What is the Difference Between a Masters Degree and a Graduate Certificate?

The difference is one year of post-graduate study and a Master's thesis. Together with maybe US$15K-30K of initial cost.

Differences in employability and starting salary? I'm guessing someone with a certificate can't do that of someone with a master's

Walmart and most any fast food place will pay the same regardless of which one you get.

What one would look better or make you feel the best if hung on your wall at home?

Very informative post.. I guess.

I don't suppose you'd like to elaborate on why you feel a mechanical engineering masters and graduate certificate are both useless

I guess you assumed that since I don't understand the difference between two options I am infinitely naïve and that you must go out of your way to set me straight and shoot down my "dream job". Hey I guess it's the thought that counts though, right?

Here's a thought, what if things were to work out for me? A very plausible scenario, even if not initially right out of college. In such a case, knowing the difference between these two degrees/certificate could be useful information for me.

I see many have answered your similar question in the threads:

• Question About Engineering Careers and What Masters Degree to Get 03/08/2013 1:26 PM
• Are There a Lot of Part Time Job Opportunities in the Field of Engineering? 04/21/2013 6:33 PM
• Will a Masters in Physics Broaden or Narrow Job Possibilities? 05/27/2013 2:47 PM

So you can't get a job!

More schooling is not the answer, unless you have a free ride. Then you may as well continue with a PHD, and teach.

I want to go into automotive, especially performance type stuff. There is a local company that designs and tests superchargers and turbochargers. I have done lots of work on cars from turbocharging to experimenting with water and methanol injection.

I think you are assuming that no one here has been there and done that or that no one here is smarter or more experienced in life than you.

Assume other wise.

The point is, even if you are right, how can I weigh and make a decision for myself if I don't fully understand the higher level degrees and where they have the potential to take me?

Things I didn't mention: I have an MET degree which I understand puts somewhat of a glass ceiling over my head. I don't particularily want to work as a drafter for the rest of my life or right out of college. A second bachelors in ME is something I'm also considering but since I didn't know what a graduate certificate is I wanted to atleast look into it. That being said that question hasn't really been answered.

If you truly have honest perspective jobs you can get into then by al means go for it!

However just the same be prepared that you may very well have a marketability change in your future perspectives that now leaves you with a big tile and no work that justifies it for some time.

I for one have an associates degree in Industrial Maintenance technology and 3.5 years don towards an Electrical Engineering Degree yet I make more money and have far more jobs available to me driving a truck with my Class A commercial Drivers licence and Hazardous material transport certificate. Basically my two degrees along with the time and the money spent mean nothing in the profession I am now in.

To day many highly qualified degree holders are unemployed as there is glut in demand for white collar workers. If you are considering to get degree for status sake than employability then you have to forget about getting good job. Alternatively you should find out which profession can get you good employment, then select that profession, other wise just hanging degree in you neck and running around for job would be waste of money and time and would lead to frustration.

I would rather suggest you to get degree in software as there is future in this profession and employment opportunities are good.

Good Morning 7055,

Hey you may not like hearing what these guys are saying but it would be a good idea to alteast listen and not discount out right years of experience in the real world. Just sayin'

As for me, I hold a Masters degree in Social Work. I hold a job with the title Mechanical Reliability Engineer.

You see, in our economic construct, when excess money dries up the first thing that goes are social services because the population being served is so completely disenfrancised that the cost to a politician for shuttering a social program is practically nil. I will cost them few if any votes. it will not effect the amount of campaign contributions, and cutting aid to the poor will not make the front page unlike Anthony Wieners underwear, so politicians have no problems cutting social programs at the drop of a hat. When I saw the end coming I jumped career paths.

When the economy goes South in a big way like it just did, people will do what ever they can to make it through regardless of education.

My advice to you is have more than one area and option of employment. Um, what's that old saying about eggs and baskets...........

The real question is (apart from the course costs) - which challenge are you up for, the greater or the lesser. The more (and greater) challenges you take on (even often when you fail!) the more resilient you become to take on the next one - even seek them out or create them. People pay those who can build up a reputation for taking on hard tasks and succeeding. Are you someone who revels in taking on challenges - mind you, not brashly over-promising and then disasterously under-delivering but having enough faith (from past objective results) in your analytic & creative ability to at least be able to kick the tin further down the road and perhaps seek out and enlist others who might help you do it. Pick challenges that will stretch you without breaking you and go for it - you'll find you make your own luck along the way.

