2 Master's Degrees...Good / Bad / Suspicious??

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nobycane, Dec 12, 2004.

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  1. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    I was wondering...if having 2 Master's degrees that were completed within 2 years (or less) of one another would raise some red flags?

    I am thinking as soon as I finishing them (if I go that route) that I would think about leaving the public school system and head towards the community college level of academia (which is really what I want to do).

    I thought about a Ph.D. program...but I don't want to really go that route...I can get two graduate degrees completed faster than I could a Ph.D.
    Plus, I do not want to spend the rest of my life in school as a student :p

    My plan is as follows: I am already into Excelsior College's MLS program...(into it 15 hours so far out of 33). Which I can complete the program 1 year from this coming summer (summer 2006). Then next fall, start Mississippi State University's MS in Geoscience (DL program)...which takes 2 years anyways, which I would finish it up in Fall 2007.

    I can handle the work and the over lap........I want the education and the degree's.

    If and when I begin applying to Comm. College's for faculty positions...do you think this would enhance my credentials or may cause issues?

    Thanks
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    My first thought is that it would be positive. The MLS is pretty general but I assume it gives enough specific credits to allow you to teach in one or two areas. The geoscience degree is more specific and would add at least one more potential area for teaching employment. The combination of the two is interesting and might cause some to ask questions (to the effect of "What's the connection?") but I recognize that many people have diverse interests and there needn't be any real connection other than your interest. I'd be curious to know, if you were to pursue a PhD program, what area would you choose? Good luck in any case.
    Jack
     
  3. cogent

    cogent New Member

    Two Grad Degrees

    I can speak on this with some authority: BA, MA, Ed.S., and MBA... and I teach fulltime at a community college. Everytime I was on a faculty hiring committee a person with a doctorate had to prove he or she was not going to be arrogant and/or expect "research facilities." I just hired a guy with two masters degrees for a fulltime slot over a person with a doctorate. The doctorally degreed person was very well qualified but many of us felt she would be BORED at our community college. The other fellow we hired had a ton of community college experience.

    Unless you feel you have a burning desire, and I do mean BURNING desire, for a doctorate get another grad degree in another field. It will give you another teaching area and make you an interesting person.

    Although I teach computers fulltime, I also teach a speech class and can teach journalism, political science, and marketing as well.

    Best of luck to you... And if you compare the salaries, you might be pleasantly surprised at what we make at community colleges!
     
  4. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    Very much will depend on what content area you want to teach in. Since many grad programs allow at least a little transfer from a previous program, completing a second MA/MSc in less than 2 years shouldn't surprise too many folks. Remember, summer '06 to Fall '07 is more than a year in an academic calendar -- there are four semesters in there plus some "short sessions" (fall 06, spring '07, summer '07, fall '07) and most folks would call that four semesters "two academic years".

    If you want to teach in the CC systems make certain that your MLS from Excelsior contains 18 related hours or more in some subject that you want to teach and is not a true "generalist" degree with subjects in a wide variety of fields. It'd also be helpful if those 18 hours of content area weren't related to your GeoScience degree. This would allow you additional content area and help the job search.

    Most CC instructor position announcements ask for a masters degree in the subject OR 18 hours of graduate study in the subject. Many committees will prefer the masters over the "18 hours" but for some positions, having a DL degree is going to be a plus; especially for instructional positions that will require distance teaching (increasing rapidly) or DL type learning enhancements such as WebCT.

    I too am planning on two masters though I may well go ahead and get a PhD.
     
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    I spend over seven years full-time in the community colleges and sat on many hiring boards. Your double masters will be an advantage to you. If you complete them within two years of each other, no one will even raise an eyebrow.

    CoachTurner's advice about unit distribution is very sound and would give you more options in your teaching.

    Tony Pina
    Coordinator of Learning Technologies
    Northeastern Illinois University
     
  6. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    thanks for replying...

    My goal for the one masters' degree from Excelsior College, my concentration/thesis topics will deal strictly with climatological issues with global warming and climate shift changes.

    While the other masters degree, from Mississippi State University, which is basically Geosciences (Meterorlogy, Geology, Oceanography, Astronomy).
    It is a Master of Science in Geoscience (TIG: Teachers in Geoscience program).

    In your opinions, what would this scenario look like on a CV towards a CC position?
     
  7. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    It seems to me that you're heading for a pair of degrees very specialized science heavy and specifically in climatology. At least, that's what I read here.

    I'd caution that you should make certain that your transcript shows at least 18 hours titled with a basic science area and not meteorology or climatology as the subject area.

    I say this because the demand for CC faculty in basic sciences who hold a masters is much higher than the demand for specialized faculty with a masters. Also, far more CCs have programs in the basic sciences where fewer have climatology concentrations at that level.

    Also, you can and should try to get some platform teaching experience if possible. One possible slightly related source of that experience might be the Red Cross. They have these folks presenting "Community Disaster Education" programs which relate to all manner of natural hazards (an understanding of climatology would certainly benefit someone presenting natural hazards education) and they have a great training program through their "Disaster Institutes". It doesn't pay in money but it's a good experience and helps the community.
     
  8. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    I would say that might be a good compliment to my high school teaching experience ...

    thanks
     
  9. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    I have two master's degrees, but being a Balkanoid I was born suspicious.

