Do I get another degree to teach at a CC?

I have a master's degree in economics and would like to teach at a community college and was hoping I could get some advice on how to land a full-time CC job.

At the moment I am teaching overseas in a private college, but I would like to return to the U.S. and teach econ at a CC someday.

In order to maximize my chances for a full-time tenure track CC job I have thought of the following possible options:

1. Get a doctorate (probably a DBA, with a focus on an econ issue if possible). I don't have the finances to spend too much money on the degree, so I was thinking a doctorate from a DETC school, but would a DETC degree work? Or must it be RA?

OR

2. Get a second master's degree (like an MBA) to give me another field to teach, thus making me a more attractive candidate.

OR

3. Take just 18 hours of graduate level courses in a different field. This would still be enough to allow me to teach another field and also save myself the time and money of getting another degree.

OR

4. None of the above and just build up as much teaching experience as possible.

I would appreciate any input I could get. Thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure most CC would require your doctorate to be RA in order for that degree to be considered in the hiring process.

 

I would go with option 2 or 3. Just remember that many MBAs do not include 18 credits in a single area. They tend to be more of a general degree. I would guess that an MS in Finance or Accounting would fit nicely with your degree in econ.

 

A MA in Economics is a hard sell nowadays so I think an upgrade would be good idea. If money is an issue, I would go for option 3 but would complete it with a professional certification such as a CPA, CFA, CMA or CFP. Just 18 credits in finance or accounting would be a hard sell as you have so many candidates with professional certifications.

An MBA wouldn't really help unless it is from a top tier school so I believe professional certifications are most cost effective. A DBA from a DETC school or even a low tier RA school wouldn't really help much either unless it is in a field in high demand.

In few words, I would finish a graduate certificate in Finance, Accounting or Statistics and would work on a related in demand professional certification. Most CCs are professional oriented and always looking for people with professional credentials.

 

Option 3 most likely will not work for a teaching position in a CA state CC (unless they enhance or complement your econ degree).

 

I wish getting a full-time job in a CC only depended on degrees. I have a RA brick-and-mortar PhD in Computer Science and I could use some job-seeking advice on CC employment for the time I'm back on that market.

 

If money is an object, you might try for your doctorate in economics at the University of South Africa. It's by dissertation only and I've heard they're relatively inexpensive.

 

I like the idea of getting a grad certificate in accounting/finance, provided there are 18 credits in the program. I believe that someone with an MA in econ who could also teach accounting would be looked very favorably upon for teaching opportunities.

Shawn

 

For those who offered advice, thank you.