As I am finishing up my Masters of Science in Science Education from Montana State University, I am debating over whether or not to pursue a second masters. Currently, I am teaching upper level earth and physical sciences at the high school school, and enjoy it...not to mention the pay is good and will get a lot better once I complete my MS. As I gain experience teaching I will be gearing myself towards CC or 2-yr college teaching. As many of you have mentioned over the years and from digging a little on the topic, I realize that I am a shoe in for any adjunct position at a CC. Which is fine, getting your foot in the door and gaining experience at this level is a start... However, I want to eventually make that transition into CC teaching full-time. Though I am little concerned about the perception of my Master's degree. While it is a Master of Science in Science Education, the courses and purpose is geared towards curriculum and instructional practices integrated into subject area science courses. For example, I took a Global Warming/Climate Change course last spring...I learned a few new things regarding the topic/area, however it was designed around curriculum and instructional idealolgy for the purposes of teaching the subject at your teaching/professional level. Which is interesting and why I choose the degree program to enhance these areas and to improve my skills in the profession..not to mention getting a larger salary increase was a factor too But I am missing a little of learning more about the actual subjects... I want to learn more about earth sciences... To my real question and concern... As I come closer to the conclusion of the degree program (< 9 mnths), I am concerned about the challenges I might face regarding landing a FT position at a CC. I might not be really marketable for a FT position because my masters is a "science education" degree ... which might put me into an isolated category of only teaching "educational" courses and not in-field courses. Would a second masters (that would be considered in-field) be overkill in the post-secondary level of academia??? How would hiring committee look at a candidate with two masters, one in science education and a science in-field??? There is a degree program I am looking into, the Mississippi State Univeristy offers a 95% online masters degree called Master of Science in Geoscience. What do you all think??? Cheers! jay
It sounds like you just about answer your question to follow. If they'd would see such a considerable difference between the two that they might not even accept the former alone, they couldn't really think that holding both degrees was overkill. I'd only be impressed, myself, by somebody so multiskilled. Another option, of course, would be to head straight for a doctorate. Which could be in education, education and science again together somehow, or an in-field, if you could edge your way in... Good luck! (We need more good science educators.)
I'm working on my second master's degree myself, so I am obviously a little biased, but I would be shocked to hear of a community college academic thinking multiple master's degrees were "overkill." The science education degree sounds like it is definitely for teaching children, so unless you want to pursue a PhD/EdD and aim for teaching at a teachers' college, your second master's sounds like a good plan.
Re: Re: Master's degree overkill??? We need more good educators,period. (I,unfortunately, will never get that opportunity. However,at my local cc,there are a few multiple master professors.And they still only teach the "basic" classes,so it depends a good deal probably on school and location.
Re: Re: Re: Master's degree overkill??? YMMV = Your milegage may vary Everything is institutional dependant.
I work at a large research institution. When I see CVs for faculty positions from those who have worked at CC's, generally they have a Master's in the subject they teach - so I think you are right on target about getting a Science-focused and not Ed-focused Masters. I also think more than 2 Masters is overkill.
I have always thought that in academia you want to complete a vertical so to speak before embarking on new lateral paths - especially once you get to the masters level. The incremental value add tends to be vertical - obtaining a phd rather than branching off to another masters.
I am not getting dragged down this road again Multiple masters...great idea...multiple masters + PhD...better idea.
It was a joke, Randell! Surely you noticed the number of master's degrees of the signature line of the educated derelict you responded to for claiming that more than one master's is overkill.
Hey Nobycane, don't worry at all, the decision you made regarding the second masters degree is absolutely fine. A person possessing double masters’ degree is great. If I personally come across a person who holds double masters degree, I would definitely have a good impression about that person. So, I think, you should go for your second masters without giving a second thought to it.
