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[gregthomas77]

I am sure tons of people have gone through this before, but I am looking for advice.  I am in a non-tt, lecturer position and I do not have a terminal degree.  I was planning on pursuing a terminal degree at a nearby (2 hour drive each way) university, but it is looking more and more like that is not going to work.  To be specific, one of the roles I am asked to fill at my university (outside of my four classes per semester) requires A LOT of my time and I believe it will prevent me from taking classes.  I can't really afford one to be a part of an online program (they are expensive), and so I seem to be in a catch-22.

I will never be able to secure a TT position at my university without a terminal degree (and I almost assuredly would be moved into one as soon as I do have my terminal degree), but in order to get that degree I would need to cut back on some of the things I do for my university, which is not a viable solution.

Any ideas?

[oseph]

The obvious solution would be to apply to terminal degree programs and, if accepted with financial aid paying tuition and a stipend, accept the offer and quit your job.  I am assuming that you are not interested in doing this because of your family situation or financial situation or something like that.  Could you confirm whether this is the case, so we can rule this out as an option?

[goldenapple]

Our university system will grant a leave of absence (unpaid) for non-tt faculty who have taught full-time for a minimum of 6 years. Most people don't know about this, and it's relatively new, so few people have taken advantage of it. However, you might want to look into the options at your university for a leave of absence, course buyout, professional development leave, and so on. Maybe there's an option you don't know about, because no one in your department has taken advantage of it. It's worth investigating.

[gregthomas77]

The obvious solution would be to apply to terminal degree programs and, if accepted with financial aid paying tuition and a stipend, accept the offer and quit your job.  I am assuming that you are not interested in doing this because of your family situation or financial situation or something like that.  Could you confirm whether this is the case, so we can rule this out as an option?

Confirmed.  I have 3 kids and another on the way.  Going back to being a full time student is not an option.

[gregthomas77]

Our university system will grant a leave of absence (unpaid) for non-tt faculty who have taught full-time for a minimum of 6 years. Most people don't know about this, and it's relatively new, so few people have taken advantage of it. However, you might want to look into the options at your university for a leave of absence, course buyout, professional development leave, and so on. Maybe there's an option you don't know about, because no one in your department has taken advantage of it. It's worth investigating.

We don't have anything like that, I have looked. 

[watermarkup]

What's your field? What's the terminal degree?
How many semesters of coursework would be required? Can you take summer courses?
Are you well paid for the extra things you're doing for your university? If it's on top of a 4-4 load, it'd better pay well.

Have you talked about your dilemma with your supervisor? If your university really likes you, they'll be as interested in you getting the degree as you are.

Does your spouse work? If so, go get that terminal degree. However much he or she makes, I guarantee that there are grad students at the university next door getting by on less.
But I'm guessing that your spouse is home full-time with the kids, right?

How small are your kids? I knew people in grad school with that many kids.
If your kids are in grade school, then suck it up for a couple years to do your coursework. It's only going to get more difficult as they get older. Do you want to still be a lecturer when they hit high school?

[gregthomas77]

What's your field? What's the terminal degree?

My field is communication.  I want to pursue either an MFA in Film Production (Cohort program causes scheduling problems) or a PhD in Communication.  Both are at some distance from my home (at least 90 minutes each way).

How many semesters of coursework would be required? Can you take summer courses?

Three years for the MFA (can't be done faster, program rules) or 4-5 years for the PhD (not counting dissertation) depending on what kind of load I could manage.  Summer courses are hard too because most of the courses for the programs come up in the rotation during the summer.

Are you well paid for the extra things you're doing for your university? If it's on top of a 4-4 load, it'd better pay well.

For the area, and for someone with only a MA, I am paid pretty well.  Originally I was supposed to get release time for the extra stuff I do, but the budget crisis has led to people getting less release time.

Have you talked about your dilemma with your supervisor? If your university really likes you, they'll be as interested in you getting the degree as you are.

My chair is not helpful, and my dean says talk to my chair.  We are getting a new chair this coming year, so that might help.  That being said, I don't think so.

Does your spouse work? If so, go get that terminal degree. However much he or she makes, I guarantee that there are grad students at the university next door getting by on less.
But I'm guessing that your spouse is home full-time with the kids, right?

Full time, at home.  Right.

How small are your kids? I knew people in grad school with that many kids.

7,5,2, and a newborn on the way in October.  

If your kids are in grade school, then suck it up for a couple years to do your coursework. It's only going to get more difficult as they get older. Do you want to still be a lecturer when they hit high school?

No I don't.  

