Burton

I am currently working on a BA in Commercial Aviation and UND. I was wondering what advantages an MA would have on the long-term goal of working for a major company (ie. cargo, executive or major airline). I understand the importance of hours and the advantages you receive with a thick logbook, however, how much would the MA help ON TOP of the hours? The program will allow me to work full time for a regional or flight instructor and still work on the degree.


Thanks

Slice

Unless you want to get into management, I think anything beyond a BA/BS is a waste. If you are doing it solely to get an advantage in hiring at a major you're wasting your money. If you want it to better yourself and give you other options beyond flying then go for it.

FlyerJosh

In terms of airlines, an MA doesn't help a whole bunch. In terms of corporate jobs it MIGHT help some, depending on the type of candidate that a company is looking for.

Either way, I'd suggest leaving after you finish your BA. Go fly some, and then if need be go back to school. You will have enough debt right off the bat to worry about without having to pay the additional cost of a masters. Also, if you do choose to go back to school for your masters, don't choose something tied to aviation. Your BA-Aeronautics is enough. Get something more generalized (or very specialized outside of aviation) that can help you if you ever find yourself furloughed or without a medical.

As a side note, I chose to hold off on my masters and ended up landing a flying job where the company will reimburse 100% of tuition costs towards my MBA. Always worth considering... many medium and large corporations (not airlines) have at least partial tuition reimbursement (Even my wife who works as a manager at a Target store gets reimbursed for some of her masters degree.)