TieWebb

Thank you- Its not as if I have no interest in research. I understand this is the primary focus, the reason I am doing my MA first is because I really could not articulate a statement of purpose/research topic a year and half ago- a lot different today. My concern was really just the lack of balance. I see some schools who have 50/60 people listed on their graduate student lists and it seems hard to believe they are even getting the "on the job training" that would seem necessary to run a full slate of classes the first few years after finishing graduate school. Its not a deal breaker for me, just getting an early start for Fall 2012 and trying to narrow the field of choices..

"What I've been told is that for a teaching career, you should just go to the program that fits you best in terms of quality and research interests, then try to take whatever opportunities are available there to do as much teaching as possible." -I think this is probably good advice. Its just interesting that I can not find programs that focus on teaching and pedagogy. From my experience, I have had some great teachers and some terrible teachers, who frankly, should not be teaching. I guess my intention is that students (most) are not going to go on to graduate school in political science, so it seems strange that there is such an emphasis on training researchers at the expense of training teachers, when most will spend the majority of their time in the class/mentoring and not presenting/publishing original research. Obviously I want to improve my research skills, and feel as though I am making a unique contribution, but there seems to be a disconect between research on the one hand and that translating in to effective teaching skills on the other.

Hello, I was curious if anyone had information on Phd. programs that prepare graduate students for teaching? I am currently finishing my last semester of an MA and have decided I would like to continue on (Fall 2012). I obviously want to go to the best place I can possibly get in to, but is anyone aware of programs that pay particular attention to developing prof. skills? Looking at the various forums, I get the sense that most are intending to be more focused on research in their career then I believe I am interested in. I attended a small liberal arts college (where profs. did not publish much) for undergrad and a larger state university (where I think publishing may be contingent on their job) for my MA, and the difference in teaching and atmosphere is striking. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.