Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/6/2009

Question
Hello Sir,
I am a 28 yr old enlisted Airman, I want to go to OTS. If the Air Force won't take me I will apply to OCS. Here is my problem:
I have a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from an unaccredited college. I was going to get almost the same degree from Liberty University (B.S. Religion). I recently found out that Liberty Theological seminary will accept my unaccredited degree for entrance into a Masters program (M.A. Theological studies). If I get the Masters would it limit my military career? Should I just get another accredited B.S.? Or will having a higher degree help? Will having a M.A. but no B.A. matter? Or is it better to get a B.A. because to is general. I would like an M.A for my own prides sake because it sounds good, but if the AF really wants a B.A. I dont want the fact that I don't have an accredited one come back to haunt me in the future.

Answer
Nate,
Getting your M.A. first is a very, very good idea.  An AF officer is expected to get a Master's Degree at some time in his career, usually around the 8-9 year point when you're coming up for promotion to Major.  So you'll need to get one anyway.

Your Master's degree trumps all else.  If you apply for OTS with an accredited Master's Degree, they won't even care where your Bachelor's Degree came from or how many B.A.'s you have.  I too entered the AF with an accredited M.A. and you won't believe the advantages you'll have.  You'll get all the good assignments and good jobs because your bosses will just naturally assume you're smarter than their other Lieutenants and Captains.  Having a Master's is almost mandatory to make Major.  Promotion boards (I have sat on several) not only look to see if you HAVE a Master's Degree, but also HOW LONG you have had it.  The earlier in your career you received it shows ambition and dedication.  My records show that I have a Bachelor's Degree, but in 30 years nobody has ever asked me about it. Everybody is more impressed with my Master's or Ph.D.s.  As an officer, it's just a given that everyone has a Bachelor's Degree or they wouldn't be an officer, so the subject just never comes up.  Having a Master's is just like owning a Mercedes, everybody's impressed with what you're currently driving, nobody cares that your previous car was a Ford.

Plus, already having a Master's Degree almost guarantees you'll be accepted into OTS.  It doesn't matter what field of study your degree is in, just as long as you have one.

I'd say you have an excellent plan, getting your Master's from Liberty, then entering OTS.

I'm impressed that you have such ambition.  Thanks for wanting to continue serving your country, especially as an officer.
I'd wish you luck, but it sounds like you're a man who won't need to depend on luck, so I'll just wish you all the best!
Colonel H