Hello everyone. I'm kind of in a dilemma. I have a MS in Criminal Justice and MPA degrees both completed online and about 10 years work experience in corrections/law enforcement. I recently was accepted into a Ph.D in Political Science program at my local university however something else also popped up. After several years, our one an only law school will be offering a evening/part time based program beginning in the fall. For years I was interested in pursuing the JD but we never had one for working adults, now we do. But after reading the curriculum and timeline, man not sure if I have the necessary time/resources to manage all of that. My military TA would cover the Ph.D. program after completion of law school I would still owe a chunk of money. Kind of stuck Ph.D or JD?
Short term goals is to remain in the field and perhaps move up into an administrative/policy making position in government. Long term goals are to teach. I've been told from people that JD opens up a lot more opportunities, not sure if thats true or not. For me in taking this next step, the logistics factor (like time, money, resources) would be probably pay a big part.
Understood. Well, since you say this... ...I think I have to "vote" for the PhD in Political Science. -=Steve=-
If the people that have the job you want have the JD degree, get the JD. If you intend to teach sooner rather than after a long career, get the PhD. If you see teaching as a kind of "working retirement", then what's important (and often overlooked) is that you progress as far in your chosen field as possible. After all, if you're 10 years into your career, you have 20-30 years left before your transition. Good luck! --Fortunato
I'd say take the law degree. With a Masters and a JD you can still teach, but a JD can do things that a PhD can't (like practice law). The JD is more versatile so I say go to law school. (either way, good luck)
A lawyer friend of mine was an adjunct teacher at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC and was at a career crossroads. He was interested in becoming a faculty member but was told he would need a PhD. He applied to a doctoral program in political science but was not accepted. Fortunately his law practice picked up and lived happily ever after.
Take the law degree if you want to be a lawyer. Take the PhD if you want to become a specialist and expert in your field.
I don't know how valid this is, but when I was an undergrad, I met with our career and counseling people on campus to discuss various grad school prospects. Because I was a history major, law school came up. (Not by me, but by them...) We got into a discussion of the different degrees, and they seemed to indicate that a MA/PhD would have been better for me because, according to them, a PhD is higher than a JD. Technically they're both doctorates (Doctor of Philosophy vs. Doctor of Laws), yet I never hear lawyers referred to as doctor. Personally, I'd go for the PhD. Maybe I'm a little snot, but I think it would be fun to be known as "Doctor Matt".
If teaching is in your future plans, I would say go for the Ph.D. In the "traditional" academic field probably most closely related to law (Criminal Justice), a J.D. is usually not considered acceptable for a tenure position, although the standards of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences allow a small percentage of tenured CJ faculty to have a J.D. as long as they also have a Master's degree in CJ. My personal observation is that I see an awful lot of underemployed lawyers.
Funny you should mention that. At my undergraduate university, Christopher Newport University, the chair of the Political Science deparment has a J.D., not a Ph.D. Professor Greenlee is definitely tenured. He's been there for years.
Quick question guys. Does anyone know of any online doctorate courses in public policy, political science and so forth? I'm interested in taking a course or two, perhaps electives would be good.
