Is a PhD worth it

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by AdamJLaw, Sep 14, 2007.

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  1. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    I am considering pursuing a PhD in Educational Administration and Policy so I can teach at a traditional B&M school. I was looking at salary schedule at it looks like my starting salary would be something like 60,000 a year. I will be making more then that by the time I earn my PhD. Is it worth it to earn that degree from simply a financial standpoint? I have heard about consulting as another way to earn money but how much would that add?
     
  2. Zaya

    Zaya New Member

    From a financial stand point, I don’t think PhD is worth the effort. However, from an intellectual point of view and personal growth, I would say that is the best thing you can do. Also, most university will require a PhD.

    The excitement and challenge of scholarly purist is price-less (in my view). The whole process of coming up with a project, designing, collecting and analyzing the data is very satisfying. Keeping in mind that there will be some hard times.

    Finally, in order to teach in a B&M school, you might face some stiff competition from none-DL PhD holders, especially in the field of education. But, there is always a chance.

    The final decision should be yours, and I wish you the best.
     
  3. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    schools

    I am looking at doing a program that has residencies. I know it can be a hassel but there are many good schools with programs that are mostly DL. I do know that trying to get a tradtional job without a tradtional degree can be difficult.
     
  4. PaulC

    PaulC Member

    Some doctoral programs cost $20k and some cost $60k. Trying to calculate a return on investment obviously requires plugging in the relevant numbers. Which end of the cost spectrum do you expect to be on. Do you want to be able to consider only your salary as a full time teacher as your factor for calculating payback? ROI can't be validates without considering the opportunity costs of not choosing some other path.

    Your question is legitimate but has no simple answer. It was worth it for me, and continues to be, primarily in more options and opportunities, but also provides income streams that would not have been there without it. But I cannot still say what my real ROI is.
     
  5. lchemist

    lchemist New Member

    But if you can get a fellowship or assistanship, usually the tuition and fees are waived.

    Luis
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That's great for young single people who are on campus, and I have a friend doing just that. Unfortunately, this is essentially impossible for distance learners. Besides, if you have a family, the stipend isn't nearly enough.

    -=Steve=-
     
  7. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    If you can phinnish one that is regionally accredited, then yes, it's worth it. :eek:
     
  8. foobar

    foobar Member

    Something to consider - the country is awash with school administrators - superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, or for that matter, 2nd grade and kindergarten teachers with Ed.Ds or Ph.D.s in Educational Administration and Policy. There is a LOT of competition for B&M college teaching jobs.
     
  9. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Foobar is on to something. If you're talking about an elementary school or high school position then it would probably be better to earn a BS degree in Mathematics than a PhD in Education. Where I live, everyone has a Masters degree but the question is, "What are you qualified to teach?" The most sought after credential is a degree in Math. If you're looking for a college teaching position, even PhDs can't be assured of an adjunct position. There's too much competition around here. If you're willing to relocate to a less popular geographic location then you'll have an easier time of it.
     
  10. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    PhD school

    Does the school matter that much? I was looking into colombia university's PhD program (yes the colombia in NY) I know it is ambitious but will any regionally accredited school due or if it is from colombia will that add weight to my resume.
     
  11. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    It's impossible to answer your question because there are too many unknown variables. Answer the following:
    • What do you want to do with a doctoral degree?
    • What do you want a doctoral degree in and why?
    • Do you want to teach as an adjunct or as a full-time professor?
    • Do you want to do ongoing research (that's what full-time professors do at major universities).
    • What level of school do you want to teach e.g. Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral students?
     
  12. foobar

    foobar Member

    A degree from Columbia will make you stand out in most places. It is highly respected.

    However, where a degree is from may not mean much if you are competing with similarly credentialed individuals with whom a school of education may already have a relationship. There are a lot of doctorally-credentialed full-time elementary/secondary school administrators and teachers that are already doing adjunct work, or that supervise student teachers or field placements. Most B&M schools offering the Ph.D. will have a LOT of local alums that would prefer to teach at the college level.
     
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef



    Kizmet is right. If your PhD is in administration, you are going to be qualified as an ADMINISTRATOR, not a teacher. You really have to choose between a subject or administration.


    Something you can do, is look around the web site www.higheredjobs.com and get a feel for what colleges are looking for from an applicant. If you want to (for example) be a biology teacher at a community college, you can search those jobs and you can see exactly what is needed in a candidate. Then, you can search for biology teachers at state colleges, universities, etc. Since these are real job postings, you are getting a chance to really see what would be the best path for you. That really is a solid way to "educate" yourself and answer the question of "is it worth it?"

    Perhaps a PhD in whatever your masters is in would be worth considering, since it really shows you to be a content expert in that area. When you jump around between fields, it may make it harder for an employer to see what your strengths are. Just my two cents.
     
  14. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    From the consulting point of view, being "Dr. Jones" instead of "Mr. Jones" makes a huge credibility difference in some consulting specialties regardless of what the Dr. is in.

    Many of the most knowledgeable consultants have a master's + experience but they still miss gigs that go to "Dr. Jones" who must be more qualified because he is a "Dr."

    As for the PhD in Ed Admin. - are you wanting to teach educational administration? If you're wanting to teach anything else then an Ed Admin PhD or EdD isn't the doctorate you'll need. Try to keep your doctorate in the field you will be teaching in if you can.

    Also keep in mind that, as has been said, a lot of education folks have their Dr. in EdAdmin -- there's going to be competition there. Now, a PhD in applied stats... that shouldn't have much competition. ☺
     
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    By the way, there is no school called Colombia in New York. The university to which you're referring is spelled "Columbia".

    (I realize it's considered bad form to criticize things like this online, but I'm not trying to be obnoxious -- if you're serious about applying to top notch universities then details will matter.)

    -=Steve=-
     
  16. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    Details

    I fully understand that the details do matter but they don't matter on this forum. Obviously if I were applying I would triple check everything.
     
  17. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    What do you want to do with a PhD? I paid about 7K for my masters and it has gotten me adjunct positions that have paid me about 35K in two years. A PhD will open more doors. If you don't want to teach, what do you want it for?
     
  18. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    You asked about whether it would be worth it from a strictly financial viewpoint. There is a simple answer and that is: No! How do I know this? You measure the strictly financial worth of an educational undertaking by calculating the future salary on the new job times the number of years left on your career (after graduation). (For the sake of simplification, we assume that your salary just keeps pace with inflation, so that eliminates complex present value equations). Then you subtract your total tuition bill. Keep that number in mind. Then you calculate your salary at your current job and multiply times the number of years left on your career, again assuming for simplification purposes that your salary will just keep up with inflation. What's the higher number? :D

    But the big clue here is: you think you will make more than $60,000 in your current job by the time you would have otherwise completed a doctorate which will lead to a $60,000 a year job.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 16, 2007
  19. glimeber

    glimeber New Member

    Now that my friends is the most succinct and truthful thing said on this forum in years.:D
     
  20. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    Money

    I do want to teach. I really enjoy school so the work isn't a problem. I am interested in what doors will be open to me after earning the degree. Also what doors will be open to me because the degree is from Columbia rather then from say, Univeristy of South Africa.
     

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