Hello, I've been admitted to Western New Mexico University. Right now, my declared concentrations are psychology and writing. However, I'm wondering if I made a mistake and should switch writing to English. I'm deeply experienced in the journalism field and want to teach community college students journalism, creative writing, and composition. (As well as be able to teach psychology.) I'm also planning to pursue a doctorate in Women's Studies, likely in New Zealand or South Africa due to costs. As soon as someone lets me in, I'm gone and will likely end up finishing the MAIS online while working on my dissertation. My aim is to widely expand my opportunities in writing, editing, publishing, women's advocacy and teaching in several disciplines. I get bored easily and would rather have multiple part-time/self-employed pursuits than one (though maybe when I'm older I would pursue tenure at a liberal arts college...right now I'm 30 and dying to see and change the world a lot more.) I'm not much into "traditional" English literature, though I could see myself teaching literature courses in poetry, women authors, American literature, etc. However, I'd be happiest teaching all types of writing. I'd be in hell teaching things like Shakespeare and Chaucer, online or brick-and-mortar. My question is, would having writing rather than English as a concentration limit me? Would I be best served switching to English before the start of June classes (the WNMU classes are cross-listed as English/Writing.) Thanks! Stephanie
Based on what you have told us about yourself it seems like you are far, far more interesting in English and writing than psychology. I would recommend dropping the psychology part for now and choose English and writing as your two concentrations. This will allow you to teach a wide variety of courses online and in a community college as well as advance your journalism career. You can pick up 18 credit hours in psychology later if you're still interested. Anyway, that's just my $0.02.
AV's right... There's plenty of grad certs in psychology out there that can fulfill 18 hours for teaching experience. I've also found a bunch of schools have Grad Certs in History & Criminal Justice as well, in case one wants to broaden their available teaching areas.
