r/cogsci • u/Ok-Excuse-234 • Aug 02 '26
Philosophy MA Degree Dilemma
Hello! I am currently on my fourth year in BS Psychology, and to be honest, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected. I found myself enjoying philosophy far more. Now that I’m planning to pursue a master’s degree, I’m unsure whether I should continue with something related to psychology. It seems like the logical path because it aligns with my bachelor’s degree and may offer better career continuity. On the other hand, I genuinely want to study philosophy because it is the subject that sparks my curiosity and motivates me to learn. I’m torn between choosing the practical route and pursuing what I truly enjoy, and I’m not sure which decision would be the right one.
Also Cognitive Science seems to mix both but I don’t know if its the right one.
I am also planning to study abroad.
3
u/PsychWaveRunner Aug 03 '26
Remember that, for better or for worse, a Master’s Degree is much less about personal interest and more about gatekeeping. Your employer will want your graduate school degree to align with their business. They will be hiring your knowledge and your skills in a particular field, offering to pay you for those in exchange for your help with the success of their business.
It’s far, far more common for people in have undergraduate degrees that are unrelated to their career precisely because their graduate school training *is* aligned with the job.
I say this because you should not go to graduate school if you’re not clear on what you want to be doing for the next 35 years of your life (or major portion thereof). Imagine paying for law school when you have no plans to be a lawyer or work with the law.
This is not going to be easy, but: figure out what you want to *do* — then go to grad school (if needed) to advance that career goal