Torn on Graduate Certificate

I finish my MS in Quantitative Management in May 2023. I am potentially interested in pursuing a graduate certificate in one of the following fields: Statistics, Operations Research, or Financial Engineering.

I know I do not want to do a third masters degree and finding grad certs in these fields is difficult (aside from statistics). These are what I have narrowed things down to:

Statistics Graduate Certificates:

NC State University
https://statistics.sciences.ncsu.edu/graduate/online-programs/applied-statistics-and-data-management-certificate/

Texas A&M, College Station
https://online.stat.tamu.edu/certificate-options/

Missouri University of Science and Tech
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mst/arts-sciences-education/statistics/grad-cert

Operations Research Graduate Certificate:

Western New England University
https://www1.wne.edu/academics/graduate/graduate-operations-research-certificate.cfm

Financial Engineering Graduate Certificates:

Penn State World Campus
https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-financial-engineering-certificate/overview

Missouri University of Science and Tech
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mst/kummer/financial-engineering/grad-cert

So far, I have applied to NC State and Missouri S&T for their Statistics Grad Certs and then WNE for their Operations Research Grad Cert.

Ultimately, I doubt I would use any of them for professional purposes. The field of financial engineering is highly competitive and usually reserved for folks with PhD's from top tier universities. I am leaning towards Statistics or Operations Research because they tie in nicely with my Quantitative Management degree.

Any input/advice? Any other Stats or OR grad certs that you all know of?

 

I think you would waste time and money to get a graduate certificate for a third Master's. If you decide to work for someone else, then go for a Ph.D or a Doctorate. A Ph.D. can be used to teach or SME consultancy. If your goal is to start a business, then quit school... Pick up classes online for learning for free to gain skills and knowledge to run a business.

My primary reason for earning a Ph.D. at the University of the Cumberlands is for personal enrichment. Sometimes, I realize this is a stupid reason and want to quit focusing on a start-up; but I am afraid one day I will regret it.

 

Have you looked at Columbia University's OR Cert?
URL: https://www.cvn.columbia.edu/program/columbia-university-operations-research-certification-certificate

 

I have but want to avoid spending $30K on a certificate program. I'd like to stay at $10K to $15K since I'll likely pay out of pocket.

 

Good luck with your decision.

I was planning to start my third master's in January. However, I have decided to get a grad certificate at the same school, which would only be 4 courses instead of 10. I cannot commit to another degree. However, the way things are looking with my adjunct gigs for Spring 2023, I doubt I'll even have time to pursue a grad certificate.

 

I feel that. I work 45-50 hours per week, am taking 11 credit hours in my MS program, have a wife and kids, plus teaching responsibilities. Thankfully, I'd finish my MS prior to starting a graduate certificate and can go back to take (1) course at a time.

 

Not much to add. I did get admitted to NC State for Fall 2023.

 

Congrats! For me, I choose to learn Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Coursera University for FREE. This is my plan for the next 12 months.

 

Looks awesome! I have free access to some things through Duke on Coursera but I have not done any of it yet.

 

Yeah, I think my path is a good career pivot into Data Science along with my Ph.D. at the University of the Cumberlands in IT specializing in Blockchain and Data is good enough for me to become an independent SME (subject matter expert) consulting.

 

Good luck in your career pivot, TEKMAN! I'm certain you'll do great!

 

I'm a consultant now and I really enjoy it, but I don't think I could handle the stress of being independent. It's nice to have a team to focus on business development.

 

As you said, financial engineering is very competitive and is only useful for limited situation such as derivative pricing and risk management, etc. Probably not a good idea generally.

An operations research program is not likely to add much on top of you quantitative management degree. If your job requires a lot statistics or you really passionate about it, then go for it. Here is another one:

https://online.arizona.edu/programs/graduate-certificate/online-graduate-certificate-statistics-graduate-interdisciplinary

Ultimately it's important to figure out your goals. If for career advancement, probably just some leadership courses and then focus on networking with what you already got. If for teaching, then DBA or PhD may make sense.

 

I won't give you specific advice, but you really should work from the goal backwards. What will it look like when you're done? For my coaching clients, I often ask these 4 questions:

1. What do want to do everyday?
2. With whom?
3. Where? (This can be geographic or location, like working from home, being outdoors, etc.)
4. How much money do you need to make?

I wouldn't venture into any degree, certificate, or certification program without being clear on the desired outcome.

 

I have decided I am going to pursue a Grad Cert. in Applied Statistics at NC State. My reason is two-fold:

1) I think it would help me professionally be able to better understand some statistical concepts that I want to apply to my career path.

2) It will allow me to better teach some of the analytics courses I am going to build/develop for the local community college. I think it will also open up doors academically speaking for me.

Nonetheless, I'm going to go for it and then I'll call it quits as a student. Lol

 

No doctorate?

 

I'd love to eventually pursue a doctorate. However, my twins turn 6 next year and my daughter turns 4. I am getting to where they'll start slowly being involved in extracurriculars and I want to be there for those.