I know that Tuition Assistance will only cover a HIGHER degree than the one you already have. Don't know about any others.
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getting another degree
- Thread starter staff03
- Start date
There aren't that many PhD programs, and they currently carry an additional 10 year commitment after completion.
jorgelito
PRO-REC INTEL
Commitment wouldn't be a problem as I intend to make it a career. I'm thinking there may be some way to work in a PhD while on active duty with a lot of luck, good scheduling and the right program. I was wondering if anyone had done it. I think it's possible there is a combination of on-location classes, then some flexibility for completing your master thesis or taking correspondence courses while away from shore or if you are away from you home institution.
EX: Complete OCS, follow on school for Intel.
1. 1st duty station - San Diego, CVN-XX - 24 months, including 6 month sea duty
2. Begin Master's program for International Relations/Middle East Studies at Navy Post Graduate School
3. 2nd duty Station - Pearl Harbor, 18 months, including 2nd 6 month sea duty attached to air wing VFA - XX on CVN - XX. Take classes and prep work for PhD program (continuation of graduate studies at NPS.
I don't know, I'm just making things up. I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about but I figured it would be better to attempt to lay something out to see if anyone else has some experience or can shed light on this subject.
I had a similar question about a Ph.D. when I was doing my masters, and I received the following piece of advice:
The military requires an advanced degree for advancement, and there are many avenues to earn that degree with varying levels of support from the Navy. However, as far as a Ph.D. is concerned, the Navy is not really in NEED of many people with Ph.D.s, so the Ph.D. programs that they fund are almost exclusively for those taking on a billet or career path that they feel requires one. Like so many other things, the needs of the Navy is the core motivation for these programs. Though it would be nice from your perspective to have it, especially once you transfer to First Civ Div, if it doesn't satisfy an operational (or stated career path) requirement, you probably will not be approved for the funding.
However, if you can find the time to do it, there are many research groups that need natural born citizens with a security clearance (due to the nature of the work they do and restrictions on how their research funds can be spent), and they are normally willing to fully fund students with such qualifications. This would definitely be a good option, even after your time in the Navy.
The military requires an advanced degree for advancement, and there are many avenues to earn that degree with varying levels of support from the Navy. However, as far as a Ph.D. is concerned, the Navy is not really in NEED of many people with Ph.D.s, so the Ph.D. programs that they fund are almost exclusively for those taking on a billet or career path that they feel requires one. Like so many other things, the needs of the Navy is the core motivation for these programs. Though it would be nice from your perspective to have it, especially once you transfer to First Civ Div, if it doesn't satisfy an operational (or stated career path) requirement, you probably will not be approved for the funding.
However, if you can find the time to do it, there are many research groups that need natural born citizens with a security clearance (due to the nature of the work they do and restrictions on how their research funds can be spent), and they are normally willing to fully fund students with such qualifications. This would definitely be a good option, even after your time in the Navy.
A shore tour might be a better time than a sea tour but a flying shore tour, especially the first one can be a very busy time. It's possible though. I'm post DH and my shore tour is cake so I'm getting my MS from ERAU with the help of TA. It only covers $750 and it costs $999 for Embry Riddle. Have no clue why it's so high but at least most of it is covered.
Many things are possible, like becoming a SEAL and then a pilot, but you are going to be very hard pressed to find many people who have earned a PhD on active duty unless it was under special circumstances or under a special program. Like the one guy I know who did the SEAL to pilot thing, a Citadel grad no less!
The reason being is that as somebody already pointed out it really is not necessary for most Navy jobs. The only person that I know who is going to get a doctorate is under the active duty professor program at USNA, he is getting his PhD in History on the Navy's dime and going to be a professor for the rest of his career. I know of no other officer (other than medical doctors or scientists) that has gotten a doctorate. That includes the numerous Intel O's that I have known. You might find some reserve DCO's that have some, but they are reservists and nerds anyways, just ask FlyinSpy.
