- #1
YoshiMoshi
- 236
- 10
Hello friends,
Is it a waste of time to get both a degree and certificate in the same field? If for example I received a graduate certificate and a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, does having a flow blown masters degree sort of overwrite the certificate credential?
While it's nice to have both credentials listed on a resume, I'm wondering if it makes little to no sense to say pursue a graduate certificate in a certain field, with the full intention of eventually getting a masters in the same field? For example, if I just left the graduate certificate off my resume, and left only the maters degree, would it make any difference over listing both? Like I don't think anyone would care about me earning a certificate if I also have a masters in the same field?
If say for example:
Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering = 4 Graduate Mechanical Engineering Courses
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering = 8 Graduate Mechanical Engineering Courses + 1 Graduate Math Course + 1 Project Management Course
Option A
If I earned the graduate certificate first, and applied those same four courses towards the masters degree, I would have taken a total of 10 classes, 8 of which are Mechanical Engineering. The same work had I just earned the masters to begin with without the certificate.
Option B
If however, I choose NOT to apply the graduate certificate courses to the masters degree, but still earned both, I would have taken a total of 14 classes, 12 of which are Mechanical Engineering. Seems to me like earning both a graduate certificate and a masters degree in the same field, would make me more knowledgeable of the field, if I don't apply the courses from the certificate towards the masters.
Seems like Option B would make me a more knowledgeable engineer in my field of study. However, I'm not so sure employers would see it this way or even care?
Is it a waste of time to get both a degree and certificate in the same field? If for example I received a graduate certificate and a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, does having a flow blown masters degree sort of overwrite the certificate credential?
While it's nice to have both credentials listed on a resume, I'm wondering if it makes little to no sense to say pursue a graduate certificate in a certain field, with the full intention of eventually getting a masters in the same field? For example, if I just left the graduate certificate off my resume, and left only the maters degree, would it make any difference over listing both? Like I don't think anyone would care about me earning a certificate if I also have a masters in the same field?
If say for example:
Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering = 4 Graduate Mechanical Engineering Courses
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering = 8 Graduate Mechanical Engineering Courses + 1 Graduate Math Course + 1 Project Management Course
Option A
If I earned the graduate certificate first, and applied those same four courses towards the masters degree, I would have taken a total of 10 classes, 8 of which are Mechanical Engineering. The same work had I just earned the masters to begin with without the certificate.
Option B
If however, I choose NOT to apply the graduate certificate courses to the masters degree, but still earned both, I would have taken a total of 14 classes, 12 of which are Mechanical Engineering. Seems to me like earning both a graduate certificate and a masters degree in the same field, would make me more knowledgeable of the field, if I don't apply the courses from the certificate towards the masters.
Seems like Option B would make me a more knowledgeable engineer in my field of study. However, I'm not so sure employers would see it this way or even care?
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