Underwhelmed by MSc Program - Switch Out?

[Buffalofan4255]

I began my MSc a month ago in an interdisciplinary field - sustainability management. I came in out of undergrad as a triple major in fields very much related, and form the basis, of sustainability. I understand that I'm only 1 month into the program so far, but from what I've been hearing, all of the MSc courses are very theoretical, not very applied. Sure, we have case studies, a capstone, co-op, and research dissertation, but the content has not been anything new. In fact it's the mere sliver of what undergrad was like, just with bigger papers and more projects to work on. 

 

Should I get out of the program? I'm at a good uni, top 20 globally, but I came in expecting to get practioner-level skills...and so far I'm just learning theory.

 

[eeee1923]

I would at least finish your first semester before considering leaving - especially since you're not struggling academically. 

[RunnerGrad]

I wouldn't give up after just one month.

If your master's program is anything like mine, you have to get through the theory first, before you get to the practitioner-level skills you are looking for.

We were told that we needed to do all the basic theory first to make sure that everyone was on the same page.

I often felt like some of the courses in my first year were a complete waste of time - as I can done more, and covered things in greater depth, in undergrad.  Fortunately I had some courses that introduced new topics, taught me new skills, and actually seemed like real, graduate-level courses.  Now in second year, I'm finding all my courses are challenging, teaching me new things (or covering topics I was introduced to in undergrad, but now in greater detail), and requiring a LOT more work.

Do you have the opportunity to take many electives in your program?  I've found my electives to be some of the more interesting and stimulating courses, as I can choose to explore something new, or something that I want to learn more about.  UofT has SO many departments, with all kinds of interesting courses being offered.  It can be hard to find them, though, as you have to go to each department's individual site to find out what courses they offer that are open to students in other programs.