Too Old for a PhD?

Graduate School
1

<p>Greetings! I have skimmed the thread topics and did not see one addressing my question, so here goes: <em>What are your opinions about the best "age range" to start a doctoral program in the social sciences, particularly psychology, sociology or social work?</em> </p>

<p>My specifics: I am thirty-four, obtained an MSW in 2003 and have worked as a licensed mental health therapist, adjunct professor and, at certain times, a part-time researcher. BTW, I don't want kids, so this is a non-issue for me.</p>

<p>It appears that a large percentage of students start doctoral programs in their 20s, so I’m nervous that I’ll be at a disadvantage (I’m almost positive that the tenure track would be out of the question since I’d finish in my 40s). However, I need additional skills to expand as a professional—I cannot do much more without enhanced qualifications.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for your feedback: I appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>You’ll be fine, and will be younger than others who have been in any grad program in which you start. Your work career will provide valuable “real world” experience that no classroom can provide. Your teaching experience will undoubtedly be seen as a big plus for TA positions, as well.</p>

3

<p>Hi Astrophysicsmom,</p>

<p>Thank you for replying to my post! </p>

<p>Best,
TS</p>

4

<p>34 is way young. I was 26 when I started my PhD and was like the youngest enrollee.</p>

5

<p>I started my engineering PhD at 33. I was the oldest in my program (engineers generally do the PhD immediately), but so what?</p>

6

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<p><a href=“I’m%20almost%20positive%20that%20the%20tenure%20track%20would%20be%20out%20of%20the%20question%20since%20I’d%20finish%20in%20my%2040s”>quote</a>.

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<p>Well, I don’t know about that. I know a woman in her mid-40’s who just started a doctoral program in management at Harvard. I would argue management is a social science, and indeed, management academic scholars (surprisingly) gain more career prestige by publishing in top social science journals such as the American Economic Review or the American Sociological Review than they do in top management journals. </p>

<p>This woman openly asks how she should optimally position herself on the tenure-track job market, and given that management is one of the few academic disciplines with a shortage of faculty along with the brand-name of her program, she will surely get a tenure-track position somewhere. Perhaps not at a top business school, but surely somewhere.</p>