Double Masters

[Michael]

Hi,

I'm anticipated to complete my Bachelor of Engineering (Computer
Engineering) by the end of the year. After graduation, I will continue my
study and undertake Masters of Information Technology, which consists of one
year of full-time coursework and a small component of research. Now, I'm
thinking of undertaking another Masters degree in the same field by
researching for one year after my Masters of IT. Here is my question, is
double Masters in the same field recommended? How do employers look at
double Masters in the same field? Is it worth it? I don't really want to
undertake a PhD program, due to its lengthy term etc.. So, would double
Masters be viewed as somewhere near the middle between Masters and PhD?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers,
Michael

[Randy]

Post by Michael
Hi,
I'm anticipated to complete my Bachelor of Engineering (Computer
Engineering) by the end of the year. After graduation, I will continue my
study and undertake Masters of Information Technology, which consists of one
year of full-time coursework and a small component of research. Now, I'm
thinking of undertaking another Masters degree in the same field by
researching for one year after my Masters of IT. Here is my question, is
double Masters in the same field recommended? How do employers look at
double Masters in the same field? Is it worth it? I don't really want to
undertake a PhD program, due to its lengthy term etc.. So, would double
Masters be viewed as somewhere near the middle between Masters and PhD?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Cheers,
Michael

Degrees do exist that lie between the MS and PhD (e.g. professional degree), but
they're not widely recognized by employers, and they're really not recognized at
all by academia. In effect, they simply indicate that you took more survey
courses and generalized more than the average MS recipient. From what I've
seen, few employers will prefer a double MS over a single MS from a good school
(especially if your MS included an interesting thesis), and none will see them
as anywhere equal to a PhD, even a PhD from a poor school.

A more useful approach might be two MS degrees in different subjects, showing
that you mastered two domains as opposed to being more broadly qualified in one.
In the IT arena, a second degree in business might be ideal, but another
degree in accounting, management, public policy, industrial engineering, etc
would be of more value, IMHO.

Frankly, I'd regard a double master's in any subject as a clear waste of
everyone's time. It would tell me two things:

1) The student didn't have the ability or persistence to finish their PhD
dissertation, since that's basically all that would remain after two MS degrees
of coursework.

2) Any school that is willing to grant dual MS degrees is strange, and not in a
good way. They want your money and they're willing to do dumb things (like
grant a second identical degree) to get it.

Randy