How many degrees is enough?

1. Jan 6, 2009

Astronuc

Staff Emeritus
or What to do after a BS in Physics.

Education - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin

Dr. Griffin holds seven degrees, and is pursuing his eighth. In chronological order of attainment, Dr. Griffin's degrees include:

Code (Text):
BS     1971    Physics                              Johns Hopkins University
MS     1974    Aerospace Science                    The Catholic University of America
PhD    1977    Aerospace Engineering                University of Maryland, College Park
MEng   1979    Electrical Engineering               University of Southern California
MS     1983    Applied Physics                      Johns Hopkins University
MEng   1998    Civil Engineering                    The George Washington University
Dr. Griffin was also working toward an MS in computer science at Johns Hopkins University before being appointed as NASA chief. He has worked at the Jet Propulsion Lab and APL. Dr. Griffin has been a professor at various universities, teaching courses in spacecraft design, applied mathematics, guidance and navigation, compressible flow, computational fluid dynamics, spacecraft altitude control, astrodynamics, and introductory aerospace engineering. He is the lead author of more than two dozen technical papers, and is co-author with James R. French of the graduate astronautical engineering textbook, "Space Vehicle Design." ISBN 1-56347-539-1 Dr. Griffin is also a general aviation flight instructor and pilot, and part-owner of a small airplane.

Dr. Griffin official bio - http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/griffin_bio.html

Work diligently.

2. Jan 6, 2009

physics girl phd

1) Why would you go back and get degrees in related fields after getting a Ph.D.? (i.e. I can understand the MBA... but why the MS degrees in other fields of engineering?) I understand they are in different fields of engineering... but still... it seems mildly cheap.

2) Isn't this the same guy whose wife started a petition for him to stay as NASA chief? (Sweet. Did he try to keep taking classes to avoid his home life?)

3) I'm still mildly peeved that my sister (with two BS's, an MS, a Ph.D. and an MD) has 1 more degree than me (note only my BS and Ph.D. are in the same field... physics, I have intermediate degrees in engineering and education... so I think I'm not double-dipping in the same field too much). I should have taken that one dumb 500-level introductory math methods course I skipped in my Ph.D. program; it was required for the meaningless intermediate master's in physics (but not the Ph.D.), and it would have tied me with her! Should I go get a law degree? Probably. If not for the esteem then for the \$. I'll wait til we settle ourselves at some uni with a good program and good tuition waivers for spouses.

3. Jan 6, 2009

Jammin_James

Wow...

Are these type of people super geniuses that get paid to go to college?

4. Jan 6, 2009

TMFKAN64

It's actually a form of mental illness.

(I say that as someone with a mild case... I'll get my fourth degree this spring.)

5. Jan 6, 2009

Astronuc

Staff Emeritus
I believe it was a colleague who started the petition, but apparenly Griffin's wife has asked Obama to retain her husband.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/KeepMike/index.html
Apparently the petition was started by Scott "Doc" Horowitz

6. Jan 6, 2009

arunma

You know, I've always thought that after I get my physics PhD, I might just avoid the real world by going to med school after bouncing around in a couple of postdocs. Now I have a role model!

7. Jan 8, 2009

streeters

He went to some pretty hardcore Catholic universities.

8. Jan 8, 2009

physics girl phd

So I guess there's not just a Protestant work ethic, eh?

9. Jan 8, 2009

j93

For his age that is not that many papers. Im assuming hes slightly above 24 pubs. He doesnt have any focus. Going to get another MEng is like playing an rpg all over after you beat it, I dont see the point.

10. Jan 8, 2009

stewartcs

Maybe the guy just has a desire for knowledge. Perhaps it is his hobby.

CS

11. Jan 8, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
Perhaps, but once you have earned that Ph.D. you should be able to learn anything you want by self-study.

12. Jan 8, 2009

j93

I agree. I thought the point of a PhD was to show specialization in a field you hopefully would work in therefore it makes sense for universities to provide grants for study. Somebody should calculate the amount of grant money that must have been used in the process of granting that many degrees.

13. Jan 8, 2009

jhicks

Please tell me she got double credit for most of that coursework/research between the PhD and MD

14. Jan 8, 2009

stewartcs

Who says you need a Ph.D to learn by self-study?

CS

15. Jan 8, 2009

stewartcs

How do you know he received a grant?

CS

16. Jan 8, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
Nobody that I'm aware of. It's not necessary, but it is sufficient.

17. Jan 9, 2009

j93

I would hope he received some type of funding that wasnt loans. Unless he used loans to pay somebody was investing with either the intent of creating a new professional in the field that is granting the advanced degree or I guess in this case to get exposure by being another notch for this person but in the latter case universities should just award more honorary degrees if they want exposure.

18. Jan 9, 2009

TMFKAN64

Perhaps, but it's still easier to do it in a classroom setting. It imposes a certain discipline and keeps you making steady progress. On your own, it's too easy to get bogged down on one detail or another at the expense of the larger picture.

19. Jan 9, 2009

Mihael

Well, I have noticed Dr.Griffin education background years ago...
There's one thing I can't get it.. what is the currently Guinness World Records for "who held the most academic titles"?

20. Jan 9, 2009

stewartcs

Plus you have an official record of your accomplishment.

CS

21. Jan 9, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
If this were true, there would be no need for an official record.

22. Jan 9, 2009

stewartcs

I didn't imply there was a need for an official record for a hobby or desire. There is no causal relationship between the two. He doesn't necessarily need an official record for a hobby or desire to learn. However, one may certainly be obtained during his education.

CS

Last edited: Jan 9, 2009
23. Jan 9, 2009

streeters

This guy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_M._Hesburgh

He was a professor and priest at University of Notre Dame.
Over 150 degrees (most of them honorary).

24. Jan 9, 2009

Mihael

How many degrees is enough?
Answer: You should get enough >150 degrees to break that awesome record!!:yuck:

25. Jan 11, 2009

ice109

while self study is efficient it is much more enjoyable to study while in a formal class.