Graduate Dilema

[Maestro]

So, I'm having an "FML" moment regarding graduate studies and employment.

I have a BME from U of Wisconsin and have been a successful band director for 13 years. I just started a job at a new high school this year and really love where I am and who I'm working with. I just can't see myself leaving.

Given that things look stable and that my current school has a "no masters" penalty that kicks in after 10 years, I started my MM in MuEd January. The University of Florida offers a distance MM, and it's a solid and accredited program.

I'm just about to complete my third class this week, and I got a paper returned to me with the following statement, "I hope you will consider a PhD in your future."

This is the second time one of my professors has recommended I consider doctoral studies in music after I complete my Masters.

Um, whut?

I'm completely astounded. I just don't know what to do. I love where I am, I'd love a Doc, mind, but I just can't see how I'd juggle it all.

FML for something GOOD!

 

[Finn]

^That's awesome. I'd take it as a compliment. As for whether you should or not, it's all up to you.

I remember how some of my old high school teachers used to tell me that I should become a college professor. After going through THREE college programs, I think I'd hate to be one.

I used to plan on getting a Ph.D in some kind of field ecology. But after my second BA and getting close to my MS degree, I'm done with being a student for a while...

 

[JoeZhang]

So, I'm having an "FML" moment regarding graduate studies and employment.

I have a BME from U of Wisconsin and have been a successful band director for 13 years. I just started a job at a new high school this year and really love where I am and who I'm working with. I just can't see myself leaving.

Given that things look stable and that my current school has a "no masters" penalty that kicks in after 10 years, I started my MM in MuEd January. The University of Florida offers a distance MM, and it's a solid and accredited program.

I'm just about to complete my third class this week, and I got a paper returned to me with the following statement, "I hope you will consider a PhD in your future."

This is the second time one of my professors has recommended I consider doctoral studies in music after I complete my Masters.

Um, whut?

I'm completely astounded. I just don't know what to do. I love where I am, I'd love a Doc, mind, but I just can't see how I'd juggle it all.

FML for something GOOD!

No opportunities to do it part-time? (I did my PhD part-time while working full-time).

 

[B.J.]

Well, could you actually put a Doctorate to good use, considering you already have a job you love?

Also, what's a "no masters" penalty?

 

[Maestro]

I don't know if part-time is an option. Music can be, uh, fickle about residency and time in front of an ensemble for MuEd doctoral candidates. For DMA in Conducting candidates, there wouldn't be any option of going part-time I don't believe.

If I were to stay at my current school until retirement, a doc would be unnecessary, nor would it really do much for my placement on the salary schedule. I know there is a pay bump for teachers with docs, but I don't think it's really worth it.

If I wanted to move to a school in a big city, such as the 'burbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul or Chicago, a doc would give me extra consideration and really give me a good bump on the pay scale. Then again, they'd have to be willing to hire the expense of a director with a doc.

My district has a "no masters" penalty which kicks in after 10 years of employment in the district. What it means is that if you do not have a masters after your 10th year of service to the district, you cannot further advance by step on the salary schedule. They started me at Step 10 this year. If I do not earn a masters by my 10th year, I would not be able to advance from Step 20 to Step 21 until I earned a masters.

So, essentially, if I stay where I am, there's no need for a doc. That said the possibility excites my ego.