I think you have to look at where you want to end up & see what potential employers are looking for. I recognise the scenarios that several people have posted here & personally I didn't become a graduate until much later in life after I had a lot of experience. My employer has a policy of taking on a couple of people each year whilst they do their post-grad work towards their PhD & often these people are employed by us after they qualify. We are a science based company with probably a higher ratio of doctors & graduates than most but we can't be the only ones who do this.

There are differences between two and they vary from one person to another. But there is one universal difference that in later case you will be atleast 2 years older and somewhat poorer than before when you will be searching for job.

"Graduate Certificate" is not a standard term, so far as I know. It could just mean a piece of paper saying that the holder attended a one-week workshop or seminar.

You might be able to find some income statistics for the various recognized college degrees: Associate of Arts/Sciences, Bachelor of Arts/Sciences, Master of Arts/Sciences, and Doctors of assorted types.

This will vary a lot from country to country. Some places are more credential-happy than others.

Whatever the difference you ask about there is a big difference between learning and practising a profession and it seems you haven't done any of the second yet (but have come some way [bachelors?] with the first). Why not try that first. Then you might come up with some really worthwhile avenues for masters research.

Employability & salary doesn't depend on certificate only but on skill too. Those who never got a Bachelor's or Master's degree have done well and attained great heights by hard work,dedication,being good with the boss,faithful,belonging to an influential family,on racial/religious grounds etc. Certificate is only a show piece for some or for research work/thesis writing.

In my life experiences, the only employer who takes educational degrees as eternal wisdom, (regardless of what on-line college the degree came from, or what science the degree is related to) is the US Gubernment. Just think, if you had a backgroung as a community organizer, you could even be president!! (What a country) Experience is not a prerequisite as long as a degree is listed on your application. A Master degree in basket weaving will carry you to new heights in Civil Service.(Maybe that's why we're 17 trillion in debt)

I get the feeling that you are looking for an equation that relates what it says on a piece of paper to salary. Sorry to disappoint, but the degree only gets you to the interview. After that, your prospective employer will want to learn how you will contribute to his organization. Please don't come looking to me for a job. I don't like turbochargers. I am a supercharger type of guy, so be prepared to make your case.

I graduated with a double Major (Electronics and Computer Science) in 1990.

I Enlisted in the Army in 1991 just to get experience in the Career field I wanted, primarily due to being told I needed more experience....

After coming off active duty in '96, the door seemed wide open.

IMHO, Proper Experience trumps education any day.

BTW, I ended up Retiring from the Air Natl Guard AND hold a great job and plan to retire at 55..... I HOPE>

GA from me..

and following along those lines...

My father (long time retired) was a Chartered Engineer, Professor of Engineering in the University of Wales, UK. A few years before he retired, he being mechanical and me being electrical, we started to talk about newly graduated guys and gals trying to obtain their charter-ship straight out of university, and he told me this story..

As he was on the selection/review panel for these up and coming chartered engineers (PE in the US I would guess) he and others on the panel were shocked at the TOTAL LACK of practical experience these applicants did not have, and many were rejected because of it. So the university decided to do something about it.

One of the last things my father did before he retired to a world of gardening and selective hearing (my mother shouts) was write a years long post grad course to give those newly graduated practical teaching, such as, how to saw, how to file, how to use a drill machine.. etc, etc, as they couldn't hold a hacksaw to save their life, and I have experienced "so-called" mechanical engineers who couldn't even put a hacksaw blade in, let alone saw a piece of metal.

And during exams.. one student changed ALL the questions so he could answer them, as he didn't understand what was being asked, but in his opinion, changing the question so it kinda fitted was OK cos he could answer his modified question. You can't make this stuff up!!

I was teaching a group of post grad guys and gals from all over the world when I worked for Schlumberger. One of the weekly pop quiz questions I asked was how many Ohms in a Megohm?

A electrical engineer graduate (female) from South America, calmly slide up to me at the front of the class, pulled her top down a bit further and asked for the answer, as she didn't know. Furthermore out of 14, only one got it right.

Only 10 more years before I retire....

Good morning 7055.

