Cambridge Mphil education (research) vs USA Ed.d

[Triedgold]

Alright everyone, I need some advice. I applied to Cambridge University in hopes of getting the GATES scholarship. I got accepted to the Mphil in Education program/Homerton College (not the Ph.D) but didn't get the scholarship. I'm also waiting to hear back from USC (Ed.D) and UC Berkeley (Ed.D).

My wondering is this: If I get accepted into any of the Ed.D programs, should I pick them over the Cambridge Mphil?

Some background: I already have two Masters in Education from a CSU ( Curriculum; Leadership). Also, I am currently in my first year as an associate principal and have momentum as an administrator.

The tough part for me is that I'm worried about having regrets if I don't go to Cambridge. The problem is the cost would be about $40K, not counting I would forfeit my current admin salary. And even though I already have two masters degrees in education, I have to admit the programs were heavy on coursework and weak on preparing me for research.

My professional goal is to become a scholar-practitioner.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Be kind...haha.

Thanks

Triedgold in San Diego

[ZeChocMoose]

Alright everyone, I need some advice. I applied to Cambridge University in hopes of getting the GATES scholarship. I got accepted to the Mphil in Education program/Homerton College (not the Ph.D) but didn't get the scholarship. I'm also waiting to hear back from USC (Ed.D) and UC Berkeley (Ed.D).

My wondering is this: If I get accepted into any of the Ed.D programs, should I pick them over the Cambridge Mphil?

Some background: I already have two Masters in Education from a CSU ( Curriculum; Leadership). Also, I am currently in my first year as an associate principal and have momentum as an administrator.

The tough part for me is that I'm worried about having regrets if I don't go to Cambridge. The problem is the cost would be about $40K, not counting I would forfeit my current admin salary. And even though I already have two masters degrees in education, I have to admit the programs were heavy on coursework and weak on preparing me for research.

My professional goal is to become a scholar-practitioner.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Be kind...haha.

Thanks

Triedgold in San Diego

Well getting a third master's-- will that really be helpful in the long run? For the other programs (USC & Berkeley), you would have to quit your job anyways-- right?

I am not a big fan of EdDs, but it would probably make more sense to do the EdDs since it is a higher degree than a master's. Also since you need to quit your job, does USC and UC Berkeley offer funding for the EdD degree? What are their placement rates for the jobs that you ultimately hope to hold?

Since you state that you want to be a scholar-practitioner-- have you looked into PhDs in education? If you are really interested in research (which I can't tell from your post) this might be a better degree for you. If you hope to stay in K - 12 administration, you are probably all set with the EdD.

Good luck on your decisions!

[Triedgold]

Actually

Well getting a third master's-- will that really be helpful in the long run? For the other programs (USC & Berkeley), you would have to quit your job anyways-- right?

I am not a big fan of EdDs, but it would probably make more sense to do the EdDs since it is a higher degree than a master's. Also since you need to quit your job, does USC and UC Berkeley offer funding for the EdD degree? What are their placement rates for the jobs that you ultimately hope to hold?

Since you state that you want to be a scholar-practitioner-- have you looked into PhDs in education? If you are really interested in research (which I can't tell from your post) this might be a better degree for you. If you hope to stay in K - 12 administration, you are probably all set with the EdD.

Good luck on your decisions!

Hi ZeChocMoose,

Thanks for being a sounding board! =) Actually, the Ed.D programs at both USC and Berkeley accomodate working professionals in admin. So, classes would meet every other week on Friday evenings and most of the day Saturday. I would commute to USC. For Berkeley, I would have to move and find work there. A positive is my wife's family is in the Bay Area. Cost for USC = $70K; Berkeley= $39K.

I have looked into PhD programs, but most require full time committtment for 4-5 years. The only program that seemed flexible was the SDSU-Claremont joint Ph.D but I heard that Claremont professors don't really make teaching a priority. Also, my impression is they push students towards solely research. What I really want is to work in the field as an administrator but also conduct applied research, and to use theory to inform my practice. I would eventually like to submit some articles to leadership/education journals based on my experiences.

Sorry to talk your ear off...I'm a novice in terms of posting on forums.

Thanks again...

