Should I pursue a Post- Grad Diploma at the same time as my Masters?

[screamorange]

Hey guys,

I have been accepted into a masters program, for which I am really excited. However, I found out about this diploma program at a local college, it has coop as well. It is related to my masters program and I think the MSc degree+ diploma+ coop work experience will help me in my intended career. Do you think I should pursue the diploma program and grad school at the same time? I was looking at my first semester schedule for grad school and I have Tuesdays and Fridays off, so maybe I can manage to take classes at the local college? Any suggestions would help.

[bdexicon]

Are you doing a thesis for your MS? I don't know what Capacity Development is, but it sounds like a bad idea. What if your other semesters aren't as clear and you can only complete half of one program?

[bedalia]

Tuesday and Fridays aren't "off" just because there is no class - that's when you're to be reading, doing research and writing.

I think most people find it hard enough to keep up with the workload of a Master's program without adding a diploma+coop to the mix.

[TakeruK]

A MSc degree is generally a full time thing -- I probably spend 50-60 hours per week doing "work" (reading, classes, TA, seminars, homework, research). When you do a co-op program with the local college, wouldn't that be a full time job too (all my previous co-op work experience were pretty much 9-5 monday to friday).

In addition, as a graduate student, you would want to take advantage of doing things like meeting visitors to the department in your field, go to conferences, etc. If you're not around, or have other commitments (e.g. 2nd program) then this would be hard to do. Sure, they are not necessary for your degree, but these are good opportunities for you and trying to do 2 programs at once might mean you don't get as much out of either program as you might like.

Finally, for a lot of schools, you must be registered on full-time status and for some schools, in order to count as full time status, you must not be attending any other schools. So you should also check with both programs if you are really interested in doing this.

However, why not do your MSc first and then do the diploma program afterwards? You would get formal training with your MSc and then supplement that with work experience afterwards!

[new_to_kin]

I did a grad dip at the same time as my Masters, however it was at the same school and designed to be undertaken at the same time as the Masters. It meant that I had either a full course load or a light overload each semester, plus a lot more homework and internships etc. It was a fantastic experience, but I don't think it's a good idea to do unless both courses will work. For instance, I was able to count some of my elective Masters credits towards the dip.

[screamorange]

awesome advice everyone! thank you ..........i guess two programs will be too much...so i will focus on my masters for now