Hey everyone. This is my first post here after haunting this place for years. First, my situation: I am working on my online masters at a well known B&M state university and received my bachelor's from a well known B&M private school school. My masters is in community development. After my masters I'd like to go on to the California Institute of Integral Studies and get my PhD in Transformative Studies. I know it is an alternative/unusual school but it will allow me work on my alternative/unusual research interests in a flexible environment -- and its less than 40 units. The curriculum sounds fascinating and I am not sure I could complete a doctoral program I didn't find interesting. After all of this is done I will have graduate credits in diverse areas but not 18 units in any core teachable area. My plan is to obtain extremely cheap and accelerated units in desirable teaching areas either during my PhD or after. (By the way, I'd like to teach online.) All that said, here are my questions (pick your favorite or answer them all!): 1) Is this a good plan? Feel free to poke holes at all you want, you won't hurt my feelings. 2) With my unusual academic background would it be at all possible to find a teaching job without getting the extra units? 3) What are some really affordable/accelerated schools where you can get graduate credits in high need teaching areas? 4) Any general suggestions/advice? Thanks in advance.
1) It's workable. You will definitely need those additional 18 credit hours to find adjunct work.....preferably in a mainstream subject that is hard to find adjuncts for like finance or accounting. 2) Probably not. You will need the extra credit hours to teach. 3) Western New Mexico University. You can complete a master's degree with 18 credit hours in two subjects for around $6k. 4) Life might be easier if you get the extra 18 credit hours before enrolling in the doctorate.
Thanks for the advice, AV8R. Curious, why do you say you should get the 18 credits before the doctorate?
I recommend getting the 18 credits before enrolling in a doctorate so you can adjunct on the side while working on your doctorate. Not just an income, but you will also build up valuable teaching experience you can use on your CV during this time.
Good point. Which of Western New Mexico University's concentrations for their interdisciplinary masters do you think would be the most in demand for online teaching? * Bilingual Education * Criminal Justice * Education * Elementary Education * English * History * Management Information Systems (MIS) * Political Science * Psychology * Reading Education * Secondary Education * Writing
Hi Tom, a few questions to help you... How old are you? In what discipline did you earn your masters degree? Do you only want to teach online? Thanks.
I would say criminal justice and MIS. These are both areas you would need experience in to teach. What field does your experience fall into?