Triedgold

[ZeChocMoose]

Actually

Hi ZeChocMoose,

Thanks for being a sounding board! =) Actually, the Ed.D programs at both USC and Berkeley accomodate working professionals in admin. So, classes would meet every other week on Friday evenings and most of the day Saturday. I would commute to USC. For Berkeley, I would have to move and find work there. A positive is my wife's family is in the Bay Area. Cost for USC = $70K; Berkeley= $39K.

I have looked into PhD programs, but most require full time committtment for 4-5 years. The only program that seemed flexible was the SDSU-Claremont joint Ph.D but I heard that Claremont professors don't really make teaching a priority. Also, my impression is they push students towards solely research. What I really want is to work in the field as an administrator but also conduct applied research, and to use theory to inform my practice. I would eventually like to submit some articles to leadership/education journals based on my experiences.

Sorry to talk your ear off...I'm a novice in terms of posting on forums.

Thanks again...

Triedgold

Hi Triedgold,

Okay-- that makes much more sense now. If I was you (and the limited knowledge that I have over your situation), I would probably enroll at USC. By enrolling at USC, you'll be able to stay in your job (where it seems like you are doing well and have momentum). Generally, getting education leadership jobs seem to require experience + the degree and you'll have both with this outcome. The admittance rate for the EdD program is high at USC-- 72%. (I couldn't find the admittance rate at Berkeley for the LEEP program but it seems that their cohorts are much smaller). I guess the question is can you afford the 70K? (That seems pretty steep to me for a doctoral degree!) If you get into both-- which one has more professors that you want to work with? which one has the better reputation in your field? how reasonable is it to assume you can get an education leadership position in and/or around Berkeley if you decide to go there?

Also an alternative option is UCLA has an Education Leadership EdD that is aimed at working professionals (http://gseis.ucla.ed...s/education/elp). Since it is a state school, the tuition should be cheaper and it is roughly the same distance as USC. Could that be another option if 70K is not feasible?

~ZeChocMoose

Edited February 7, 2011 by ZeChocMoose

[oiseauaudio]

Hi Triedgold,

I also applied to Cambridge for an MPhil in Education. Which program did you apply to? I applied for the PDDE route. When did you hear back? I haven't heard yet and am getting anxious.

I think that the MPhil sounds great, but I think I would evaluate what you really hope to gain from getting a third Masters, essentially, especially since it's a huge chunk of change!

Congratulations on your acceptance and I hope you hear more good news soon from the other schools!

[Triedgold]

o-audio...

I applied to the Phd in Education but have an offer for the MPhil (Thematic Route). My appointed supervisor is Peter Gronn, who I am dying to work with. His work on Distributed/Hybrid Leadership is my area of research interest. However, I now have two interviews, one for an Ed.D and another for an ED.L.D. =)

These last two options are much better on many levels! =)

[perrier]

Hi Triedgold,

Congrats on your M.Phil offer from Cambridge! And good luck with your two following interviews at USC and UC Berkeley.

i was wondering if you're aware that it's common practice for all PhD candidates in the UK to start on an M.Phil before the progression to a formal PhD route?

In other words, the M.Phil is treated like a preparation year where you really secure your area of research interest on a deep level. Then you apply for the PhD program again, on campus this time, and if you keep good work and relations with your supervisor, it shouldn't be a problem passing this 'probationary' year. Bear in mind also that PhDs in the UK take much less time than the US (4 years maximum in general, including the MPhil). Counting that you'll be on track with coursework, you would be obtaining your terminal degree several years earlier than you would be in the USA.

I'm aware that you'd would like to be enrolled at a part-time Ed.D. program, but if you're considering the MPhil abroad, you'd have to be away from your current job + family anyway, so I thought I'd let you know this PhD option too in case you haven't heard and turn it down too soon. The PhD would also enable you to do the deep level of research you want, versus the Ed.D, which, as others have previously mentioned, is geared more practical training in Educational Administration instead of purely theoretical research (which isn't bad too, considering the salary). And if the supervisor is somebody renowned in your field, he may help launch you towards your desired research/practioner career (more likely than the other two options).

If you have more queries regarding the M.Phil program, you should perhaps visit TSR (The Student Room) -- it's a UK-based version of gradcafe, letting applicants/current students to share their perspectives on their respective departments with each other. There's a HUGE Univ. of Cambridge sticky on there, and a couple of M.Phil fellows in the Education department. Here's the link to this year's Cambridge graduate application thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1391338

Good luck! I know it's a very difficult decision to make. Sorry for the rambling, and let me know what you think of all this.