Getting two different master's degree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and implications of pursuing two master's degrees simultaneously, specifically in physics and electrical engineering. Participants explore the potential benefits, challenges, and personal experiences related to this academic path.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their plan to finish their bachelor's degree and apply for a master's in electrical engineering while simultaneously pursuing a master's in physics, citing funding challenges for international students.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of entering a physics master's program without a physics undergraduate degree, suggesting it may be more difficult for someone with an engineering background lacking sufficient physics coursework.
  • A participant clarifies their academic background, indicating they are studying physics with an interdisciplinary focus that includes engineering courses.
  • One participant expresses support for the dual master's pursuit, deeming it reasonable.
  • Another participant shares their personal experience of holding two master's degrees in different fields, indicating they see no harm in such an academic path.
  • A participant expresses optimism about the potential advantages of having dual master's degrees when applying for jobs or further studies, highlighting the academic experience gained from a thesis-based physics program.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the practicality and benefits of pursuing two master's degrees. Some support the idea, while others raise concerns about the challenges involved, particularly regarding admissions and coursework requirements.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential difficulties related to funding for international students and the prerequisites for entering a physics master's program, indicating that these factors could influence the decision-making process.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering dual master's degrees, particularly in STEM fields, as well as those interested in the implications of interdisciplinary studies and funding challenges for international graduate students.

wukunlin
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So here is my situation:
I'm planning to finish my final bachelor/honour's year next year (2012) and I plan to apply for grad school (electrical engineering)in US (looking at UT Austin at the moment). The final exams/presentations should finish at mid november, results should come out early november. If things don't change much, deadline at UT's ECE department for registration is at 15th of December so in theory I can submit everything just before the deadline assuming I can get the reference letter somewhen mid year.

or I can have 1.5 year gap doing... nothing (except for stuff like self study and whatever work I can find locally with my honours)

And I realized, in my university I should only take one more year to get masters in physics, with way better chances of getting funded for it (I just found out the level of difficulty of getting money to study in US as international student...)

So basically I can take my time applying for US (electrical engineering) grad schools in 2013, while getting my (physics) masters degree at the same time and save up more money.

Would this be a good idea?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
some thought:
Are you a Physics undergrad ?

If not, then have you thought about admission into the physics programme or if you had spoken with admission committee ?

Also if you're from engineering background and if you didn't have any Physics BSc courses, then the master's degree shall be no easy, and it might take more than one year.
 
strictly speaking I'm a student of the physics department but I'm doing an interdisciplinary study for my bacholor's involving physics courses and ECE courses (roughly 40% in upper division)
 
Then I'd say go for it, sounds reasonable.
 
I have two Master's degrees. Civil and Economics. I see no harm.
 
Awesome, hopefully this will be some sort of advantage when applying for jobs or the engineering grad school.

I guess the least I can gain from this is the experience in academia, since physics masters in my college is solely on thesis.
 

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