Accepted into local PHD program as a current teacher - possible to continue teaching and still be competitive?

[PHDandTEACH]

Hi Grad Cafe, 

I applied to a local Curriculum and Instruction PhD program a few months ago. I just found out that I've been accepted! However, when I applied, I had done some research on continuing to teach while turning down funding (tuition waiver and stipend) because financially it would make more sense to remain in the classroom. I have a wife and two kids, so I'd want to maintain our quality of life as much as possible. The numbers make more sense to take out loans in the long run as getting a PhD automatically gives me an $8000/year raise, which would pay off the loans in about a decade after completion. 

What I'm concerned about though is that I've read posts about how students without funding have pretty much zero shot at landing a tenure track position. 

I know of two local tenure track professors at small schools who worked and earned their PhD at the same time. So I know it's possible, but I'm curious about others' perspective. Especially from those in the field of education where teaching in a classroom is basically the "lab" for the field. 

Thanks!

[Warelin]

What happens if you're laid off in the middle of your program?

[PHDandTEACH]

1 hour ago, Warelin said:

What happens if you're laid off in the middle of your program?

I'm tenured. Almost impossible for me to be laid off.

[flowerpower07]

I would reach out to current students who may have taken this route or professors who have had students take this route. It's best to hear from folks in the same situation. That might give you a better idea of what's the best fit for your family.

[Warelin]

On 2/28/2021 at 7:49 PM, PHDandTEACH said:

I'm tenured. Almost impossible for me to be laid off.

I'm confused with why you're concerned with the below then. Are you hoping to land a job elsewhere?

On 2/28/2021 at 1:41 PM, PHDandTEACH said:

What I'm concerned about though is that I've read posts about how students without funding have pretty much zero shot at landing a tenure track position. 

 

[PHDandTEACH]

8 hours ago, Warelin said:

I'm confused with why you're concerned with the below then. Are you hoping to land a job elsewhere?

 

The plan is to get my PhD and then apply to tenure track positions. I'm currently a teacher in a K12 classroom and was planning on remaining in the classroom, turning down the funding opportunity, and paying my own way through the program. Financially I'll make more money doing this, but I'm curious about what others think about how it affects my ability to be competitive for tenure track positions. 

[GMK]

I would speak to the university.  At the university where I have applied, PhD candidates are not allowed to work outside of the university.  

As for tenure-track university professorships, I have read that only 3-5% of people who hold a doctoral degree are able to land tenured university professorships.  Thus, I'm not sure that I would base your PhD journey decisions on tenured professorship.

[Jmartin91]

Is the PhD program full time? Asking because I'm in the same boat