Excargodog

^^^This^^^

A pilot getting a master’s degree in commercial aviation as a hedge against problems in his career field is very much like someone putting all his investments in company stock. It creates a single failure point that is tempting fate.

According to Greek mythology, tempting Fates was a bad move.

PotatoChip

Agree to disagree.

There are many valid, useful reasons for it. Go pee in someone else’s Cheerios.

JohnBurke

Agree to disagree, he said, followed by if you don't agree, go away.

Will the dominant personality kindly stand up? (Don't bother: it's rhetorical. I believe we've just seen it).

There's little in academia more useless than a degree in aviation. But a second degree in aviation in laughably useless (much like overhauling a pink Prius).



Mr. Fetzer, why did you seek a degree in aviation?

Well, I was already working as a pilot, and it seemed the easiest, cheapest route.

I see, and what did they teach you?

They taught me what I already knew.

Nothing, then?

Precisely.

Then why did you do it?

I did it to check a box. Now I have a degree.

What does that degree do, Mr. Fetzer?"

It covers a hole in my wall where the plaster fell out.

I see. Would it not have been easier to repair the hole?

Well, they didn't cover that in school, but I can tell you all about the history of agriculture in the lower Mississippi delta, and I can spell it, too. Go on, ask.

That's quite alright, Mr. Fetzer. I appreciate your enthusiasm.

I can do soduku, too. Want to see?

Perhaps later. For now, pleas tell me in your own words how gaining a degree in aviation has made you a better candidate.

I don't end my sentences with a preposition any more, and I stopped spelling council with an 's.'

Very good, Mr. Fetzer. We do have openings in our technical publications department. This is an interview for a pilot position, however. Can you tell me about other training and qualifications you may have?

Sure. I got a masters degree, too.

Excellent. In what discipline did you pursue the masters, then?

Aviation.

Hold on a tic. You got a four year degree in a discipline that you already do that you say taught you what you already know, then pursued another degree in the same thing?

Yep

Pardon my interest, Mr. Fetzer, but was one useless degree not enough for you?

Naw, I'm starting a collection. Baylor has a doctorate in silly putty that I'm interested in. I hope to get a grant to find out how they get newsprint onto the putty, then do a parallel study to see where the picture goes when you mash it up.

You are truly a complex man, Mr. Fetzer. I believe our time here is about up. We thank you for your time, and if you'll gather your things, a gentleman with a badge will help escort you once you leave this room.

Thank y'all so much for your time.

And thank you, Mr. Fetzer. Have a truly wonderful day and do try not to let the door strike you in the ass on the way out.

Thanks, dude.

No Land 3

College degree does nothing but check off a box on a resume. Oftly expensive box to check off.
Please, get a degree in something you can fall back on in case you lose your medical. A two year trade school would be better for that.

155mm

I disagree with the "all eggs in one basket" argument. The degree you are talking about is an aviation management degree offered by the "College of Business". Losing a medical and subsequently all your "eggs" is not accurate in this context.

There are many facets of aviation that don't require a medical exam. Administration, management, instruction, academics, research, safety and sales to name a few. I will agree that an aviation management degree is very specific in the field of business management and would suggest at least exploring a generalized MBA. Although there certainly is utility in this field of study. Good luck!

PotatoChip

^^^

Thank you.

I love aviation. I want to work in aviation. My degrees are in aviation.
My degrees are not in “A320 Pilot”.
I looked into an MBA, but the cost, convenience, and field for which I wanted made more sense with the Delta State degree. I do NOT recommend UND/ERAU/Purdue etc undergrad aviation degrees to most people. It is prohibitively expensive for a wildly swinging ROI. That said, if you already have one, like the OP, and myself, I believe the MCA (or equivalent) can be very valuable.
For myself, I am interested in Airport Operations/Management and have contacts in that field. Should I lose my medical, get furloughed, or decide to quit for QOL etc, I now have the relevant education for such a career. Further, the MCA can get your foot in the door for many more educational careers, managerial positions, and work in safety. Even further, if an individual is interested in aviation research and/or pursuing a PHD it’s a prerequisite.
Are all my eggs in aviation? Sure, most are, but that doesn’t limit one to ONE job. That’s grossly oversimplified.

av8n

I agree like if one wanted to get a job as an airport manager, field ops, NTSB, FAA, etc.

av8n

Correct, aviation has many facets.

JohnBurke

It surely does. An aviation degree is equally useless for all.

It's most useless, of course, outside of aviation, but still not worth much within, other than a checked box.

155mm

For future aviators, when it comes to an undergraduate degree in aviation, I recommend the associates in Aviation with a CFI rating approved for the RATP at 1250 hours. Afterwards, pursue a bachelors in something entirely different. You have to be strategic in your education and having all your eggs in one basket is a valid concern! A bachelors in another field will potentially have much more utility than saving 250 hours towards an ATP.

The associates degree usually covers general education to continue on to the bachelors. However, aviation courses will likely be treated as free electives. I understand the appeal of the aviation industry overall but I really do agree to diversify yourself if you have that option.

I also recognize there is a legion of regional airline pilots that need a "check the box" bachelors degree to get considered for a major.

You are obviously in the category of wanting to go to graduate school and it looks like you are doing your research. Anectdotally, I know a few graduates of Delta State and their MCA has helped them in their aviation careers.