In manufacturing, it has been my experience that the highest degreed engineer is the first to be laid off. I have witnessed this many times, including once we completed building the new plant, letting the "extra" engineer go.

I earned my MBA after over 30 years in manufacturing. I teach as an adjunct in both the undergrad and graduarte program. The students that go straight to their masters from undergrad, without gaining any real world experience or sense of the issues, are not able to get the greatest value from the class work as are folks who have some experience and battle scars. Experience gives one context. context is needed to make proper inferences and to critically think and understand, rather than merely memorize concepts.

Also, A Masters degree is a bit of a barrier to hiring in my opinion, as, without "shop " experience, a masters engineer and a Bachelors engineer are both newbies and so Why pay more for one of them? So the one with the masters might get the offer but only at the Bachelors salary level? what's the ROI?

Do they put turbo chargers and super chargers on Hybrids? Diesels? and Electrics? A graduate degree in someday wiothin your career horizon Buggy whip is not necessariley strategic career outlook.

My advice is to get bachelors. Get job, Get PE. Then with experience determine if sending more money to institutions to pay professors is the highest and best way to turbocharge your career. My guess is that you will find it is not.

Milo

While I actually admire people with Masteral degrees, I've found that through my years of working, that the saying "experience is the best teacher" is absolutely correct. I only had a bachelor's degree, but I think I must have studied really well back then. I didn't forget most of the things that I learned back then in school. Coupled with my experiences, I have became so capable of my job. Though, I never had the chance or time to get a Masteral degree, I was fortunate to work in some of the best companies in my field which is oil and gas.

My advice is this: if you really really want to have a masteral degree, then do that as soon as you can "practically" do it. I believe people who have masteral degrees still can demand a "higher impression" on HR managers. :) It does not guarantee however that you can always be better automatically that those who haven't had a masteral degree, those people like me. You still have to really work hard for it. Engineering is about developing your ability and application of "simple common sense" most of the time. And it has nothing to do with a certificate or a master's.

Cheers and good luck!

Those who posses a diploma too can work like a graduate but many employers and the society in general prefer the word "graduate". Those in the engineering profession only knows it.

Hi,

Specialisation in particular field restricts your job opportunities. It is better to be Mechanical Engineer so that you can be absorbed in any field.

According to the type of work(research,design,consultancy,construction,testing and commissioning etc)done by the organisation the ratio of different categories(Ph.D, masters, graduates,diplomates,C&G,rankers etc)of engineers to be decided.

As the degree level increases the specialty and range narrows and the job opportunities narrow. A higher level degree decreses the oportunity for employment rather than increases it. The pay level is higher, but the chances for a job are lower. If a student has a specific position in mind it might be desirable to aim for it, but he better be the best in that narrow field or he will get left by the wayside. Many times it is better to get a BS in engineering and work a few years to prove yourself and then look for programs within that company to go for an advanced degree. The company I was with had an A, B, and C program at Rensaleer that was used for advanced training. The C program was pretty much like a Doctorate and recognized by other companies as such. If you haven't learned how to learn by the time you get a BS you never will. Once you begin work you will have to learn much more than you ever did in college.

7055, you answered your own question. If you know that a certificate is a lot less involved, then your potential employers know the same thing. If you were in HR and hiring people, you'd think that someone took the easy way out and all they're trying to do is impress people who don't know.

Since you stated that you do not currently hold a BS/ME, I think that should be your first goal. In EE, the guy with the technology degree is the one who is on the factory floor doing our dirty work (at least that's how it starts out - he/she may excel and move up the ladder).

I'll share a few ideas with you. A bachelors degree will give you a few very important advantages vs a non-degreed person.

1. You get a jump start careerwise. You don't start at the bottom like non-degreed employees.

2. You have learned how to problem solve - that's what engineering is about.

3. You have the confidence - you know you've earned the degree, which is probably the most difficult thing you're done up to date. We all understand, because at some point, we've all thought about quitting ... but we didn't!

If you want to go into research, then go for your master's, but know that you'll need to get your doctors degree. If you want to go into management, get an MBA, not an MS. As someone stated earlier, if you want to work for the gov't, then your MS will have value. In most other cases, you should do it for yourself and not because you want to make more money.

This may not be what you want to hear, but it's good sound advice. You've been given a lot of good advice here, it's not up to you to do something about it. By the way, this is one of the things most employers look for - the ability to research, analyze, make a decision and move on it.

