JD and Masters in Education Forum

[hopefullaw27]

I wanted to see if anyone had any experience or insight into simultaneously attaining a JD and a Masters in Education. For me, I'd like to eventually get into education policy work; however, would like to do some big law out of law school (pay off debt/see how it goes). I was wondering whether you think it'd be wise to do it simultaneously (penn has a 3 year program, nyu has 4 year program)...or go back and get a masters later when i'm ready to pursue a career in public policy/interest. Moreover, is a masters in education even necessary to enter said policy work? fwiw, I was an econ major, if that helps...

[Geist13]

I think the better question is: how necessary is a J.D. for education policy? Why not just get a PhD or an MPP with a concentration in education?

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/Leadershi ... ms/PhD.xml

[270910]

Masters degrees are completely worthless in 99% of the cases, and dual-degree programs are cash cows for universities and little else. You might enjoy the experience, but the odds that it will increase your employment prospects are basically 0. Get the JD and do well and people will take you seriously for a job that involves education policy. If you want the credential later you can always go back, but doubling down in the first place is somewhere between unnecessary and unwise.

[j.wellington]

If your life's not in a hurry, I would suggest applying to a two-year entry teaching program like Teach for America or NYC Teaching Fellows. You'll get your masters in education while earning a full-time salary, and it will help you get into law school. Some schools even reserve spots and scholarships for TFA alumni.

You don't really need a JD to do education policy, but it would be a good thing to have if you decide you don't want to do education policy. Also, you don't want to do education policy. The politics are disgusting.

[colleen]

I'm in the exact same position and decided to join Teach for America before law school. I figure it will give me the experience needed to enter education policy, and I'll be getting a master's degree from Johns Hopkins for about $5,000. I had looked into a lot of dual-degree programs as well. I had already applied to law schools and will be deferring my acceptance. Good luck!

[blsingindisguise]

An M.Ed is not going to be at all policy-oriented. It's a professional degree for teachers and that's it. Unless you plan to teach don't bother.

[smov_operator]

An M.Ed is not going to be at all policy-oriented. It's a professional degree for teachers and that's it. Unless you plan to teach don't bother.

Depends on the program. Some schools have different tracks for their MA, i.e. teaching, administration, policy, research, ect.

[hopefullaw27]

Any thoughts on how much more costly a master with jd would be?

Edit: thanks for all the posts so far

[smov_operator]

Any thoughts on how much more costly a master with jd would be?

Depends on the school. Many schools just charge you another year of law school tuition while you get the MA.