So I know this is not the most typical question to post on your blog but I'm musing something a little different than I usually do. I'm trying to decide if I want to pursue my Ph.D. or my Ed.D. For those that don't know what these acronyms mean...a Ph.D. is a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education. An Ed.D. is a Doctorate in Education. While this doesn't seem like such a big difference...the study plan is very different. The Ph.D. is a full time degree and would require me taking at least 4 years off from teaching. For those of you that are not teachers, you don't understand. I LOVE my job. Seriously! I am completely absorbed in 22 little lives for 9 months a year and I get the other 3 to train for the other 9 months. It's like heaven to me. I have a really difficult time explaining the love of my profession to others. So it's difficult for you to understand why I would be heartbroken to take 4 years off. At the same time, I LOVE learning and furthering my own education. And who doesn't want to be doctor?
The Ed.D program is online and can be done while I'm teaching but I'm afraid I may drown in too much work and never, ever sleep. I'm not nice when I don't sleep. And there is a stigma attached to an Ed.D. That it is not as prestigious as a Ph.D. I don't want people to look down their nose at me. I don't like that. So why wouldn't I want to further my education as far as possible.
If I've described the two side incorrectly, please let me know.
If you have an opinion, you are welcome to post but I'm kind of an "Askhole". Don't know what that is? Its a person who asks opinions and then does what they want to do anyway.
:-)
