Would it be possible?

[karamelutza]

Hi!

I am already accepted for PhD in Electrical Engineering at a good US university with Fulbright scholarship.

I was just wondering if it is possible to attend both a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts in Education at the same university simultaneously. Can a normal person working really really hard be able to fulfill the requirements for the both degrees?? (taking into consideration that the PhD would last like 5-6 years and the MA only 2-3).

If yes, when it would be the best time to start the MA? I was thinking like one year after starting the PhD. During the first year I will have time to adapt, to prepare for the Screening exam and to find a research advisor.

Any suggestions about my crazy idea would be very helpful.

Thanks and good luck with your decisions!

[Squawker]

What is the point of pursuing the MA, when you will already be pursuing a higher degree?

[mudlark]

I know that my school actively forbids doing two different programs at once. The reasoning is that you're in a full time program, and they're supporting you, so they expect you to use the bulk of your time working on that program. Two full time programs at once means that neither is getting your full attention. You can check with your school about the regulations.

[karamelutza]

The MA will be in Education, a different field of study than the PhD, which is in Electrical Engineering.

The MA will be really valuable for me when I come back in my home country, because I don't want to be only a scientist/ professor, but I also want to get involved in shaping the education policy, stuff related to university administration, etc. A MA in Educational Leadership is not offered in my country, so it will be great to have both a PhD in Electrical Engineering and such an MA.

But since I am not familiar with the educational environment in US, I am just curious how hard will be to fulfill the requirements for both degrees? Is it impossible for a hardworking person? Has anybody tried something similar?

Thanks.

[appliqed]

Can you get your degree with "emphasis in education" through your school's new media institute? Not exactly what you want but I know at least Berkeley New Media Center (interdisciplinary, not a degree program) offers that option for PhD student in CS, EE, art, education, etc.

Edited April 8, 2010 by appliqed

[so47]

It would be very difficult to do, and as mudlark mentioned, some schools will prohibit you from doing it. And before you worry about time constraints, be aware that even if you ARE permitted to do it, you will almost definitely have to pay for the MA out of pocket. Your Fulbright covers your PhD in EE, they are in no way obliged to pay for you to take classes for a separate degree in a completely different field.

[georgica2]

Hi!

I am already accepted for PhD in Electrical Engineering at a good US university with Fulbright scholarship.

I was just wondering if it is possible to attend both a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts in Education at the same university simultaneously. Can a normal person working really really hard be able to fulfill the requirements for the both degrees?? (taking into consideration that the PhD would last like 5-6 years and the MA only 2-3).

If yes, when it would be the best time to start the MA? I was thinking like one year after starting the PhD. During the first year I will have time to adapt, to prepare for the Screening exam and to find a research advisor.

Any suggestions about my crazy idea would be very helpful.

Thanks and good luck with your decisions!

It would be nearly impossible to pursue the degrees simultaneously. Both are presumably full time programs (surely the PhD is, at least) and even if you were able to find a university willing to allow it (highly unlikely) the workload would be ridiculous, especially since they're totally different fields with completely different requirements, tracks, etc. Remember, virtually all PhD programs and many MA programs require students to maintain a pretty high GPA to stay in the program -- in all likelihood, you'd end up failing out of one of the programs.

However, I have heard of PhD students who, after finishing their course requirements and proceeding to the dissertation stage, take some sort of a leave from the PhD program to pursue another degree in a different subject -- ie, I know a handful of PhD students in the social sciences and philosophy who have pursued Law degrees mid-PhD. They DON'T try and do both at the same time, though (unless the school has some sort of formal dual degree program, which I'm guessing there isn't since you're asking.) However, not all universities will allow this (and many won't allow you to be enrolled in multiple programs at once.)

[karamelutza]

Thank you for all your replies! It was just an idea and anyway, I have to focus my energy to finish the PhD.

Good luck with your research projects!