Masters degree during flight school?

[CumminsPilot]

I'm beginning to look into working on my Masters. I'm planning on doing an online program (this one from UW is what I'm looking at right now http://www.engr.washington.edu/edge/aeroastro.html ) and it will most likely be in Aerospace Engineering (same as my Bachelors).

Being a good student, do any of you think it'd be possible to pull off both working on my Masters AND doing flight school? If not, when do Naval Aviators (Marines in particular) find time to get their Masters? At what point in their career would it be something to start looking at? I realize I would have zero life if trying to do it while doing primary/advanced/RAG, but if I reach my end goal because of it, so be it.

 

[efn1221]

I'm beginning to look into working on my Masters. I'm planning on doing an online program (this one from UW is what I'm looking at right now http://www.engr.washington.edu/edge/aeroastro.html ) and it will most likely be in Aerospace Engineering (same as my Bachelors).

Being a good student, do any of you think it'd be possible to pull off both working on my Masters AND doing flight school? If not, when do Naval Aviators (Marines in particular) find time to get their Masters? At what point in their career would it be something to start looking at? I realize I would have zero life if trying to do it while doing primary/advanced/RAG, but if I reach my end goal because of it, so be it.

I hear A Pool is a six month wait now. I have three classes left for my Masters. I'm hoping to knock it out then. Personally, I think you are insane to do both simultaneously. I'm doing mine online and spend about an hour and a half a night doing work with at least one 5 page paper do per week. Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

[D_Rob]

If you can do it on your own time completely it could be done. That is you choose when the tests are and papers are due. There are times when you will be very busy for a fortnight, there will also be times when you will have plenty of free time for a week. Will you know this ahead of time? No. But if you have a paper due or a test on a certain day but you also have to create four jet logs and study your EPs, you aren't going to do to well on your Diff Eq test.

I thought about trying to get my masters at the same time, but it's probably just not worth it. If you do know for sure you have a six month wait, then go for it. But while you are an SNA, your job is to be an SNA, and the Navy pays you pretty well do it.

<-- More advice from yet another 'salty' SNA

 

[mmx1]

It's a stupid idea. Most folks do it on the flip side of their first fleet tour at their B-billet.

That said, I did it. I waited 7 months for IFS, so I took 6 credits while in IFS/A-Pool, on top of my stash job. Two extensions later, it spilled over into IFS and API, and I got away with it (i.e. without detriment on my performance - I've been using TA so my chain of command's signed off on it). Not knowing what to expect, I put it on hold for Primary, and ended up pretty bored and unhappy. Not any the wiser, and expecting a three month stash for Advanced, I signed up for another three credits in Advanced pool......and ended up working on the class through most of Advanced.

If you really want to do this, know what your priorities are. Before I started I promised myself I'd never let my self-inflicted extracurriculars detract from flight school, because I have no intention of explaining that I got a pink sheet because I was busy studying XYZ. Flight school's come first, and I've been ready to drop the class like a rock if it ever threatened to get in the way.

When my stash job (at LEAD) went from PT Marines, teach a class, go to the beach and drink beer, to a 0600-1700 gig, I upheld my responsibilities, let my homework deadlines slip, pleaded for an extension, and my professors were understanding. Same in Advanced when RI's came around and I didn't have time for anything but sims, INAV problems, and sleep. I can drop the class or get an extension - I did the latter and pondered the former. I haven't yet finished a class without extensions but the school I'm attending has a large military student body and the profs (many retired military) have been pretty understanding.

I justify it because I'm a dork and I'd be doing the reading anyway; the class helps me focus and makes me think and write about the same material, and I honestly enjoy it, so it's a net positive for my psyche. Don't attempt it if it'll just be another stressor. I also don't know how the engineering classes would work, and suspect they'd be harder and less flexible than my history classes. I just read 2-4 hours a week, got online and argued (erm, discussed politely) with my classmates (I think I spent less time on there than AW, to be honest), and wrote 500 or 1000 words for an assignment here and there. Somewhere in 4 months I found the time to research and write 3000 words. Honestly, I don't think I could have handled much more than that.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Dumbest idea I have heard in a long time. Get your masters, but for the love of God, wait until you have your wings. If nothing else, you will miss out on a lot of flight school (the "experience", ya know?) by being busy during all of your off-time. Additionally, how much energy do you think you will have left for doing quality schoolwork and study after a long day of study/flying? It's hot as hell in these airplanes, and especially in advanced, you will likely have 2 events a day in a lot of cases. On average I spend at least 8 hours every day I am scheduled at work, if not 10-12 on busier days. There is absolutely no way I would come home after that, shower off all the sweat, and still do more homework. Yes you will have random bouts of time off, often several days at a time or more, but not regularly enough to plan school around. Also, flight schedules generally throughout the training commands don't come out until 5-6 pm, so don't even think about planning the coming day until then. It sucks, but that is the way it is....