Good luck.

Thanks Autobroker,

I understand that a master's is probably not right for me. And I know that most people here say that work experience is best and it probably would be in the short term. But please hear me out.

From what I understand, an MET degree it is not tailored towards what I want to do verses an ME degree. I did not even know this my first two years of school, infact I thought it was the same thing. Taking the extra credit hours to get an ME degree is an option like Autobroker mention, and then I would have a degree in both MET and ME from two different schools. I would like to hear some thoughts on this option. It is something I am considering.

Its not that I'm saying anyone is off base about immediately going into the workforce (I'm actually at an internship right now) It's just that I know going back to school is very hard and I think having an MET degree and a potential glass ceiling would weigh on mind knowing that its not what I wanted.

Sidenote: My last 2/3 internships have been in drafting and I don't hate it but I don't really want it as a career or like it. These as I understand are typical MET jobs.

I have rarely seen a Masters degree significantly harm anyone that does indeed have experience. Your experience, as you indicate, is already related to the field. Thus, while it may not be exactly the same as what you might be doing, it is different than having no experience and just the degree.

The arguments against the Masters degree always revolve around "over educated, but under qualified" in other words, advanced education without practical experience makes an individual appear as an academic - not a "good employee".

Given that you have experience (your internships): you should continue to seek experience and ALSO pursue the education. I encourage you to get the degree *while working*. This makes everything more difficult, certainly, but it shows potential employers that you are willing to work while also developing yourself.

Ideally, as someone else already mentioned, you find an employer that is willing to foot the bill for this education. Perhaps you could grow and develop internally to that company.

Simply put - yes, go for the degree.

Now more complications:

Certificate vs. Degree

As you said, the certificate is 'easier' - so less time and money involved. However, in my observation, it is frequently the case where it is possible to achieve the certificate along the way to a Masters degree.

Thus, the choice becomes obvious: Get the certificate! Then, continue on and get the Masters. If in the meantime you run out of time and money, you will at least have the certificate.

Ultimately you have to make the choice based on the advice you've been given here, your perceptions of opportunities available to you, your knowledge of the job marketplace you want to be in, and most importantly your desires.

It will be hard to do something you hate for the next 30-40 years, even if it pays well.

7055, I like your idea of getting your BS/ME, as it will be helpful to you throughout your entire career. I also like hearing that you're an interm. Even though you don't get to do the work you want to, you're working with engineers and designers, which is a huge plus.

When I was in college, I thought I would work as an EE for my entire career. i planned to get an MS/EE after working in the field. These were my plans, but somehow I decided that I did not want to work in the field and I wanted to own my own company. Working as an EE, I went to grad school and ran my own business (with my partner). It took me 2 1/2 years to get my MBA, which included some lower level business prerequisite courses.

For over 20 years, I haven't worked as an EE, however I use the knowledge I gained in my daily life. From things as simple as understanding numbers (helps me understand finances and time value of money), the concept of static and dynamic forces (helps me in my rental business), basic physics (helps me understand automobile dynamics and materials), electronics (helps in both my rentals and autos) and computer programming (helps when I work on my computer, understanding vehicle communication systems and new entertainment systems).

So even though I'm not not a practicing EE, my education and work experience have helped me have a successful career(s).

One final piece of advice - don't worry about working hard, don't be afraid to fail, learn from your mistakes, NEVER say "I should have" and have faith that things will turn out okay - it always does.

Take care and good luck with your decision and career - and let us know how it works out for you.

Go for the higher degree..................... with no practical experience you can always ...... teach......... maybe.

On particular international company (name withheld) didn't hire highly-academically-qualified people as they "weren't the sort of people we are looking for". On arrival, fresh graduates had a fortnight in each of the practical workshops on site, having a go at wood skills, pipe fitting, instrumentation, electrical install etc. just helping out as a spare pair of hands so that they could embrace something of what it takes to work in the real world. Then, there was the famous 2-week "working with people" training course...

The world has changed since 1979.

