southerncharm

Hi,I am considering executive DBA programs and PhD programs that I can pursue part-time. My background - 15 yrs of experience (10 yrs senior management), masters degree in public policy and also in technology management, currently work in strategy consulting as senior manager (one level below partner). My goal is to make partner within 5 yrs and then continue as partner for at least another 5 yrs. At that point, I'd like to transition to be a professor of practice at a business or public policy school (there are 3 strong B-Schools and 2 strong policy schools in my city). With all this in mind, I am considering a DBA so that I can begin to teach as adjunct and/or be more competitive for prof of practice positions down the road. Long term I would like to work in higher education administration (as a third career after being a prof of practice).I am looking at the following programs (my research is at the intersection of business and policy, which is why these programs are diverse):Bocconi DBAIE DBAErasmus part-time PhD in managementUniv of Florida DBAUCL part-time PhD in public policyOxford part-time PhD in sustainable urban developmentAny advice on which programs would set me up the best? Or others that I should consider?

Hello, I am looking at making a career change into academia and am considering doing a PhD. After a lot of back and forth (between econ, public policy, and urban planning), I have decided to apply to urban planning programs. I'd prefer to stay in Atlanta, where I live, so am applying to Georgia Tech. Anyone have thoughts on this program or knowledge on PhD admissions competitiveness? I'm also looking at the part-time programmes in the UK where I would go for a portion of the year (while hopefully still having Atlanta as a base). There is also the advantage of starting on the dissertation right away (I have two masters degrees already). I'm looking at the sustainable urban development at Oxford and the land economy programme at Cambridge. I'd love any feedback on those programmes and any others that folks would recommend. My goal is to go into academia or to work at an established think tank like the Urban Institute. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I posted this in Government Affairs, and folks recommended that I post here too for feedback. Thanks! I am planning on applying to public policy PhD programs this fall (for fall 2018 entry). I am 37 yrs old, which I know makes me an older applicant. My quick background: undergrad (3.7 GPA at average state school), MPP (3.8 GPA at top 10), MPhil (Oxbridge). Professionally, I have had very strong results, with many promotions and increased responsibility each year - 4 yrs strategy consulting in DC and London, 5 yrs VP role at well known national nonprofit, 4 yrs Chief role at national nonprofit. I want to go into an academic role - research, teaching, and applied work. I think I will have a compelling SOP. I need to take the GRE but imagine will be in 80-90 percentile based on previous results. My top picks are Harvard, UofC, Duke, Georgia Tech, UNC, Georgia State, George Washington. I also may look at Oxford or LSE. A few questions: 1. On paper, I feel like I'm a strong candidate - but worry my age will be a problem (either because Adcoms will worry about my commitment or my employability into a TT role). Any thoughts on how much my age will be a barrier to PP programs? Note, I originally was looking at econ programs and got clear feedback that I'm too old and don't have the math background. 2. I have great references from my academic experience - both grad degrees required a thesis and those advisors would be very strong. But those are from 2004 and 2005 - which I imagine won't be that helpful. Any advice on whether to use 0, 1, or 2 of those? Related, how many professional references would be suitable? Those would be strong too. 3. Are there any programs folks recommend for older candidates? 4. Math requirements - some programs note reqts through multivariate calculus and linear algebra. I took through calc II in college (B grade) and then took 2 stats courses in grad school. I could do a refresher on calc I-II on my own, then take calc III (which includes multivariate) and linear algebra. Any advice on whether that would be worth it? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I am planning on applying to public policy PhD programs this fall (for fall 2018 entry). I am 37 yrs old, which I know makes me an older applicant. My quick background: undergrad (3.7 GPA at average state school), MPP (3.8 GPA at top 10), MPhil (Oxbridge). Professionally, I have had very strong results, with many promotions and increased responsibility each year - 4 yrs strategy consulting in DC and London, 5 yrs VP role at well known national nonprofit, 4 yrs Chief role at national nonprofit. I want to go into an academic role - research, teaching, and applied work. I think I will have a compelling SOP. I need to take the GRE but imagine will be in 80-90 percentile based on previous results. My top picks are Harvard, UofC, Duke, Georgia Tech, UNC, Georgia State, George Washington. I also may look at Oxford or LSE. A few questions: 1. On paper, I feel like I'm a strong candidate - but worry my age will be a problem (either because Adcoms will worry about my commitment or my employability into a TT role). Any thoughts on how much my age will be a barrier to PP programs? Note, I originally was looking at econ programs and got clear feedback that I'm too old. 2. I have great references from my academic experience - both grad degrees required a thesis and those advisors would be very strong. But those are from 2004 and 2005 - which I imagine won't be that helpful. Any advice on whether to use 0, 1, or 2 of those? Related, how many professional references would be suitable? Those would be strong too. 3. Are there any programs folks recommend for older candidates? 4. Math requirements - some programs note reqts through multivariate calculus and linear algebra. I took through calc II in college (B grade) and then took 2 stats courses in grad school. I could do a refresher on calc I-II on my own, then take calc III (which includes multivariate) and linear algebra. Any advice on whether that would be worth it? Thanks in advance!

Hi, Hoping to get some career insight from this forum, as you all seem quite in tune with the education field (and I am certainly not!). I am considering a career switch into higher education - I was very involved in student government activities during undergrad and worked for the VP for Student Affairs for 4 yrs as well. I'd ultimately like to hold a similar position, or perhaps dean of business or public policy school, or the dream - university president. Note, I'd want to do this at a large public university in the south (ie, SEC type schools such as LSU, UGA, AU, etc) My background to date -- masters in public policy from top 10 school, MPhil in business field from Cambridge, and 4 years of strategy consulting (currently in this job still). My question - what would be the best path to reach the positions noted above (dean/VP/president)? I see three potential routes (that fit with my own interests): 1) continue down the career path that I am going which would likely include a switch to public sector or non-profit management position in coming year. Try to come into higher ed admin by being a "star" in public/non-profit sector. Perhaps add an MBA along the way to gain the management skills and cache 2) pursue a PhD in the coming years, in the field of my preference (likely public policy) and at ~35 yrs old try to get on fast track into administration without having to do tenure track (is this even possible?) 3) pursue a masters and/or PhD/EdD in higher education administration and go directly into administration. This potentially seems like the lowest risk option, but I'm just not sure where the higher ed PhDs end up? I don't particularly want to start as an asst provost for strategy and planning etc, having to fight through the admin ranks for 20 yrs before landing my dream job. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Anyone hear from Minnesota for social epidemiology PhD program? I submitted in January and still havent heard.

Waiting on PhD programs Hopkins (HBS) Tulane UIC Minnesota Epi Emory Columbia UAB Anyone hear from any of those? No idea whether to expect email, phone call, or letter!

Just bumping this -- Anyone hear back from PhD admissions committees for public health? I am waiting on Hopkins, UMN, Columbia, Tulane, UAB, UIC, and Emory - no news at all to date! Any ideas on when we'll hear?