Does obtaining a Ph.D in your field matter?

[KSUViolet06]

In my particular field (counseling), it doesn't really, unless you want to get into teaching at a college/university.

If you're looking to make the jump into Clinical Psych or something, it's necessary.

[LadyDread2010]

So,in your field,it would depend on your area of interest. But you could still get it anyway,and not be a professor,right?

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

In my particular field (counseling), it doesn't really, unless you want to get into teaching at a college/university.

If you're looking to make the jump into Clinical Psych or something, it's necessary.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LadyDread2010

So,in your field,it would depend on your area of interest. But you could still get it anyway,and not be a professor,right?

Pretty much.

You could get it, but it would be pointless if you're not interested in academia in some way.

The only people I know in the counseling field with Ph.D. are those with teaching interests, or those who are looking to get into Psych (where you need one to do ANYTHING).

[AKA_Monet]

I have my PhD in molecular genetics. And I was attempting to go for the professor track, but due to several personal setbacks, I left my field altogether and am doing something wholly different.

A Ph.D. in any field teaches you some basics, what the current literature is of your interest, understanding it, defending your thoughts, and writing about it for publications. Afterward, you have to write grants, etc. to stay in the field. You have to interact with your field's experts, etc by making presentations, etc.

IMHO, you don't need a Ph.D. if you want to get paid and have the oooolala job.

But those letters behind your name make you the expert in the field of which you speak, without having really to publish in that area. Especially if you KNOW it.

The only difference is, you can NOT a physician, and laypeople often are confused.

Think about it this way, in the United Kingdom, they view the Philosophy of Doctorate higher than they do physician... Probably, long ago, a physician was also the undertaker and graver...

[DoctorD]

If higher ed is your career goal, then do not get an online degree. We routinely eliminate people from candidate pools who have an online degree.

[LadyDread2010]

Why does it matter if they have an online degree? Is it accreditation?

Originally Posted by DoctorD

If higher ed is your career goal, then do not get an online degree. We routinely eliminate people from candidate pools who have an online degree.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by LadyDread2010

Why does it matter if they have an online degree? Is it accreditation?

Among other things.

Don't get me started on online MBAs...