarded usually after you are 1-2 years into the PhD program. People who planned to only get the MS usually bail at this time usually after all the classes are taken and you are beginning the research portion.

So they get free tuition (+30K or more), a stipend (depends on major), and a free MS degree if they get into the Ph.D. program. There is no penalty for quitting other than the fact that you burned bridges with that school's department. Of course most people don't do this but I have encountered a couple people who bailed after getting their Masters. (And yes they got Industry jobs)

My grad school doesn't have a direct Ph.D. program. I originally planned to go for Ph.D., but after M.Sc. didn't feel like living for another 4-5 years on <$1500/mth R.A. funding, and for univ positions you usually have to do 1-3 years post-doc as well. It was still a tough decision that made me lose some sleep. If I were from a wealthy family, I'd go for it for sure...
On the other hand, the M.Sc. wasn't some part-time course-based program. I had altogether 5 courses in 2 years, and 80+ percent of the time was done on research, including a substantial research thesis. Heck for almost a year I wasn't doing any courses, just research.

Yes, Ph.D. programs at better schools are usually funded, however it's much harder to get accepted, for Masters they'll let in anyone reasonable who is willing to pay the tuition. I think my grad program had min. 3.5/4.0 GPA requirement, and still only like 10% of those who applied were offered a spot. There are no part-time programs either, all assume full-time.

 

[Leros]

?? I know plenty of people that got bumps/increased pay opps for having a MS in computer science.

Seems to be about a $15-20k bump at the entry level from my personal experience. Not sure how much it matters after that.

 

[GoSharks]

plenty of ppl have gone through phd programs without being 100% dedicated to research.

I'm not saying that you have to be dedicated to your research (spending all your time on it). I am saying that you need like and want to do it.

 

[pankajs]

Go for PHD. There is a better carrier after doing it

 

[Sukhoi]

Sorry been out of town without much computer access.

The PhD opened me up to more opportunities. I mostly make decisions, I invent stuff, I solve problems, people look to me for good ideas and they trust my opinions. It doesn't surprise me when people come back to me and tell me that I was right. I get the whacky shit assigned to me; people come back months or years after a program kicks off, and tell me that they didn't think there was a prayer of something actually working. It can be fun; it's fun at least a few times a week.

Yep, that's what I seem to be finding out. I want the opportunities, and I like a R&D environment. Seems like PhD is the way to go, thanks everyone.