Howdy folks! I'm about six weeks into my 7th year of teaching, and I'm starting to realize I need to look elsewhere. As much as I love teaching, thanks to our ignorant lawmakers in DC, it's become more of a paper pushing job than an instructional one. As a result, I am considering leaving my full-time teaching gig at the end of the year and possibly returning to school full time to work on my doctorate, and I'm trying to narrow it down. Since I have two graduate degrees already, I'm wondering which direction I could take. I do have the one degree in education, and I've been looking at PhDs in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. I like the whole policy aspect. Similarly, since my other degree is partially in PolySci, I thought I might go the PhD in Public Policy route. Both could lead to different careers, and both could lead to my involvement in the educational field in a different manner. I'm just trying to figure out which path to take. The PhD in Ed could allow me to move up to an administrative position in which I could make positive change. The PhD in PP could also allow me to move up, though I wouldn't be eligible for administrative credentials. However, the public policy route could make me more attractive to get a full-time teaching gig at the local community college where I'm already adjuncting. (The current guy has an MA in History and a MA in Public Policy... he's set to retire soon.) I suppose I'm just thinking "out loud" and would appreciate the help of the forum in A) talking it out and B) learning more about each field at the doctoral level. Thanks in advance for all of your help! Matt
Check out NCU's CAGS in Education. You can take 6 courses and once you finish them, you get a certificate. It is a post masters certificate program that will apply fully to an NCU PhD or EdD. Northcentral University Catalog I mention it because you can dip your toe into the NCU program without fully enrolling in their PhD program. The course work is all applicable to your current profession as well.
Matt, you sound like a shoe in for that full time professor gig at your CC. This would be especially true if you held a doctorate. I would go with at doctorate from a B&M institution that offers online degrees. That would make you even more attractive. A doctorate takes a long time though, I've been going 1 1/2 years and I'm not half done with my classes.
If you're annoyed at pushing paper, I fail to see how administration is going to make you happier than you are now. Less student contact, more paper and managerial responsibility. Go public policy and aim at a career change.
Gosh Matt. I think full time at the CC is ok, but you don't need a doctorate for that. How do you feel about your adjunct job now? I'm not going to lie, ft CC work is a cush job. BUT, it's filled with frustrations like any job. I worry that in 7 years you'll still be a teacher with a new set of "I wish I could make a change" comments. I say go for administration. (either higher ed or k-12) I also think this is a good time, you won't be "too teachery" for them If you wait, you may miss out. There's a fine line between having experience and being considered past you time. Do it while you're in your prime and still fired up.
Thanks folks! When I mentioned the admin position, I wasn't looking at a principal job. I was thinking more along the lines of a curriculum specialist or something similar. The problem is most of those positions require an administrative credential, even though they're really not administrative positions. I was looking at the PhD in Ed Leadership because of the policy aspect. The same goes with the PhD in Public Policy. I'm actually looking at law school too. I have a friend from high school who was a dean of admissions for the law school at the College of William and Mary. The only downside to law school is that they put such an emphasis on your undergrad GPA, and not so much your graduate GPA. I mean, I was in undergrad TEN years ago... Both the PhD in PP and the JD would help me tremendously with a community college gig. Plus, they could also open up other doors outside of academia. I really am hoping to get a job at the community college though. I have the credentials now, but it's just a matter of waiting for a spot to open. The college is actually about to open a third campus in January... a HALF MILE from my house! I'm hoping that's a good sign. Right now they have a full time history person at each of the other campuses, so I'm hoping they'll eventually add a full timer to this campus too. If I do stay in academia, I'll definitely need more education to move up the salary scale, and that's why I'm looking. Now I've just got to retake the GRE (my scores expired in 08... and they were darn good scores too!) and try out the LSAT. -Matt -Matt
