Masters or Certificates in the US?

[sarpk]

Hi all,

First of all, I am studying a 3 year bachelor degree in Australia which is not equivalent to 4 year US undergrad degree.

 

I talked with a friend of mine who lives in the US, he discourages me to study Masters Degree over in the US as if you do masters there it would be only necessary to become an academics.

My intention is to find a start up company before I go to US and work there while I am studying( I prefer study to be a distance education) and once I graduate, they can sponsor me for an H1B. By the way I would like to study Computer Science.

Now I heard that there is something called CPT and you can work as many hours you can if it is part of your degree. Now I am a bit undecided whether if I should study one year Postgraduate certificate or Masters degree.

Any ideas or recommendations?

Edited December 11, 2013 by sarpk

[hj2012]

Do you have other work experience and/or a stellar resume? It's pretty difficult to get sponsorship for an H1B....

 

For CPT, usually (though not always) you are required to complete a year of full-time study before you become eligible. Also, CPT is generally part-time (20 hrs/week or less) unless it's during a vacation period. 

 

Someone else could probably tell you more about the utility of a compsci degree in industry.

[sarpk]

Do you have other work experience and/or a stellar resume? It's pretty difficult to get sponsorship for an H1B....

 

For CPT, usually (though not always) you are required to complete a year of full-time study before you become eligible. Also, CPT is generally part-time (20 hrs/week or less) unless it's during a vacation period. 

 

Someone else could probably tell you more about the utility of a compsci degree in industry.

Well, what I am saying is I will already find an employer who would want to sponsor me for an H1B visa, that's not a problem(if I cannot then I wouldn't do any of the rest)

[hj2012]

If you find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for an H1B visa, then everything else becomes incidental. You cannot do a CPT or an OPT as an H1B visa holder (CPT/OPT are primarily educational programs geared toward F1 visa holders).

 

I also know that many American universities require three years+honours in order to qualify for admission. You'll have to look carefully at your options.

[sarpk]

If you find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for an H1B visa, then everything else becomes incidental. You cannot do a CPT or an OPT as an H1B visa holder (CPT/OPT are primarily educational programs geared toward F1 visa holders).

 

I also know that many American universities require three years+honours in order to qualify for admission. You'll have to look carefully at your options.

I will not be able to get an H1B as I don't have a 4 year undergraduate degree(yes that is required for H1B visa)

So I will be either holding J1 or F1 visa.

So my question is, considering that I did arrange a company to work with and will be getting J1 or F1 visa, should I enroll to master's degrees or postgraduate certificate?

[hj2012]

If you don't have a 4-year undergraduate degree, I doubt you're qualified for most master's degrees. In that case, a certificate program would probably be best if you're dying to come to the U.S.

 

However, I don't really know why you're so dead-set on coming to the U.S. if there's no chance whatsoever you can qualify for an H1B. 

[Snglo-Aaxon]

You don't need an H1B for entry into the States. Australians and New Zealanders can apply for special visa entries (I forget what it is called) where you are allowed to work and live in the US for one year without needing a job to begin with. I was informed of this visa by a US official when I visited the US consulate earlier this year.

 

A three-year undergrad degree in Australasia may suffice for US Masters but an honours component to that degree is ideal.

 

Above all, get advice from the US consulate in Australia.  

 

 

If you don't have a 4-year undergraduate degree, I doubt you're qualified for most master's degrees. In that case, a certificate program would probably be best if you're dying to come to the U.S.

 

However, I don't really know why you're so dead-set on coming to the U.S. if there's no chance whatsoever you can qualify for an H1B. 

Edited December 28, 2013 by Snglo-Aaxon