What school to get Math MS - impact on getting CC teaching job?
February 9, 2018 2:55 PM Subscribe
I have an undergraduate degree in math and want to get a masters so I can teach community college. I’m choosing between three Tier 2 universities in Arizona - ASU, UA, NAU - that all come w teaching assistantships. The programs are virtually indistinguishable except one (NAU) offers a 2nd non-thesis track with coursework emphasizing Teaching Community College Mathematics. How much, if at all, will my choice influence community college hiring decisions?
Response by poster: Good point, I admit I’ve been prey to that assumption. I’ll check into it right away. Hopefully the fact there are 14 CC’s in my target areas bodes well, but it’s a vital cautionary note. Thanks.
posted by carriest at 6:59 PM on February 9, 2018
posted by carriest at 6:59 PM on February 9, 2018
I know of numerous young community college professors with "just" Master's degrees, including in AZ, but I think MattD makes a good point about absolutely making sure you have the degree needed. I am an adjunct community college instructor in my state: in order to adjunct or even teach dual enrollment in high school, we are required to have our Master's in the subject area. For example, a MS in Math might be OK but a MS in Math Education with a focus on Teaching Community College, ironically, may not.
Are these degrees fully funded? A teaching assistantship will be important for experience assuming they don't overload you. I'd check with current TAs and people in the programs to see what they think of the coursework and teaching load, namely how long it's taking them and if they feel supported and happy. Are you considering getting your PhD? If so, it would be nice to have the option of continuing there should you wish. Last but not least, as an East Coaster, I can tell you that ASU and AU have more name recognition here; however, it really shouldn't matter, especially if you love the program at NAU, and I'm not in academic hiring.
posted by smorgasbord at 7:03 PM on February 9, 2018
Are these degrees fully funded? A teaching assistantship will be important for experience assuming they don't overload you. I'd check with current TAs and people in the programs to see what they think of the coursework and teaching load, namely how long it's taking them and if they feel supported and happy. Are you considering getting your PhD? If so, it would be nice to have the option of continuing there should you wish. Last but not least, as an East Coaster, I can tell you that ASU and AU have more name recognition here; however, it really shouldn't matter, especially if you love the program at NAU, and I'm not in academic hiring.
posted by smorgasbord at 7:03 PM on February 9, 2018
Best answer: UA has a substantial math education community within the math department, so you can focus your coursework and/or research in that area while still having a degree in mathematics. I don't know much about CC hiring but my hunch would be that a graduate degree from ASU or UA, R1 universities, would have an edge over NAU for higher-ed jobs generally--maybe more so if you also want to apply for teaching jobs at four-year colleges too. And as smorgasbord mentions, if you decide to continue with a PhD, you could do that at ASU or UA.
If you have any specific questions about UA Math or Tucson, feel free to MeMail me--I'm close to finishing my Ph.D. there and also teaching in another division of the university.
posted by egregious theorem at 8:41 PM on February 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you have any specific questions about UA Math or Tucson, feel free to MeMail me--I'm close to finishing my Ph.D. there and also teaching in another division of the university.
posted by egregious theorem at 8:41 PM on February 9, 2018 [1 favorite]
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MJD
posted by MattD at 5:50 PM on February 9, 2018 [2 favorites]