My initial advice to you is once you have finished your Undergraduate studies land a job and gain some very valuable hands-on engineering experience. Pay off some of those Student Loans before going on to Graduate studies! Once you start working in the real world you may decide that ME may not be agreeable to you. Also, remember that what you learned in school is mostly THEORY and not applied engineering/technology. Gained experience is always more desirable from an employer's perspective. You need to demonstrate to any employer that you are a risk worth hiring so you can make $$$$ for employer, otherwise you are just a boat anchor dragging down the profitability of the company. FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT, IT'S ALWAYS THE BOTTOM LINE (MAKING $$$$) THAT COUNTS!!!!!! It's not "what is in it for me?", but rather "how can I help the company make a larger profit by my contributions?".

Additionally, waiting on starting your Graduate studies may be more advantageous because many companies will help defray the cost of said studies. A lot depends on the employer's "Perks" package and how large the company is, etc etc. they may pay for your Grad studies "in Part" or "in whole", depending on your resulting grades.

Obtaining a Masters Degree (MSME) is always more desirable than a Certificate. My experience shows, to me at least, that a Master's Certificate can be used as toilet paper at best, and most are not transferable to another College or University if you should decide to move or pursue studies elsewhere. Additionally, if should ever decide to pursue Doctorate studies most likely you will be sent back to square one to obtain a true MSME degree before being accepted into a Doctoral studies program. As with any Graduate Degree, make sure that it's ABET accredited!!!!

Signed,

CaptMoosie, PhD, P.E.

Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineer w/ 35-years experience in the industry.

I don't have an ME degree, read post #37. Thanks for the info on grad certificates though

Are you saying that you hold a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Technology?

If that's the case and you do not want to run into a "Glass Ceiling" during your career, then i suggest that you take the additional courses to obtain a BSME degree. You usually can take courses at day or night on a part time basis to fulfill the BSME diploma requirement. By "Internships", do you mean "Co-Op" work assignments to fulfill your BT degree requirements??????

That's what I did before pursuing my Graduate studies later on. I initially received a double BT in Civil/Environmental Engineering, & Structural Engineering, from R.I.T. in Rochester NY before taking additional courses to bring it into BSCE compliance.

Where are you located?

Yes! that's what I've been saying! And to answer your other question, no I am not doing co-op and I've had three internships (on my 3rd) all not part of my BSMET degree. I'm located in Kansas City usually but working in Omaha right now on my internship doing a drafting position working under engineers.

IF you've already earned your BTME degree and are now working, you should be designated a "Junior Engineer" and ideally not be doing drafting work. Right now, you're being used as 'Cheap Labor' by the looks of it. Personally if I were you, I'd be searching for another job that offers engineering advancement, not drafting.

Did you sit for the EIT Exam and pass it?

I'm a little confused about EXACTLY what your "Internship" really is.....usually an internship implies that you need to do it as part of the educational curriculum requirements, like a Co-Op program.

Capt. Moosie, it is not a Co-Op, those are different from what are usually called internships. An internship is a temporary job where you are seeing if the company is right for you and if you are right for the company. There is no school credit, it's something people usually do over the summers while working on their degree. Yes I already graduated just last semester and so typically you would be doing full time instead of internship but you can still do internships after having graduated especially if you're considering more education. They may make a job offer when I'm done and if I liked the company, I can make a better decision on whether or not to accept the job offer.

I work at Kiewit Engineering Co. in Omaha which does in house design of temporary structures. I am basically working under the engineers/with them to make drawings of what they determine will work.

I don't know what the EIT exam is, I did take the FE exam and did not pass

7055, thanks for clarifying where you're at and what you are doing.

The Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Exam = Fundamentals of Engineer (FE) Exam....same same, different jargon from different eras.

So, since you have passed the FE exam, then in essence you hold a EIT Certificate.

I know of Kiewit Engineering. They're a very good firm. As I understand it, they do a lot of DoD Contract Work as well as other Gov't Contract Work.

And since you got your foot through the door then I suggest you hold place and wait for promotion to Junior Engineer status. Since they're a fairly large company, they most likely have a Tuition assistance Program once you are a Full Timer. Take advantage of that opportunity!!!!!

I didn't pass the FE exam

In which countries EIT & FE exams are held,why not in others?.Most in Commonwealth (british ruled)countries know only Apprenticeship, C&G,Diploma, Degree & masters. Why can't an International organisation of Engineers hold common exams in all UN member states so that all engineers can get job in any country.

Thanks for the information. I learned a lot for myself

Thanks for information!