I was wondering how journalism schools go about picking
who gets to join their faculty. As a young, aspiring journalist with
only about two years of experience under my belt, I doubt that I'd be
given the opportunity to teach journalism. That being said, I might be
interested in doing so down the road when I gain more experience.
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Do you think that possessing a master's degree in journalism or
communications would improve a person's chances of landing a teaching
position in the journalism department of a college or university? It
seems like the majority of journalism professors possess advanced
degrees, which I suppose isn't unusual, because an M.A. or a Ph.D. is
essentially a prerequisite for academic employment.
Vincent
I asked people in three different programs, and across the
board they said that a person in your position should begin making
plans to get a Ph.D. Each of the three had distinguished print or
broadcast careers before they went into academia.
Arlene Morgan, associate dean at the
Columbia University Graduate
School of Journalism: "For the most part, journalism schools and
schools of communication with a journalism division require a master's
or Ph.D. with a combination of some professional experience in
journalism. Some schools offer professional-track positions for people
in the business who have had outstanding careers.
"If you are serious about teaching someday, you should find a job as an
adjunct, either assisting a full-time faculty member or running your
own course. Adjuncts don't make much money, but it is a good way to
find out if you like teaching and working with students who are pretty
raw. It's also the most direct way to get the school acquainted with
your skills. If you like teaching and don't have an advanced degree, it
would be a smart idea to pursue one so that if a tenure or
professional-track position opens, you would be qualified for
consideration. I also
recommend finding a book or research project that advances some area of
journalism scholarship. That is essential. Knowledge of the craft
across all the platforms of print and electronic would also be helpful
since so many schools expect teachers to be literate in convergence."
Loren Ghiglione, former dean of the Medill School of
Journalism at Northwestern University: "In this world of credentials, a
Ph.D. counts more than a master's degree. But at the best journalism
schools, those that put a priority on reporting and writing, a talented
professional/teacher with only a master's (even a bachelor's) still can
find a home. Tomorrow, however, I suspect a Ph.D. will be even more
important than it is today."
Mike Lewis, my boss and journalism director at Oakland University, where I am an adjunct: "One of my mentors told me that a Ph.D. is essentially 'a union card
for universities.' It's true. Just as a carpenter may not get a job
without his union card, a teacher won't get a tenure-track university
appointment without a Ph.D. (unless their experience is truly
world class).
"Most universities require at least a master's degree, and preferably a
Ph.D., for full-time faculty positions. They want a person who has
practical experience, but also has knowledge of theory, teaching
methods and scholarly research."
Coming Thursday: An ex-journalist who is now a professor wonders whether there are mid-career internships for her.
