In the state of Connecticut the M. A. is considered to be the higher degree. The students that will go on for a Ph. D. or wish to work for the Department of Environmental Protection pursue the M. A., whereas the students who are getting the masters to teach in the public schools (which is required in Connecticut) usually pursue the M. S. At my university both degrees offer a thesis and non-thesis option. It seems kind of backwards to me, but it is the way things are done here.
Tiffany M. Doan, Ph. D. Associate Professor Department of Biology Central Connecticut State University 1615 Stanley St New Britain, CT 06050 USA phone: 860-832-2676 fax: 860-832-2594 www.biology.ccsu.edu/doan "There is grandeur in this view of life. . . from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." --Charles Darwin On Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:13:40 -0700, Priya Shukla <[email protected]> wrote: >Hello Ecologgers! > >I'm wrapping up my fourth-year in environmental sciences at UC Davis and >have been looking at graduate schools. I notice that different schools will >offer either an M.S. or an M.A. degree. While I've heard there isn't a true >difference between the two degree types, I've noticed that many government >positions require an M.S. degree. I was hoping some of you could provide me >with some insight on the difference between the two degrees -- if there even >is one at all. Also, all else equal, would you hire an individual with an >M.S. over an M.A.? > >Many thanks! >-- Priya >=========================================================================
