Is a Dual Master's in Electrical and Systems Engineering Worth It?

  • Context: Programs 
  • Thread starter Thread starter YoshiMoshi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Degrees Dual Master
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the value and implications of pursuing a dual master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Systems Engineering. Participants share personal experiences and considerations regarding the financial and professional benefits of obtaining such degrees, particularly in relation to their current employment and educational backgrounds.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Personal experience sharing
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is considering upgrading a graduate certificate in systems engineering to a full master's degree, citing potential advantages in their current role in electrical systems.
  • Another participant questions the structure of class time and homework requirements associated with the additional classes needed for the master's degree.
  • A participant provides details on typical class duration and semester length in the USA, indicating that four additional classes would incur a personal cost of approximately $5,100 after company assistance.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the value of a master's degree, stating they can barely justify pursuing one based on personal desire rather than necessity.
  • Another participant reflects on their experience with a master's degree in electrical engineering, noting that while it was costly, it ultimately helped them secure a job and provided a pay increase.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the worth of obtaining a master's degree, with some seeing clear benefits in terms of job qualification and salary increase, while others question the necessity and value of pursuing further education.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the financial implications and time commitments associated with pursuing additional degrees, but there are no clear resolutions regarding the overall value of a dual master's program.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering advanced degrees in engineering, particularly those weighing the costs and benefits of dual master's programs, may find this discussion relevant.

YoshiMoshi
Messages
233
Reaction score
10
Does anyone here have a masters degree in engineering, and then a second one in systems engineering ?

I'm considering it because I can get help with the costs. I do systems engineering on electrical systems. So I see some possible advantages to getting both. I already have a masters in engineering in electrical engineering and currently working on a graduate certificate in systems engineering. If I were to upgrade the certificate to a full blown masters, it would only be four more classes.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
YoshiMoshi said:
it would only be four more classes.
How many hours of "class time" is a "class".
 
It ranges, but normally about 2 hours 40 minutes a week of actual class, then homework. How much homework you get is dependent on the class.
 
YoshiMoshi said:
2 hours 40 minutes a week
How many weeks? In some places a class is full year, other places 3 months.
 
I'm in the USA, do a class is one semester long about 15 weeks if I recall. Even with my company help, the extra four classes would cost me about $5,100 of my own money (total after taking the extra four classes) I wouldn't directly get paid back for from tuition assistance program at my company.
 
I only have my bachelors degree in electrical engineering... I can barely (forcefully) justify a masters degree just because I want one.
 
Yea a Masters degree, at least for me, in electrical engineering, was barley worth it to me. Cost me $20k of my own money. I had to just get the money back on my investment, and applied to another job, and the fact that I had the degree defiantly helped and qualified me for the job, and gave me a bit of a pay bump.
 

Similar threads

Other Should I Upgrade Graduate Certificate Into Second Masters Degree?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Certificate and Degree in the same field?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Other Master's degree advice to work in the Space Industry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Other Masters in Physics after working in Engineering
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Courses Masters in Civil Engineering with a Bachelor in general engineering
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Programs Is doing a PhD in Engineering Part Time in 8 Years Possible?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Admissions Getting into a top tier Physics PhD Program with a Masters Degree
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
12K
Programs Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Masters online
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Double majoring in electrical engineering and physics
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K