Multiple Master's Degrees

[michigan girl]

Does anyone here have more than two master's degrees? Is it a waste of time to achieve another master's degree?

[acup313]

I think very few people get multiple Masters degrees mostly because it usually adds very little value. There are cases where I can see someone getting two, but what would you need the third one for? Are you not happy with the career that you have with one of the first two Master's that you received? I think also some people would think that if you have time to get a Masters in three areas you could probably get a PhD in one. I guess all I am trying to say it is somehwat rare for someone to hold three Masters, but I am sure there are a few people out there who have good reasons for doing so.

[rising_star]

The only reason I can see for getting multiple master's degrees is to facilitate teaching at online universities or community colleges that require a MA and then 18 graduate hours in whatever area. BUT, 18 hours is less than a master's so actually I'm not sure why people have multiple, unless they change fields/programs and their new program requires them to earn one en route to the PhD.

I considered getting a second master's (MS instead of MA) but decided against it because I don't think it would add any value to my credentials within or outside of academia.

[psycholinguist]

I'm probably going to end up with two, but it was sort of an inadvertent result of how things have gone. Did a BA in linguistics with a minor in cognitive science, decided that I needed to establish whether I wanted to do research in the latter, started an MA in it (well, cog-psych, anyway), and immediately began missing linguistics pretty badly. I'm planning to stick it out because it's only a year, it's going fine (it's not hugely exciting, but it's fine), and I want the background in statistics and experimental design; however, I'm reapplying this year for linguistics programs for next autumn, and Canadian ones (including my top choice) require an MA before the PhD. I don't really mind, though.

[pangur-ban]

I'm going to end up with three by the time I'm finished. I have a BA in a foreign language, an MA in an unrelated foreign language, and am working on an MA in linguistics. I'm applying to linguistics PhD programs, most of which give you an MA along the way.

I have a friend who has two terminal MAs in medieval (English) literature and medieval (non-English) literature and is planning on doing a PhD in something related to the two.

So, I suppose some people end up with three MAs, but they're (we're) very indecisive people.

[liszt85]

I'm going to end up with three by the time I'm finished. I have a BA in a foreign language, an MA in an unrelated foreign language, and am working on an MA in linguistics. I'm applying to linguistics PhD programs, most of which give you an MA along the way.

I have a friend who has two terminal MAs in medieval (English) literature and medieval (non-English) literature and is planning on doing a PhD in something related to the two.

So, I suppose some people end up with three MAs, but they're (we're) very indecisive people.

BS+MS in Physics. Currently in a MA/PhD program in Psychology.

[rising_star]

So, I suppose some people end up with three MAs, but they're (we're) very indecisive people.

I briefly entertained the idea of applying for this assistantship for a 3 year dual-master's program. It would've meant that I'd have three master's degrees, two of which would be in related fields. I actually might still apply since the deadline is in January but I doubt my PhD advisor would be happy (plus, it'd mean leaving ABD only to take 2.5 MORE years of coursework).

[green_tea09]

I am in a graduate program right now and one of my classmates is working on this third MA, another classmate has his MA and PhD and is doing an MS. Now that I think about it, I know quite a few people with multiple MA's. Depending on the University, you will sometimes have courses waived if you already hold an MA, and will be able to complete a second MA in a year or so. It seems valuable to get a second MA if you are changing career/academic directions OR if you want to become more specialized in a certain field but don't want to get a PhD for whatever reason.