 

[bunk22]

As a more senior aviator, it's bad idea. You want to be Naval Aviator? Your one priority in flight school is flight school. If you have down time prior, have at it. Post flight school and FRS, have at it. During flight school, my recommendation is a big no.

 

[BigIron]

As a more senior aviator, it's bad idea. You want to be Naval Aviator? Your one priority in flight school is flight school. If you have down time prior, have at it. Post flight school and FRS, have at it. During flight school, my recommendation is a big no.

Concur with Bunk on this one. However, you're an adult and if you think you can handle it, do it. Never ever ever use your masters program as an excuse for poor performance in flight school.

Recommend you finish it later as well.

 

[CumminsPilot]

sounds like it's a pretty resounding "NO." Guess I'll worry about it a little further down the road. Will probably study-up and take the GRE if I have much of a wait for API though.

 

[HH-60H]

Will probably study-up and take the GRE if I have much of a wait for API though.

Don't forget to get the Navy to pay for it.

 

[CumminsPilot]

Don't forget to get the Navy to pay for it.

Marine Corps? What program would it be?

 

[HH-60H]

Marine Corps? What program would it be?

I'm not sure, but I think the Marine Corps is covered under this too:
http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/examinations/gre.htm

 

[Godspeed]

Sounds like those with the experience on here say "no". I think it is also a bad idea while you are in training. However, I had two bouts of time, one between API and Primary, and one between Primary and Advanced that I really think would've been better spent pursuing some sort of Masters degree.

I checked into advanced and they told me up front, you'll be waiting for at least six months. I searched for an online program that would let me knock out just one quarter or semester, but couldn't find one that I liked. Had I found one, I would've taken it up in a heartbeat (again, while not in training).

As for while in training, you'd really have to be a glutton for punishment to endure classes on top of flight school. Furthermore, you wouldn't be able to adhere to any regimented online program (one that has scheduled tests and exams or lectures). You will be in ground school until 10PM on some days. You will be up at 4AM on days (including weekends)... Some days you will be flying until 11PM (including weekends), some days you will have only one event, some days three events. You will go on cross countries scheduled for 3 days, but get stuck and come back 6 days later. You will get thrown on a detachment the day before and be gone for 2 weeks.

All or some of this will happen to you, and this in my mind automatically rules out most online masters programs; most of them have some sort of regiment that must be adhered to.

Skeds has absolutely no sympathy (nor compassion) for the fresh Ensign having scheduling conflicts. Test this theory, and you will be crucified with the worst watches and 0530 briefs.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Dear lord....haven't you guys had enough college for a while (and I mean the un-"glamorous" academic part)? I'm no old salt either, but it doesn't take much common sense to know that right now your focus should be becoming competent at your ACTUAL JOB.....you know, the one that you went to college to one day do?.......

 

[Old R.O.]

There actually was a program in the '70 where an SNA went through the pipeline and at the same time picked up a masters degree in a technical field (I believe that it was aerospace engineering... at least that was one choice)

It didn't last long. A couple of guys I knew went through it and said was insanely stressful.

 

[CumminsPilot]

Dear lord....haven't you guys had enough college for a while (and I mean the un-"glamorous" academic part)? I'm no old salt either, but it doesn't take much common sense to know that right now your focus should be becoming competent at your ACTUAL JOB.....you know, the one that you went to college to one day do?.......

I graduated college in spring of '05...I miss academia. I'm good at it, and enjoy learning, especially in the discipline of aero engineering. I was very competent at my "actual job" that I went to college to one day do, and did that for 4 years. I agree that my focus should now be on re-learning to fly the SNA way, but if it were possible to have the time to better myself and further my future with my Masters while doing that also, then why wouldn't I? It appears from everyone's opinions that it isn't.