[kedves]

Given the constraints you mention, the best option I see is to start now part-time if the program will allow it, even if it is only one course at a time, and wait to go full-time until the youngest is in or near pre-school or kindergarten.  I am assuming that your spouse will work full-time outside the home when baby-on-the-way is in first grade.  This will have to be a long-term plan.

I will never be able to secure a TT position at my university without a terminal degree (and I almost assuredly would be moved into one as soon as I do have my terminal degree)...

I would be cautious about counting on that.  It might be true, but it is also something that is very hard to know even if you have been given a specific promise. 

You haven't said why you want a TT job--if it is for additional income, job security, or to accomplish research goals.

[kamiakin]

You seem to have painted yourself into a corner, I am afraid. Something has to give, and the something may be your dream of becoming TT faculty. Have you thought about going into administration?

[gregthomas77]

Given the constraints you mention, the best option I see is to start now part-time if the program will allow it, even if it is only one course at a time, and wait to go full-time until the youngest is in or near pre-school or kindergarten.  I am assuming that your spouse will work full-time outside the home when baby-on-the-way is in first grade.  This will have to be a long-term plan.

I will never be able to secure a TT position at my university without a terminal degree (and I almost assuredly would be moved into one as soon as I do have my terminal degree)...

I would be cautious about counting on that.  It might be true, but it is also something that is very hard to know even if you have been given a specific promise. 

You haven't said why you want a TT job--if it is for additional income, job security, or to accomplish research goals.

I want a TT job for additional income and job security.

[gregthomas77]

You seem to have painted yourself into a corner, I am afraid. Something has to give, and the something may be your dream of becoming TT faculty. Have you thought about going into administration?

That is what I am afraid of.  I have thought about administration, but I am unsure how to proceed down that path, plus I fear the lack of a terminal degree will lead to the same problems there.

[gregthomas77]

By the way, I was doing the math today, and counting travel time (which is a big part of it, but I count it because I am required to do it and not be at home), my work outside of teaching for the university will be a minimum of 800 hours of work over the course of the academic year.  Crazy.  That's why I have no time to advance my own career while I am in this position.

[kamiakin]

You seem to have painted yourself into a corner, I am afraid. Something has to give, and the something may be your dream of becoming TT faculty. Have you thought about going into administration?

That is what I am afraid of.  I have thought about administration, but I am unsure how to proceed down that path, plus I fear the lack of a terminal degree will lead to the same problems there.

It might, but at least as an administrator you would have a higher salary and perhaps more flexibility to pursue an additional degree. Plus you could get one of those degrees designed for admin critters--an Ed.D. in "Educational Leadership" or some such. These programs are watered down designed for working professionals with online components, short summer residences, and cohort models to push everyone along.

As to getting a foot in the door of administration, get to know people in student services, registration, and areas like that.

[kedves]

You seem to have painted yourself into a corner, I am afraid. Something has to give, and the something may be your dream of becoming TT faculty. Have you thought about going into administration?

That is what I am afraid of.  I have thought about administration, but I am unsure how to proceed down that path, plus I fear the lack of a terminal degree will lead to the same problems there.

It might, but at least as an administrator you would have a higher salary and perhaps more flexibility to pursue an additional degree. Plus you could get one of those degrees designed for admin critters--an Ed.D. in "Educational Leadership" or some such. These programs are watered down designed for working professionals with online components, short summer residences, and cohort models to push everyone along.

As to getting a foot in the door of administration, get to know people in student services, registration, and areas like that.

I think this is good advice considering your goals.  Your current university might offer an Ed.D. which would make it all much easier in terms of time and tuition.  Do some information interviews with people whose jobs interest you.

Except for the highest levels, these jobs have not been more secure at my university and many others in the current economic climate.  This will pass, but job security is not a definite feature of a type of job at the moment.

You will have to consider how much you would miss teaching vs. the benefits of a change.

[london1]

...I will never be able to secure a TT position at my university without a terminal degree (and I almost assuredly would be moved into one as soon as I do have my terminal degree), but in order to get that degree I would need to cut back on some of the things I do for my university, which is not a viable solution.

Any ideas?

How (and perhaps more importantly, by whom) have you been assured that you would move into a TT position upon earning your terminal degree?  I believe you said your chair is not "helpful."  Is it the dean who has assured you of a TT position?

Suggestions about pursuing administration are good.  Do you have any experience in administration?  What are the extra duties that you perform for the university?  Anything administrative, perhaps?  If so, your MA may be enough for some administrative positions at your university.

I think we need a bit more information to offer some targeted advice.