You do not need credentials to be a professional photographer!!! I highly, highly, highly, suggest you save the $10,000 and put it toward gear. Read books, journals, editorials, magazines, take a weekend class here or there which many pros and university instructors offer; and mainly shoot, shoot, and shoot! take part time photography classes at a community college. I have many friends that are professional photogs from everything from action sports, to weddings, modeling, travel, and teach at the university level. Some have advanced degrees in photo and some don't. but each one agree that what matters most is building a portfolio, creating a unique style and getting out and making contacts.