MS: to thesis or not to thesis? advice please

[wholewheatchick]

I am applying for a Master of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation. The school I am applying to has a 100% online program with an emphasis in ecological restoration.

However. It is a non-thesis degree. No major project, either. Right now, DH and I do not have kids, and are not pregnant, but are not using any birth control and are open to the idea. A program exists that allows me to patch together classes from online and in a regular classroom an hour away that includes a thesis. Right now, a thesis seems like a good idea. A little more traditional, less explaining to do to potential employers, perhaps easier to get a Ph.D. if I want to eventually...

But I'm not sure if doing a thesis is going to seem so amazing if I'm trying to mother a 9 month old simultaneously. Because of my program, thesis work will involve time in the field, literally, and I live in Florida (i.e., hot, humid, mosquitoe-infested, etc.). It would definitely be less flexible than the straight coursework MS. I would also have to take two classes in a regular classroom in a city an hour away.

Anyone have thoughts or advice?

[outlier]

That's a tough call. I've been in grad school almost 5 years now (did a thesis-based MS and now working on a PhD), and from what I know, the thesis option is definitely best in case you do decide to do a PhD in the future. A potential adviser will know you can do research and have the follow-through to write it up. Having field work experience and a written thesis on your CV may also make you more marketable to future employers.

In case you do commit to the thesis option and then get pregnant right away, do you think you may be able to do the field work while pregnant? Would you have help available to you? If it turns out that you won't be able to manage both, would you be able to switch to the non-thesis option? I guess if I were you, I would go for the option that gives me the best options for the future, and if it turned out I was unable to do the research for whatever reason, then I would make the necessary changes.

I'm about to figure out how to do intensive field work while pregnant, and I will eventually write my entire dissertation with a little one. I know it won't be easy, but I think both will be well worth the struggle in the end. Good luck with your decision!

[LynnS6]

If it's thesis vs. major project, that's a tougher choice. Thesis vs. no culminating experience? Go with the thesis.

The thing is that PhD programs and potential employers will want to see that you can formulate a project and carry it through. What in the online program will show them that?

I'd be highly suspicious of a 100% online program with no culminating experience because you'll most likely have a harder time getting to know your professors (which means you might not have anyone to write recommendations for you) and you won't have a cohort of other students. The thing about a culminating experience (project or thesis) is that you have to work with a faculty member to do that. That's part of our job, and it's those connections that can be really educational. Will you get that experience totally online?

The only time I can see doing a completely online degree is if it's a professional degree with a discrete set of skills that you need to learn, or an exam you'll need to pass to become qualified. So, becoming a CPA, for example.

[gingerbane]

I've heard that it's extremely hard to get a good PhD placement if you have an online degree. If you are looking into the PhD route, I would strongly suggest looking for a brick and mortar school.

(wife of a long-time grad student)

[wholewheatchick]

Thank you so much. It is good to hear from some other women in somewhat the same boat. FWIW, I am going to earn the degree from the University of Florida, so it's not like University of Phoenix, of Cappella or Walden or something that is only an online school. This just happens to be one of their very few online programs. But you bring up good points: proving that I can see a project to completion, and making those connections with professors and esp. a faculty advisor, are very important aspects of doing the thesis. I want to do the thesis, even if it does mean more work. If I knew that I wasn't going to get pregnant for two more years, I would absolutely do it, no hesitation. Which I think means that I should just do it. Because I don't know when we'll have a baby. So I'll just plunge in, and adjust course as necessary when life happens.

[momofmine]

I realize this is old, but was searching and saw this thread. I just wanted to add, if you don't have kids yet, and this is something you really want, I would do it now. I am now faced with a dilemma of wanting to go back for a higher level degree, but not really having as many options without relocating, but now that I am in the middle of family life, it doesn't seem as feasible. So, I would say go for it now and get it over with so that you will have the most flexibility later when you do have kids and want the flexibility. It seems like the thesis would give you better options.

[outlier]

Hey, the OP is expecting now! Congratulations! Welcome to the world of juggling grad school and family-starting! My new motto: uhhh, it'll all work out somehow or another.

[Jend1002]

Hey OP! Are you still checking in? Great to see that you are expecting!! And your sig says you are a grad student. What did you decide??

Originally Posted by LynnS6

If it's thesis vs. major project, that's a tougher choice. Thesis vs. no culminating experience? Go with the thesis.

If you haven't decided, I agree with this statement. However I should say that I have a natural resources MS and didn't do a thesis and have landed a wonderful job. No questions asked by my employer about a thesis. But I also don't plan on going for another degree. I did have a major project though. AND, I was a full time student with no kids so, I had it easy peasy

Anyway, good luck to you!!