But for your chosen area, Intel, there are plenty of civilians who have the advanced degrees and skills for the specialized work that requires a PhD in the Intel Community. The Navy needs Naval intelligence officers, not someone who has a doctorate in Chinese or Middle Eastern history. You are going to be expected to provide direct support to Navy combat forces regularly throughout your career, reading the tea leaves to discern the thought process of the PRC's ruling clique is not going to be a skill you are going to be called upon in the Navy. It doesn't take a doctorate to be the N2 for a battlegroup and I am not sure I would want one either. I have worked with some of the specialists I described, they are good at what they do but I would not want them to be an AIO, much less an N2 for the BG CO.
So unless you plan on trying to become a professor, and it is a good program form what I have seen, or being a research scientist in uniform (yes, we have a few), then don't realistically plan on getting a doctorate.
Thisguy
Pain-in-the-dick
Why do you want an engineering degree so bad? What designator are you applying for?
Seriously, unless you want to do something like test pilot or lat xfer to the CEC, your degree is irrelevant.
If you're doing this strictly for regret, you'll find you're going to spend a lot of time and money on something that isn't really all that important.
jorgelito
PRO-REC INTEL
Thanks a bunch you guys, for the info, I really appreciate it. Nice summary there Flash, very helpful and exactly what I was looking for.
No doubt is seems like a MA is a requirement these days for advancement. I believe the Navy Postsecondary School does indeed offer a PhD that is Intel related or something, it's relatively new, but I have to double check on it.
I realize everything is pretty much based on needs of the Navy but I just wanted to see what kind of options and career pipeline was out there. I know at some point (20+ years or so), I will eventually have to leave the Navy. I feel like having a PhD will help me in a civilian career. Things I am looking at are: teaching at university, consulting, think tank, maybe DOD or State Department. Something like that anyways.
No doubt is seems like a MA is a requirement these days for advancement. I believe the Navy Postsecondary School does indeed offer a PhD that is Intel related or something, it's relatively new, but I have to double check on it.
I realize everything is pretty much based on needs of the Navy but I just wanted to see what kind of options and career pipeline was out there. I know at some point (20+ years or so), I will eventually have to leave the Navy. I feel like having a PhD will help me in a civilian career. Things I am looking at are: teaching at university, consulting, think tank, maybe DOD or State Department. Something like that anyways.
It is the Navy Postgraduate School. Postsecondary sounds like some after HS program.
Anyway there are lots of Ph.D. programs at the school, but just because the Ph.D. programs exist does not mean that their are slots for officers to attend. NPS serves all the branches and not just military attend. There are a lot of foreign nationals and civilians at the school as well. Most of the Ph.D. students are DoD civilians that have a need for the advanced education. If the navy needs you to get a Ph.D., it will send you. It is just that there are very few jobs in the Navy that require a Ph.D.
There is a Hornet guy out there who did it also. The Citadel guy graduated, enlisted, and was picked up for a pilot slot and OCS. He was not a SEAL Officer. "Get wet and sandy! Hooyah!"
I was accepted as SNA and I want an engineering degree for the reasons you mentioned and also because I would rather be an engineer rather than an economist when I get into the civilian world.
Yeah, I know him, he was a year ahead of me. Just pointing out that while things are possible, they just aren't all that common sometimes.
Yes. But keep in mind, what Flash said is very true wrt the Navy.
For the civilian world, you're basically required to get an MS at some point to get anywhere in engineering, so you'll need it eventually. PhD's are rarely required, and they usually don't get paid as well (because most PhD's just teach).
It would probably take you a similar amount of time to get another BS as it would to get an MS (and 2 undergrad degrees aren't worth much more than one, unless BOTH apply to the job you want, like "Arabic and Foreign Policy"). MS's are much more valuable, and once you have one no one really cares about your BS.
I believe how the accreditation works (someone correct me if I'm wrong) is that they accredit the undergrad equivalent of a program. In other words, to get an MS in engineering means you've met all the requirements for a BS in it as well. So you'd essentially have 3 degrees (2 BS's and an MS).
To answer your question, though... I don't know. Try to get in a Masters program.
Harrier Dude
Living the dream
I know a Marine Officer that got his PhD while he was an NROTC instructor. I have no idea who paid for it or how that was managed, just that he wasn't required to get it for anything that the Marine Corps needed. He did it because he wanted to.