Re-reading my post I think I should clarify a few things. I
don't know why I even mentioned history or psychology. While
I'd love to get a doctorate in either and teach those at the
college level- it isn't going to happen. I am turning 39
this summer, I can't afford 4-6 years going to school full-
time with no income. A Ph.D. in these fields at a school
worth considering (especially with a goal of teaching at the
college level) will only be full-time. If I do this, it will
be a part-time masters with the modified goal of teaching at
a community college part-time on the side.

The only realistic option I'm considering is a doctorate in
education. Even many good schools, like Johns Hopkins (my
first choice), allow part-time study for a Ph.D. in education
(and nearly all of them allow part-time study for an Ed.D if
they offer an Ed.D.). Many of these education doctorial
programs would be part-time during the year and full-time
during the summer to allow teachers to remain in the
classroom. From there I would hope to become an education
professor (I hope to specialize in reading or special ed,
more specifically I want to do research primarily in
dyslexia). Ideally, I'd do my Ph.D. in educational
psychology if I can find a good program that allows teachers
to go part-time.

On 6/08/09, Jeff wrote:
> When I first chose my major (psychology) I planned to get
> a Ph.D. and become a professor and researcher. After
> researching the job market, and life, I've ended up a high
> school special ed/social studies teacher (I love it, but
> don't see me spending the next 20 years or more as a high
> school teacher in a special ed or social studies
> classroom). Looking at graduate school options, I'm more
> and more becoming interested in teaching at the college
> level again.
>
> I love teaching and now I think I'd prefer the community
> college or liberal arts college atmosphere because I want
> to be a teacher first and researcher second.
>
> However, pay can be a problem. Looking at local community
> colleges, their pay scale is similar to that for public
> school teachers. By the time I have my doctorate in
> education I will have about a decade of teaching
> experience.
>
> If I do my MA and doctorate in psychology or history I
> would assume I'd start at the beginning of the scale and
> get no credit towards salary for my high school teaching
> experience. However, if I get my doctorate in education I
> was wondering how that works. Many education faculty have
> elementary and high school teaching experience, sometimes
> quite a few years of experience. Do they usually get
> credit on the salary scale for their teaching experience
> (since it is related to their academic area) since so many
> have extensive teaching experience, or do they have to
> start from scratch when they become a professor?
>
> I ask, since I probably won't be able to afford a large
> pay cut and I want to know what the standard is for these
> things before I start (i.e. if I'll be starting in the
> $40's or worse, upper $30s, I may was well pursue a
> different direction). I know each college will probably
> have its own policies, but I assume there is a general
> standard to how most schools handle this situation.

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