    Seriously, this is a really valuable thread and the information on community college teaching just might come in handy for me and for quite a few other posters. Thanks.
     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: Two Grad Degrees

    Committee: Mr. Doe, we see that you have an earned doctorate. You are well qualified in your discipline, however, we have two other candidates who have master's degrees. Both candidates display unusual humility. Can you prove to us that you will not be arrogant?

    :D
     
  11. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Oh oh. Vladica made a funny.
     
  12. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    I found this article that talked about resumes & CV's.....it had an interesting paragraph about colleges hiring PH.D's
    from:http://chronicle.com/jobs/2004/12/2004121701c.htm

    Employer Anxieties About Hiring Ph.D.'s: Many employers fear that job candidates with master's and doctoral degrees are overeducated and undersocialized. They perceive Ph.D.'s in particular as people who are unable to make and meet deadlines, don't work well in teams, and can't communicate in simple, direct terms.

    I found this interesting.....no offense to those on here with Ph.D's...I actually admire those here with them. ;)
     
  13. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Management: Dr. John, I tried to fax this document to Mr. Jones' office, but the line was busy.

    John, PhD: Ummmm, uhhhhhhhh, huh? ;)
     
  14. cogent

    cogent New Member

    Community College Teaching, etc...

    I love Russell's comment! It is actually very very true.

    I would encourage any of you interested in community college teaching and careers to post your questions here. There are many of us that can respond intelligently. I will even respond!



     
  15. levieuxnegre

    levieuxnegre New Member

    I think that having 2 Masters should not cause a problem. Instead, that shows your sense of dedication and achievement...
     
  16. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    That is what I was actually thinking too...

    That having a Ph.D. may be a bit overkill, and probably a bit a intimidating for the interviewer.

    I have gone through a lot of local community college's departmental websites' and observed the faculty's credentials...
    it seems that the percentage of faculty who have Ph.D vs Master's is:
    Ph.D. = 65%
    Master's = 35%

    In my opinion...unless one is going to be a research professor at an university, then a Ph.D. would make sense.

    Though if one's goal is to teach in community college (like myself), then I can imagine that having one or two master degree's would make one's credentials a little more appealing.
     
  17. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    So what would be the limit? If two are good, would three be even better? Or do you start getting into a position where people don't know what you are?

    just wondering

    clint
     
  18. cogent

    cogent New Member

    How to get a teaching job at a C.C.

    First off, teach parttime at a JUCO. That proves you know the mission of a community college. Once you get in as an adjunct, volunteer and get known. People would rather hire friends, you know? A doctorate never, haha, intimidated me. I would always wonder what the heck a Ph.D. was doing interviewing with us. For some down on their luck Ph.D.'s a CC gig is good until something "better" opens up at a university. Nobody wants to be thought of as a jumping off spot. And, frankly many many Ph.D.'s do indeed come across as arrogant. You know, the "You should be honored I deemed you worthy to take a paycheck from... now let me do 'research' and keep the students away from me" type of person.

    Get the JUCO job FIRST, then start adding your education. That way, you can move up the salary scale. For instance, I got hired fulltime here at one of the Maricopa Colleges in Phoenix with a Master of Arts degree. Once hired, I added an Ed.S. and and MBA and have maxed out on the salary scale. I make $1800 less a year than a doctorally qualified faculty. Incidentally, I had never taught parttime at this college. I was hired off an interview. I can also tell you it is the best job I've ever had!

    Good luck!

     
  19. PJFrench

    PJFrench member

    I work in a similar situation albeit in another country. My retirement position is in workplace based vocational education and training at year 1 and year 2 level post high school.

    I have initial qualifications in accounting, banking & finance, engineering, and teaching. You must remember that we follow the UK principle of professional/vocational qualifications being at first degree level, but the tenor of what I am saying applies.

    My next level has been graded professional memberships/licensing akin to say your CPA, PE etc.

    I have then done a 4 year post graduate bachelors of education targetting the methodologies and psychology required to best serve my client base - adult, vocational and continuing education students/trainees.

    The next level is [1] a 48 credit point masters in education specialising in training management and assessment issues; [2] a 72 credit point masters in accounting covering 3 specific topic areas of personal interest and teaching opportunities, with 2 advanced research modules.

    I am now 8/14th the way through a general stream [non speciality] MBA which [1] reinforces and updates my competencies, and [2] fills some gaps.

    The result - I never have to look for work, nor do I have to negotiate what I am paid. In 3 days a week I earn more than the average Dean but without his baggage, entourage, and problems.

    There are 3 things to success in this area:

    1. Passion about what you teach that averts criticism,
    2. Broad, reliable and accurate workplace/applied experience of what you teach that keeps people respectful,
    3. An academic record that keeps people on their toes.

    The only real risk in this area, is by doing a doctorate that teaches you more and more about less and less, until in the end you know everything about nothing.
     
  20. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    My experiences in the community college arena were different. In California, the ratio tended to be 65-75% Masters and 25-35% PhD. A large amount (perhaps the majority) of our PhD holders were faculty hired full-time with masters degrees who completed their doctorates after they were hired. Several of our new hires either had two masters degrees or completed a second masters after they were hired.

    We hired some ABDs (doctoral program completed "all but dissertation") who later completed their degrees. A few left--most stayed as full-time community college faculty (many of which had higher salaries than their university counterparts).

    We also hired some PhDs who had retired from other professions. One retired police chief with two masters and a PhD became an excellent administration of justice professor.

    Tony Pina
    Northeastern Illinois University
     

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