Master's Degree

Skipperooni · May 26, 2018, 03:21

Hello, everyone.

I have a Bachelor's of Science degree in chemistry and physics. I will have a Master of Science degree in physics by May of next year. I recently applied to the NuPOC program. It sounds interesting.

I am wondering if there is any benefit in joining the NuPOC program with a master's degree. A higher degree results in a higher pay grade for government jobs. Is it the same for a Nuclear Submarine Officer?

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Skippereeno

MMM · May 26, 2018, 08:34

Have you looked at the program? Here's from their webpage (with a 1 second search):

Be commissioned as an Ensign, U.S. Navy upon graduation from OCS with a designator which is dependent upon the individual 's desires and/or the needs of the Navy and, upon appointment, serve four years from the date of commissioning, or the minimum service requirement associated with training for the new community, whichever is longer. Should an applicant fail to complete OCS for any reason other than physical disqualification, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of this section shall apply. (https://www.navycs.com/officer/nupoc.html)

Does that answer your question?

Skipperooni · May 26, 2018, 12:09

It doesn't say anything about having an advanced degree, but I am assuming that having one is meaningless.

MMM · May 26, 2018, 12:35

It doesn't change what your entry pay rate is. If you stay in long enough, it just means you're a step up for advancement for LCDR and up.

spekkio · May 26, 2018, 01:55

Quote from: Skipperooni on May 26, 2018, 12:09
It doesn't say anything about having an advanced degree, but I am assuming that having one is meaningless.

You are correct. If you have a master's, you're just over-qualified for the position.

Quote from: MMM on May 26, 2018, 12:35
It doesn't change what your entry pay rate is. If you stay in long enough, it just means you're a step up for advancement for LCDR and up.

Having a master's doesn't matter for LCDR or CDR. You do need to have JPME phase I complete prior to a command tour, and that's typically done with a master's program. If you are doing good things at sea the Navy will get you into JPME.

Skipperooni · May 26, 2018, 02:12

That's what I figured, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks for your reply.

MMM · May 26, 2018, 06:17

To be clear, there are officer positions that will start you out at O-2 with a Master's degree. Nuke just isn't one of them.