Higher Education

[--Pete]

Hi,

Must/Should you go Masters, then Doctoral?

Depends on the field. In many fields, the masters is a 'consolation' prize. People who fail to pass the preliminary examination for the doctoral program get to do a six month project and get a masters. That is the way it is in math, chemistry and physics at many schools. In other fields, the masters is a 'real' degree.

If you have a choice, go directly for the doctorate, since all that matters in the long run is the highest degree you hold. And if you plan to teach (you might want to take a look at the ratio of *qualified* applicants per tenure track position, it used to be over 200 to 1) the doctorate is almost a requirement.

Is there any point to double degrees on Masters level?

Only if you are planing a career change.

What about Law School?

No idea.

Does anyone have experience teaching College level courses (undergrad or grad)?

The real breakpoint isn't undergraduate/graduate, it is lower division (AKA 'service courses') and 'real courses'. Service courses are mostly taken by people who are not in a field but are fulfilling some type of requirement (often restricted electives). For the most part, these people are not really interested in the subject, and at best will do fair work for a grade. Upper division and graduate courses are attended by people who really are (or at least should be) interested in the subject, given that they've effectively settled on it for a career. These are the courses where it is possible for the professor to learn as much from the students as the other way around.

I've taught all three (service, upper division, grad) and the higher level courses are more challenging but all are fun. But be prepared to do a *lot* more work teaching a course (especially the first time) than you ever did taking one.

Why do people say you should get your degrees from different schools?

Getting a degree is as much about expanding your mind as it is about skills and facts. Each school has its own 'belief system'. By going to different schools at different times, you are exposed to a different set of ideas which help to make your own thinking more original. It used to be that schools would not hire their own alumni for the same reason, but that has changed in the past quarter century -- part of the ongoing confusion between 'education' and 'training'.

There are joint programs offered at BU, such as a 4 year grad program for a Doctoral in Philosophy and a Masters in Ancient Civilization at the same time, are these considered the same as a Masters and Doctoral gained seperately?

By 'Doctor of Philosophy' do you mean a doctorate in the field of philosophy or a 'Ph.D.' (which is the 'doctorate' in most fields, law, medicine, and theology being the exceptions that come to mind)? If the former, then the doctorate in philosophy does you little good outside of a philosophy department (the work is good mental exercise, but you can do that on your own through electives). If the latter, see above under 'Masters or Doctorate'.

Is the financial aid much better?

Depends. In many technical fields getting a doctorate is a free (as far as money goes) ride. The stipend for a teaching assistant (usually first two years while doing coursework) and research assistant (after completing the preliminary exams and starting a research program) are usually enough to cover all expenses. In addition, a paid position usually means you pay 'staff' prices for tuition -- especially important if you go to an out of state school.

How much it is going to cost you to go to grad school is a pretty good indication of how easily you will find post graduate employment and how much you can expect a field to pay. Of course, there are exceptions (law and medicine, although neither is as good as they were in the '50s and '60s). If a field is in demand, then the 'slave labor' of grad students is, too. If it is not (and I fear that the fields you mentioned are not), then TA and RA positions are scarce to non-existent. Then, your undergrad outstanding loans are looked at as part of your overall liability and getting additional loans can be difficult.

Can you get an extension on Undergrad Loans if you attend Grad school 'full time'?

You could when I went to grad school. But rules change all the time. Go to your school's loan officer and ask what the rules are for your type of loans and if there is any rumor of coming changes.

*What higher degrees do you hold?  Would you change anything about them, if you could?

Ph.D. in physics. I was ten quarter hours away from a BS in math when I finished undergrad work at Ga. Tech. -- wish I'd gone one more quarter and picked that up. Other than that, no regrets.

--Pete