Is Academia a non-option for me?

Graduate School
1

<p>So, here's my situation, in short: I'm a recent liberal arts college graduate who is very interested in pursuing an academic career in either history or political science (my interests are in political history, so I'm sort of on the line between the two subjects). I'm passionate about learning, teaching, researching, and feel a PhD and career in academia fits me perfectly.</p>

<p>However, I'm also aware of the pitfalls of a career in academia. My primary concern is about my ability to make it through the hurtles of getting admitted to a reputable PhD program, and then getting a tenure-track position thereafter. I understand the chances of success are quite low for both steps.</p>

<p>So I'm also considering a PhD in public policy, but with an MPP beforehand. It seems to me that both programs are significantly less competitive than history/political science doctoral programs, BUT that the PhD in public policy is less well respected for academic positions. The main attraction, however, is that if academia falls through, I have other non-academic job options. And, I'm interested enough in the material.</p>

<p>So my questions are these: </p>

<p>A) Is my assessment that PhD's in public policy are less competitive than history/political science accurate? Am I also right in believing that academic careers are limited with a PhD in public policy? How limited - what could I do with the degree?</p>

<p>B) Am I also accurate in thinking I won't make the cut for reputable political science or history programs with these stats? I know it's hard to rank admissions to PhD programs, but I'm just looking for a general idea of my competitiveness:</p>

<p>3.5 GPA from a top 3 liberal arts college. GPA is much higher last 2 years - 3.7 or so. Major GPA (history) also a 3.7.
GRE: Q: 158 (79%), V: 164 (94%), AW: 5.5 (96%)
Tons of internships - government, non-profit. Work abroad, internship and Americorps job after graduation. I'll be applying with a 2-year gap period.</p>

<p>No significant research experience, no senior thesis. Professor recommendations would be decent, but I didn't form terribly strong relationships with professors, so I doubt they'd be amazing. Just being realistic.</p>

<p>I also think I could pull of a pretty good personal statement.</p>

<p>Thoughts?!<br>
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’m confused about the hurtle issue. Please clarify.</p>

<p>Top 3 LAC? Williams, Amherst or Swarthmore are great schools, maybe you could get into a MA program and then see where you fit.</p>

3

<p>The hurtles were simply referring to the stiff competition for PhD admissions, and then tenure-track positions thereafter. I’ve read all over this forum and elsewhere about the extremely low admissions rates into PhD programs, and the nightmares of PhD’s working at Wal<em>Mart. Granted, I think some of the Wal</em>Mart talk might be a bit exaggerated, but I don’t doubt that the field is prohibitively competitive. </p>

<p>I’ve also considered the MA route. But what if I get an MA, take on debt, and then a PhD program still doesn’t work out? Is an MA in political science or history really a marketable degree for any sort of job, or will I have gotten nowhere above my liberal arts bachelors degree?</p>

4

<p>A) Depends on what you want to teach. If you want to teach in a school of public policy or a closely related field (international affairs, public administration, even public health) then no. If you want to teach in a history or political science department, then yes. Those departments are going to be looking primarily for someone with a PhD in history or PS respectively, and only a super outstanding candidate with a PhD in something else will be considered for the positions.</p>

<p>B) No, you are not right. I think that you are an average to good applicant for the PhDs - your GPA is very good, your GRE scores are solid to great. The biggest lack is the research, but I think it may be a little less common in history and poli sci, although maybe not less common enough to make you competitive. At the very least you could get an MA and do research there, or you could even get an MPP and later do a PhD in one of those fields so you have both.</p>

<p>As for the risk - well, that’s the name of the game. You have to take some risks. If your portfolio isn’t strong enough for PhD programs, you have to strengthen it. But an MA is only one way to do so. You may find some kind of research position that allows you to strengthen your application without doing the MA.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, Juliet! Is it possible to do an MPP and then a PhD in political science, or is it necessary to do an MA in political science? Also, does anyone know of any PSCI MA programs or MPP programs that provide some sort of funding?</p>

6

<p>You can teach Community College with an MA in History.</p>

<p>I think I figured it out about the hurtle question. Perhaps you meant hurdle?</p>

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<p>Xavi, yes, it looks like I did mean hurdle… maybe my spelling skills disqualify me for a PhD anyway!</p>

<p>Does anyone know about funding for MA programs? Are there any MPP programs that provide funding?</p>

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<p>I would say that you should only consider going down this road if you can get into a fully funded program. If you have to take out debt to get your advanced degree, you will be putting yourself into a world of hurt once you get out. PhDs in either of those fields are not paid well, and the level of competition for tenure track jobs is extreme (much worse than you would probably guess). Odds are, that you will not wind up in a position in academia, and will come out the backend of the program having spent 4-10 years of your life for three letters in front of your name that might not mean much to a potential employer. If you are OK with that being the outcome, then go for it. Otherwise, seriously reconsider.</p>

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<p>I totally understand that aspect of getting a PhD for things like history and political science - but might it be different with a PhD in public policy? Are PhD’s in public policy able to more successfully navigate the non-academic job market, if academia doesn’t work out?</p>

10

<p>To be completely blunt: a PhD is almost universally across the board (regardless of field) not a path to a job in industry. A PhD is only a pre-requisite for academia. Most PhD’s will qualify you for only a handful of positions in industry, while simultaneously making you overqualified for the vast majority of positions.</p>

<p>I’m not sure about the particulars for a PhD in Public Policy, but you should be able to find some information about placement rates for your respective program, either from the university career center or anecdotally through current students. My hunch though, is that the job market for PhDs in Public Policy is just as brutal as that for History, English, and the other liberal arts/social sciences.</p>