Masters while in the military

[studentcj]

Is there any branch of the military where it is easy to get your masters while still serving. I'm under the impression that unless it's online that there isn't enough free time to get your Masters. I know the needs of the military come first, but is it possible to stay stationed in the U.S. so that I can attend school. This will not change my mind about joining the armed services, I was just curious as to if I would be able to further my education past just my BS.

[marine19860222]

Is there any branch of the military where it is easy to get your masters while still serving. I'm under the impression that unless it's online that there isn't enough free time to get your Masters. I know the needs of the military come first, but is it possible to stay stationed in the U.S. so that I can attend school. This will not change my mind about joining the armed services, I was just curious as to if I would be able to further my education past just my BS.

what do you want to get your masters in? because sometimes if they have an MOS that you could do it will be much better sometimes, i know a guy that has been in for about 9 years and last year he was offered a job working with telecommunications starting at 80000 a year and be a supervisor because he was so well skilled and had high discipline.

[cecilVA]

There isn't a service that will be more suitable for a Masters. All of them will probably support you in doing so in fact most bases (here and overseas) have satelite campuses if you want to take classes. But as you said mission needs come first and depending on whatever you job you might have, that could prove to be difficult. But I've known many fellow junior officers who have gotten masters degrees while on active duty. My roommate, a 1st Lt, just finished his MBA from Auburn through their distance program. So yes it can be done but it isn't easy and takes a couple years at the least.

[oscarmitre]

I think I remember reading somewhere that the University of Maryland has some pretty good programmes that are available to serving US military personnel and can be taken through distance learning programmes. I haven't had anything to do with that University but my postgraduate work was in distance education and I probably came across it while I was doing my research.

If you have no experience with distance education it doesn't matter, one of the bywords in distance education for adults is student support. And if someone asks you how old you'll be when you finish just tell them you'll be the same age as if you'd never started.

[gijoeyl33]

all you have to do is get an MOS where you wont be leaving every other week for deployemnt training and so forth. something in a hospital is usually good

[Smitty]

Don't get a Combat Arms MOS if you wish to pursue Grad School!

I'll say it again....don't!

Yes it's fun blowing stuff up and shooting things...but there will be no time to continute your formal education. I got a grand total of 3 hours during 3 years in the Infantry.

[cecilVA]

University of Maryland, University College is the school I think oscar is referring to. They have TONS of distance programs and cater to the military.

[DltUNH]

I know a few people who worked on the master's while they were in the military. Not online either, depends on the MOS. And in some cases I am almost certain it is essential for you to get an advanced degree in order to continue with your military career.

DLT

[oscarmitre]

University of Maryland, University College is the school I think oscar is referring to. They have TONS of distance programs and cater to the military.

That's the one cecilVA - very impressive programme. After I posted I remembered that this programme - or at least the facility - must have been going for some years. One of the stations I worked at here in my state was at a place called Woomera which is in the far north (outback). Back then the USAF had personnel at a base there (electronic surveillance) and I recall that the Univ of Maryland had an office there.