[kictanet] [Skunkworks] Masters Degree Program: Is It Worth It?

Wed Oct 16 23:21:16 EAT 2013

Kivuva:
The answer to your question touches on the issue of the very
existence of a university. One question that I often put to my students is why
is the first degree called bachelors, the second masters and the third doctor? The
answer can be found in the ancient statutes of the older universities such as Cambridge (Click
here for original Statutes). Further, I usually ask them why is it that
when you get your first degree the chancellor says “I grant you the power to
read and write and do all that pertains to this degree..” 
Frankly, there are few fields where this power to read and
write makes more sense than information technology. The changes in this sector
within a short span of time are enormous. The ability to conduct continuing
education and conduct self-driven investigations some based on some kind of
thesis is essential in this area and indeed in all areas of study. Furthermore some
undergraduate programmes are designed such that they should followed with some
kind of postgraduate training to create a qualified professional. Have you ever
wondered why we have low level bachelor of laws (LLB)? 
Generally a masters degree provide you ability to conduct
independent thinking and critical analysis – skills that are necessary in many
areas of IT including R&D, development and project management. It also
allows you to specialize in areas which are not adequately addressed at
undergraduate level. It can further give you the necessary foundation for PhD
studies if you are academically inclined, and lastly it can provide you with
opportunity to spring to entirely different professional area – something that
is often necessary as many graduates enter the labour market in the traditional
fields that are not growing in tandem or professional growth becomes limited.
You will find more answers to your question at the following
sites:
Why a Masters
Masters'
degrees: Are they worth the bother?
I hope that I have been of some use.
Regards
Prof. James A. Kulubi, B.sc 1st Class Hons (Elec
Eng-Uon), M.Sc (Elec Eng-Uon), M.Sc (Biomedical and Clinical  Engineering – Free University of Brussels),
PhD (Telecommunications and Knowledge-based Systems - Free University of Brussels), R.Eng (K), MIEEE

On Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 20:45, Kivuva <Kivuva at transworldafrica.com> wrote:

Interesting perspective Betty.

Members have come up with convincing thesis that can make any naysayer go back to class.

I would not discount the great networking opportunities you get in a class setting. But remember many have done their Masters through distance learning.

The best bit I liked when doing my Masters was the research techniques and knowledge you acquire.  That is invaluable. It's a pity that most of us drop our research abilities after submitting that Masters project.

Regards

______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva
twitter.com/lordmwesh

google ID | Skype ID: lordmwesh

On 16 October 2013 00:07, Betty Obura Ogange <ogange at yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Kivuva, 
>
>
>
>I like the ‘bragging rights’ bit;-).
>
>
>Self-study is cheaper as you say, but
perhaps more expensive in the long run. Going to class, be it an online or
physical class, has some added value as you become part of a ‘community of
enquiry’ where learners collectively construct meaning as they engage in
collaborative learning activities of various kinds. This is why group work is
encouraged in many learning contexts. 
>
>
>
>Self-study in its purest form sets you on a lonely learning
path and one definitely misses out on the added value that comes with the diverse
abilities that will naturally exist in a more social learning context.
>
>
>I would choose Masters in a set up where I learn alongside others.
>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Betty Obura Ogange, PhD | Director | The eCampus | Maseno University
>Varsity Plaza, 10th Floor,
P.O Box 3275 - 40100, Kisumu, KENYA 
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722-348 693|e-mail: bogange at maseno.ac.ke| 
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>The eCampus of Maseno University places Education right at your
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eLearning.
>For more information, please visit  http://ecampus.maseno.ac.ke/
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 14:14, Adam Nelson <adam at varud.com> wrote:
> 
>Michael,
>
>
>A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others.
>
>
>A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management).
>
>
>The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5.  In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter.
>
>
>I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs.
>
>
>Cheers,
>Adam
>
>
>--
>Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io
>Musings: twitter.com/varud
>About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson
>
>
>
>On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main at kipsang.com> wrote:
>
>Greetings Listers,
>>
>>
>>I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: What would your advice be in such a situation? Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? 
>>
>>
>>Help a wandering young man out?
>>
>>
>>
>>Warm regards, 
>>
>>Michael Bullut. 
>>
>>
>>---
>>
>>Cell: +254 723 393 114.
>>Skype Name: Michael Bullut.
>>
>>Twitter:@Kipsang
>>
>>Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/
>>E-mail: main at kipsang.com
>>
>>
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