Back to School?
In August, it will be one year since I finished up grad school. Nine months out, and I’m ready to get back in a classroom.
Not full-time, but at least doing one class a semester. I love the academic world and the pursuit of knowledge. Were finances not a problem, I’d be quite content pursuing as many degrees as Buster Bluth.
The only problem is that the more education you have, the harder it is to find the appropriate program. Chattanooga is a wonderful, wonderful city, but lacking in communication PhD programs. Ideally, I’d like to stay in Chattanooga forever. At the very least, I plan on staying here five to seven more years. That eliminates moving anywhere for school since Maryland, UNC and UGA are my top picks. That also postpones the completion of my education for a long time. The longer you’re out, the harder it is to go back. Lastly, I’d be starting a post-graduate program in my thirties. (That’s painful to write!)
UTC provides two alternatives. If anyone knows anything about these two programs, please comment or email.
A certificate in nonprofit management.
After three consecutive jobs at very different nonprofits, I’m starting to see a trend. Getting a certificate wouldn’t take that long and UTC is pretty cheap. One class is equal to the cost of a single credit hour at American. I did 30 hours in 11 months including comprehensive exams, a thesis and working 30 hours a week. An 18 hour program covering topics that I deal with on a day-to-day basis doesn’t sound that bad.
Learning and Leadership Ed.D.
I’ve never considered earning an Ed.D. before, but there aren’t that many post-graduate options around here. This program looks intriguing. On paper it looks like it could mesh with a communications background. From what I’ve read, there’s some organizational theory in the program. Next to communications, I love organizational theory and took about 15 hours as an undergrad in the field. My goal in getting a doctorate is to teach. While I would love to devote three or four years of my life to systematically debunking the Excellence Theory*, eradicating the Grunig name from public relations and researching how the web is altering the way we communicate, that may not be in the cards. (A few people understand and appreciate those thoughts).
Any guidance from my wise readers?
*While Excellence Theory may be dead at the graduate level, Grunig wrote most of the undergraduate textbooks. It still runs rampant in many undergrad programs. I truly believe that further research on how the web is changing communications will prove something closer to Relationship Management as a general theory of public relations. (That was the most complex thinking that I’ve written in nine months. My brain hurts now.)
Although I am all for continuing education, I think a certificate program, or independent study - or even teaching at a community college would be better options than pursuing a degree in something simply because what you wanted to study wasn’t close by.
A few rationale:
1. Any of these are cheaper, and teaching a class a semester provides the bonus of not only perhaps a bit more income, but experience and reduced tuition in other courses (anything that generally interests you).
2. The broader your base, the more versatile you are not only as a person and student, but as a potential new hire at another organization.
3. There are fellowships for independent study in all sorts of areas that could allow you to debunk theories and write about social media, increasing your publication status and therefore chances of financial aid at a later point when you apply for your PhD.
All that to say that education is a marvelous thing and you should never stop pursuing it - but there are lots of avenues to consider, including potentially taking this time “off” to learn through a different mechanism. If you really love school, it won’t be hard to go back later.
May 7th, 2008 • 1:23 pm