I was an assistant recorder on the...2008(?) line CDR board. Back then I heard "Master's degree will break you out", but I'd say at best it was a tie breaker. I know things have changed, but it was all about movement "up and to the right", and breaking out from the pack just as you come in zone (with hard tough jobs). Not to discourage anybody, but it was certainly NOT a silver bullet to O-5 (again, several years ago).
You can skip the Master's and still break out. Just negatively.