<p>I'm currently in a grad program for Physics and I had enrolled with the intention of getting a phd. However, I have decided that I don't want to stay in grad school that long, so I want to drop out with a master's. At my program, they offer an MS and a MA, and both degrees require doing a thesis. The only difference between them is that the MS requires that I take courses in E&M, experimental physics, etc. The MA is more flexible in that I can pretty much take any physics courses I want. </p>
<p>The MA degree is alot more attractive to me since I don't want to take E&M, experimental physics, or the other required courses. Also, since I want to do research involving computations/numerics, taking a course in numerical methods would count towards the unit requirements for the MA degree, but not for the MS degree (the only out-of-dept courses that count are in engineering).</p>
<p>I don't know what kind of job I'd want to apply for after I get my master's, but I will probably look for statistician, actuary, programmer, materials engineer positions. Also, for personal reasons, I will look heavily into finding a job in Asia, such as in Japan, Hong Kong, China, etc.</p>
<p>Is there a big difference between an MS vs MA to employers?</p>