Does anybody have any firsthand knowledge of how employers look on Accelerated Master’s programs? I imagine it doesn’t explicitly say on the Diploma but if they ask how I did both my BA/MA so fast I wouldn’t lie to them. Are Accelerated programs viewed as less rigorous? The reason I’m asking is I’m applying to Clark University - and I’m interested in their 5th year reduced tuition/free master’s in finance program.
It depends on the master’s, the program, the employer, the person reviewing your resume…a lot of factors. Some employers won’t care, some employers will.
This is a good question I’ll be watching, a couple of my daughter’s schools have 5 in programs.
I was mostly interested in the Accelerated Master’s in Finance at Clark and the Accelerated Master’s in Campaign Mgmt at Fordam. Does it say on the degree whether or not it was accelerated? @juillet Sorry if that’s a super basic question.
I don’t know whether it will say on the degree, but it can be deduced if they have your college transcript
It will not say on the degree, but it will be obvious from your resume by looking at the graduation dates. If you get a Master’s degree one year after your bachelors degree then people will know without asking that it you were in some kind of five year accelerated program.
IMO a fifth year master’s is viewed as almost an extension of undergraduate work. It’s primary value can be in helping the person find a job in the area he or she wants to work in. For some fields (ex. accounting) it is typical to get a one year Master’s degree as it is required to have 150 credits to become a CPA and a typical bachelors degree is 120 credits. For others the value of an accelerated masters degree can be in that they are able to specialize in an area of interest not offered at the undergrad level that they would like to work in. But in general I would say that a 5th year Master’s is not looked upon the same as a Master’s that is obtained after significant work experience.
That said, I believe Clark offers a 5th year master’s tuition free so, in all honesty, there is little to lose by doing it.
If I were to do it, I would probably go for a BA in Econ or PolySci and then a MSF, and you’re correct it’s 5th year free. I just wonder, what happens if I feel like employers aren’t really valuing my schoolwork. I guess I could hypothetically try to get another master’s but I don’t really think I’d be prepared for PhD work after an accelerated masters.