PHD vs second masters degree

[akowalski1502]

I graduated recently with a 5 year undergraduate Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. I currently am pursuing a Urban Design Masters Degree. I have aspirations to work for a Think Tank and focus on the sociology of urban environments (specifically post industrial environments) as an area of research. I have been informed that many governmental and academic research institutions prefer Ph. D credentials. I am interested in either obtaining a Ph. D or another masters degree focusing on urban studies in some aspect. I eventually would like to teach at a university level which is another reason why I want to pursue further education.

My question is. What Ph. D and masters programs are available in this research area that would compliment my Landscape Architecture and Urban Design backgrounds.

I am interested in what others may have discovered to add to my own list.

Thanks!

[The One]

You should get a PhD in some kind of management.

[chocolatechip]

You need to look into Urban Studies programs, or Sociology with an emphasis in urban stuff, or something along those lines. And yes, if you want to work for a think tank, you should get a PhD. Why? Because people at think tanks research, and a PhD is about doing your own research.

[H]

To start, I would look at the think tanks you wish to work at and the Us you wish to teach at and see what their degrees are. Then I would contact folks there and ask what they think.

[EVT]

Originally posted by akowalski1502

I graduated recently with a 5 year undergraduate Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. I currently am pursuing a Urban Design Masters Degree. I have aspirations to work for a Think Tank and focus on the sociology of urban environments (specifically post industrial environments) as an area of research. I have been informed that many governmental and academic research institutions prefer Ph. D credentials. I am interested in either obtaining a Ph. D or another masters degree focusing on urban studies in some aspect. I eventually would like to teach at a university level which is another reason why I want to pursue further education.

My question is. What Ph. D and masters programs are available in this research area that would compliment my Landscape Architecture and Urban Design backgrounds.

I am interested in what others may have discovered to add to my own list.

Thanks!

Hi akowalski!

I was in the same situation one year ago. I was thinking about how should I come back to the graduate school, if as Master's Student or as PhD student.
I talked to my boss and my Master Thesis advisor, both said the same: "You should go for the PhD!". Some of the reasons that they mentioned were: having two masters degree is not the same as having a masters and a PhD; you would have the same research load during the first two years, while in the future the PhD degree will have a bigger bearing in your career.

Actually, some colleagues told me that if I would like to get in at one top school, you should apply for one position at the Master level, then you'll be able to get in at the PhD Program. However, at the end I decided to go straight for the PhD degree, which is the path that I took last year in the application process, considering that what I wanted was not only a top school, but also a place where a Faculty member would be happy to guide me as well as support me during the development of my dissertation, which means having common research interests.

By the way, what did you decide at the end?

[nrschmid]

Why are you working on a second design degree if you ultimately want to work as a researcher?