<p>My company did not care whether or not my MS (which they paid for) included research or not, but I could not find a local program willing to allow a part-timer into a research-based degree. It simply was not an option they would entertain.</p>
<p>Global,</p>
<p>A big part of the difference I have seen is that (IME) a research-based program teaches you more. I did not do research for my masters (got mine the same way you did), but while most of my last two departments had their MS, all the top people (not by rank, the ones everyone went to with the tough problems) had done a research thesis for their degree.</p>
<p>I am pretty much looking to do what the original poster did. Just finished BSE degree, finished with strong enough grades where I would be a decent candidate for MS programs, but I’m not looking to spend that kind of money. The company I hired in with will cover most of the cost of a MS degree, so I’m planning on going that route. I haven’t taken the GRE, so I am planning on just starting as a non-degree student and going from there.</p>
<p>Just seems like the best route for me. I have a good job with an extremely strong company, the degree shouldn’t cost me a whole lot, and I have little desire to partake in ‘research.’</p>
It can vary tremeendously, but many small companies will be unable to cover significant educational costs. Most large companies will cover a relevent MS, but may have limits on the amount they will pay in a year (mine covers 100%). There will generally be a clause that requires you to repay the money if you quit or are fired for cause within a certain period of time after ending class (1 year at my company), but if you are laid off or otherwise involuntarily seperated you are not required to repay anything - in this case it would be up to you to secure your own funding to finish the degree.</p>