Are Master's Degrees a racket?

[philosophe]

MA programs are often cash cows for universities. Financial aid is minimal or non-existent. A significant percentage of tuition is paid by employers. When that's not the case, students are willing to take on debt for professional advancement. Faculty get a break from immature undergrads, and the university makes money after the undergrad class hours are over.

That said, the value of a master's degree varies by field.

 

[munchausen]

I keep reading this thread title as "Are Masters Degrees Racist?"

 

[Spats]

Originally Posted by eg1

I completed my Master's in 8 months.

Oh yeah, well I got mine without learning a damn thing.

 

[celery]

Originally Posted by Spats

Oh yeah, well I got mine without learning a damn thing.

So did everyone else.

 

[runofthedill]

I'm about to complete my masters in accounting and I must say that if you have a job offer its not worth it at all. Many people in accounting, well the better students, have offers already before their senior years in college. I was not one of those people so the only reason I got a masters was because I wanted to go to a better school to get recruited by companies I didn't see in my undergrad and I got that experience. However, I ended up Big 4 and they could give a crap that I have my masters but it did give me the opportunity to talk to companies I didnt get to. It really depends on your field.

 

[RSS]

The worth of a master's degree depends on two things in my book.

1. The effort you put into getting one.
2. The school awarding it.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by RSS

The worth of a master's degree depends on two things in my book.

1. The effort you put into getting one.
2. The school awarding it.

I would actually put the networking possibilities above both of those...but given that it is a good school.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by Fraiche

I would actually put the networking possibilities above both of those...but given that it is a good school.
If you play your cards right ... you can "network" with those you meet while working on a BA ... or better still, those you knew in prep school (or before).