Seeking Opinions JD vs PhD

<p>I'm presently enrolled in the MBA program of a top-5 B-school. My interests are the following: politics, political theory, consulting (media, advertising, political), marketing, and someday entrepreneurship. I am 100% certain about wanting the MBA. I know that the business education and networking opportunities it will provide will do nothing but help me in the long run. And that long-run, "light at the end of the tunnel" vision for myself is owning my own political consulting/media consulting firm. But it doesn't end there. </p>

<p>Let's just be clear that I'm not kidding myself--I want to live comfortably and make decent money. But I do believe it is possible to earn six figures and keep one's soul. I care deeply about activism and scholarship. I want to contribute to the understanding of political science and philosophy--to be the next John Rawls. I want to help shape the local, state, and someday the national agenda; I want the whole Don Quixote experience, chasing after windmills like socialized medicine and marriage rights for GLBT partners. But I don't want to be "the guy" -- the one that gets elected and lives his life under a microscope--I want to be the guy that helps him, advises him, and perhaps gets a hefty chunk of his ad buy. </p>

<p>For several years prior to the start of my MBA (which begins in two weeks), I knew I was aiming for a JD-MBA, whether in a joint program or independently. I thought a JD was the only option if I was interested in political advising/consulting/media work. I then took a step back and though about it, and now I think a PhD in political science or political philosophy might be better aligned with my interests. I also have NO desire to be a corporate lawyer. I would much rather spend sleepless nights toiling over a dissertation (something that will create new knowledge) than a client's case or private equity positions. </p>

<p>My University has excellent dual degree options for both a JD-MBA and PhD-MBA, so either option is a possibility. </p>

<p>What are your thoughts? I really need some guidance here, and thus far I have found few who can offer any help at all. I place my faith in you.</p>

<p>Wow nothing!? I’ll bump this and give it one more chance…</p>

<p>Matty, I’m not familiar with the JD degree beyond what it is, nor is pubic policy my field, so the following is only conjecture on my part. My guess is that the JD degree will deal with the legal structure already in place and as it evolves with judicial decisions; therefore, your approach to policy might come from the inside by working within the established legislative boundaries. A PhD in public policy has the potential to be more theoretical. While obviously you cannot work outside the law, you might use your expertise to influence more broadly, taking into account the current political and cultural environment, for example, and attack issues that are not legal, per se, but rather political. It might depend on how you best believe change can occur – through the interpretation and evolution of existing laws or through the creating the right climate for political change. Would you rather be a legal scholar or a political one?</p>

<p>But then there’s the MBA component, which really doesn’t seem to fit with the other two. </p>

<p>What is your fallback career? What if politicians don’t want to listen to you? What would do you then? That may tell you more about what degrees you should get than anything anyone can write here.</p>

<p>What is your undergraduate background? Philosophy Ph.D programs are terribly hard to get into, some accept under 10 applicants from a few hundred applications. There is really no way to get into a program unless you have a strong background in philosophy at the undergraduate level or have completed a good terminal MA program. Most of the things that made you a good candidate for the MBA program a philosophy program could care less about. You should also know that many philosophy students take 5-9 years to complete their Ph.Ds. I can’t speak for political science programs.</p>

<p>I also hate to be the one to say it, but there is really no way that one could be both a powerful political consultant and a academic figure like John Rawls. Being a good academic is a full time position that many people can’t handle by itself, let alone with a side career. But the best of luck to you.</p>

<p>I posted this on a different thread, it is a good read.</p>

<p>[The</a> Splintered Mind: Underblog: Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Philosophy: Full Text](<a href=“http://schwitzsplintersunderblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/applying-to-phd-programs-in-philosophy.html]The”>The Splintered Mind: Underblog: Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Philosophy: Full Text)</p>

<p>I don’t think either of those would help you achieve your goals per se. Though it sounds like you’re favoring the PhD more.</p>

<p>A JD is a professional legal degree. A PhD is a research degree. Whichever you’re interested in more (practicing law or researching a topic), obtain the appropriate degree.</p>

<p>Why don’t you get a Master’s in Public Policy?</p>