professional IR MA to poli sci PHD?

[redrover]

Hi guys,

I've been accepted to several terminal masters programs, one of which is academic in focus and the rest professional masters degrees in International Relations (i.e. SAIS, Georgetown MSFS, Columbia SIPA). Although I'm more interested in becoming a policy practitioner in the future, as opposed to teaching and working on theory, I would like to keep the door open for applying to top polisci PhD programs in the future. One thing I heard when I raised this concern with professors at the professional schools is that getting an MA in IRs at a professional schools can potentially hurt your PhD application because adcoms will see you as having veered away from the theoretical path, not to mention that it would be difficult to complete methods and math courses that could enhance my competitiveness. I did well in undergrad as a polisci major at a top university, having written an honors thesis and maintained a strong GPA. So I need your advice. To what extent would going the prof IR route close doors for top PhD programs? I ask now because I have to respond to the masters programs in a week.

Thanks for your help.

[jackassjim]

I get the feeling that applying for admission to PhD programs in view of pursuing a career in academia is not really an option you can casually keep open as a Plan B. If you go the policy route, you will have serious explaining to do in your statement of purpose, and you better be able to show that you know what is an interesting research question in political science. I do think it's possible though, but I tend to agree with your profs that it's putting yourself up for an uphill battle. Also, from the other perspective, the policy degrees will probably open much more doors when comes time to find a job in a field where people actually work for a living (you know, saving the planet and such...).

Sorry I can't give you any better advice. I've never been on an admission committee obviously. Maybe you want to go ask in the "Prospective students questions" section of the job rumors website.