On 6/08/09, Jeff wrote:
> 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.

If you got your Ph.D or Ed.D and found a tenure track position,
you would most likely start at the bottom of the ladder. Beginning
salary is not that great, but you eventually do OK. You have to
consider this a long-term strategy. At my university it seems to
take ten years to become a tenured full professor.

In my state the state university is replacing retiring faculty
with lecturers to save money. This makes it tough for the
remaining full-time faculty to cover all the roles in the
department. However, if the economy ever turns around and the
state budget improves, then there will be a lot of hiring to fill
tenure track positions.

If you want to teach at the college level and break the lecturer
low-salary barrier, then get your doctorate at a reputable school
and see if you can find a niche to fill.

Good luck. IMHO it is worth it.

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