2nd Bachelors vs. Masters w/License?

[socalguy]

Hi all, been lurking for a while soaking up everything I can. Currently I am about a year out from getting my bachelors in geography from a SoCal school. I want to move into the maritime industry, but I'm not sure which degree option would be most versatile/valuable. On one hand I like CMA's MT degree for being in CA and in-state tuition. On the other hand there's SUNY's masters degree w/license program. While a masters degree is attractive, I wonder how valued this degree is in the industry. From those who've gone through the SUNY M.S. program, what are your thoughts on it? Has it been a benefit to your career? Is it favored for sea going positions or shore side? Long term prospects? If you were in my position looking at a second bachelors from CMA with in-state tuition, or the masters from SUNY what would you do? Any other advice? I greatly appreciate any responses!

edit: mods, feel free to move this if it should go elsewhere...

[brjones]

Of you are looking to sail then a degree doesn't really make a difference. It's the license that counts. Might as well save money by staying instate. CMA offers some sort of masters now. Not sure in what. I just read about it recently

[Capt. Phoenix]

When you go shore side a masters degree could very well be a benefit. Even going for a captain spot on unlimited ships, you might benefit from a masters degree.

The other thing to think about is financial aid. You cannot get financial aid for a second bachelors degree; you must be going for a degree higher than what you currently have. If you will need financial aid you should seriously consider the masters degree.

[New3M]

I have a Master's from Schuyler with along with the license (got that with my Bachelors). I can't say that the Master's helped me get a shipping job, but if I worked in HR and saw that on a resume, it would be a plus. I don't know how much of a plus, but it can't hurt.

I think it will absolutely help for a shore-side job, which is why I decided to get it. I doubt I'll sail forever, and when you come ashore, every bit helps.

Any questions feel free to ask or PM - I can probably answer most of them about Schuyler.

[emxer]

I have a Master's degree and a license. The Masters has never done anything for me. I really wish I would have put the money into further maritime training/upgrading instead of an advanced degree.

[Capt. Phoenix]

I have a Master's degree and a license. The Masters has never done anything for me. I really wish I would have put the money into further maritime training/upgrading instead of an advanced degree.

I wish I had a masters degree but can't get one while sailing and can't afford to take the time off or away from home (for any of the maritime business degrees) to get one. If you need to go to school anyway for the license, get the masters while you are there.

[socalguy]

Thanks all for the input so far. Some good points were brought up. At this point it sounds like the masters w/license is a better way to go. For those who've gone the academy route, is there anything you would recommend doing before attending?

[Jemplayer]

I wish I had a masters degree but can't get one while sailing and can't afford to take the time off or away from home (for any of the maritime business degrees) to get one. If you need to go to school anyway for the license, get the masters while you are there.

Have you looked at any of the online schools? If your vessel has internet should be easy to do. I know that the Peoples University has some stuff related to transportation.

[Capt. Phoenix]

Have you looked at any of the online schools? If your vessel has internet should be easy to do. I know that the Peoples University has some stuff related to transportation.

I'm looking into it. My internet at work is iffy so I am worried about missing deadlines.

[New3M]

SUNY's program can be done entirely online. I don't know if doing it with a full-time job on board with sketchy internet is a good idea though. Plus it's pretty fast paced.

[socalguy]

New3M, check your PMs when you get a chance.

[Capt. Phoenix]

SUNY's program can be done entirely online. I don't know if doing it with a full-time job on board with sketchy internet is a good idea though. Plus it's pretty fast paced.

Really? I did not know any academy offered an online option. You would figure a maritime academy would work with your work schedule. Maybe I will email them and ask.

[wmoser]

http://www.amc.edu.au/distance-education

The Australian maritime college has an MBA targeted for seafarers. I would think they might be more forgiving with a shoddy Internet connection.

[New3M]

Really? I did not know any academy offered an online option. You would figure a maritime academy would work with your work schedule. Maybe I will email them and ask.

It's done during the regular semester of the school, but the online classes are 7 weeks instead of 14. So I suppose if you're off time works out like that you could do it.

[cappy208]

IMHO, if you are intending to stay in the Merchant Marine shipping end of things, then the advanced degree won't help you much.

However, if you have ANY glimmer of thought you may want to branch out into shoreside jobs later, get the degree now while you are young. You would hate to 'kick yourself' in the ass later if you didn't do it now.

[jdcavo]

SUNY's program can be done entirely online. I don't know if doing it with a full-time job on board with sketchy internet is a good idea though. Plus it's pretty fast paced.

I am pretty sure you can't take the 3rd mate/graduate program online, only the master's degree program. See http://www.sunymaritime.edu/Admissio...ate/index.aspx and note "[t]he License option is not available online." The license option involves taking the same courses as the undergraduate cadets, being part of the reginment of cadets (remain calm, c.captain) so it's not possible to do it on-line.

[New3M]

I am pretty sure you can't take the 3rd mate/graduate program online, only the master's degree program. See http://www.sunymaritime.edu/Admissio...ate/index.aspx and note "[t]he License option is not available online." The license option involves taking the same courses as the undergraduate cadets, being part of the reginment of cadets (remain calm, c.captain) so it's not possible to do it on-line.

You're right - my apologies. I was referring to just the Master's program by itself. If you want to do the license option, you have to be on campus to do it.

[Capt. Phoenix]

You're right - my apologies. I was referring to just the Master's program by itself. If you want to do the license option, you have to be on campus to do it.

I knew what you meant...

[New3M]

I knew what you meant...

I sort of figured you did, but now everybody else does too!

[salriv985]

I got my masters through SUNY and the license and the B.S. from there as well. I am currently sailing as a C/M but i can tell you right off the bat just having the Masters on my resume it has opened any door that i wanted shoreside. Ive been offere great opportunities. Now i can tell you first hand that me and a classmate same sailing experience same jobs everything we both applied for the same job and i was offered it over him. Youre wasting your time getting a 2nd Bachelors