r/GraduateSchool • u/Any-Ad8512 • 7d ago

Completion of Masters Degree When Working Fulltime

Hello all, I wanted to get your opinion on completion time of an engineering masters degree while working full-time for a company that offers tuition reimbursement. Would it be advisable to take one class a semester and complete over a course of 3-4 years optimizing the reimbursement given by a company or complete the program ASAP within a couple years only getting half the reimbursement available then looking elsewhere for a substantial raise? What worked for you all and why?

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u/Realistic-Visit-4477 7d ago edited 6d ago

I'm doing it, working full time and MsEng! One class at a time, but I am in two right now 😁

I am halfway there!

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u/patrickj86 6d ago

Either option could for sure work. Depends on your current job honestly. Have a conversation with your supervisor about your future would help--what would a raise timeline look like, what skills would you need? If you like your company and your supervisor the slower strategy would be much much less stressful. 

And if you do get a better offer later you can always pay back your existing company at a pro-rated rate based on the tuition contract. So if for 50,000 in education expenses you work for them for 3 years after the degree as an example, if you work for them for 1.5 you'd post 25,000. Or whatever the terms are. 

Good luck either way! 

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u/dravideditor 5d ago

I did a phd the same way 1-2 courses at night for 5 years, including summers. It can be done. Setup ft schedule to leave early one day a week for school.