Phd in Public Affairs vs. Phd in Sociology? (degrees, MBA, psychology)

[julesevar]

I am currently in a Masters of Public Affairs program and work in state government. I work full time and go to school part time. I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of job prospects getting a Phd in Public Affairs or Sociology, or would a Master's degree in Public Affairs be enough to get the same type of jobs? I would have to quit my job to go to the Phd program and would more than likely be funded or I would not do it. I am more than likely not looking to go into academia unless some school decides to hire me of course!

[Ruth4Truth]

Why would you go on for a PhD, if you already have a full-time job in state gov't? To upgrade your job? Once you complete your MA, what jobs will you be eligible for? An MA may be all you need to improve your pay. Have you researched this?

[L210]

A Master of Public Affairs is a professional degree like the MBA, so it's terminal. A PhD is a research degree that's needed to advance and, sometimes, just to even get your foot in the door in academia (or licensure in the field of psychology). Maybe someone else will have more information, but I can't tell you for sure if a PhD will do you any good. In the area of I/O psychology, a PhD is usually preferred for consultants. My guess is that public affairs is a lot like an MBA or MPA in that those degrees are fine for most management jobs. Most people don't need to go further and get a DBA or DPA. Public Affairs and Sociology are two very different subjects that are applicable to different types of jobs. When sociologists work in the private sector, they are usually working with statistics, doing market analysis, or consulting criminal justice and social service agencies. Public affairs is concerned with public administration and public policy.

[Tinawina]

Originally Posted by L210

A Master of Public Affairs is a professional degree like the MBA, so it's terminal. A PhD is a research degree that's needed to advance and, sometimes, just to even get your foot in the door in academia (or licensure in the field of psychology). Maybe someone else will have more information, but I can't tell you for sure if a PhD will do you any good. In the area of I/O psychology, a PhD is usually preferred for consultants. My guess is that public affairs is a lot like an MBA or MPA in that those degrees are fine for most management jobs. Most people don't need to go further and get a DBA or DPA. Public Affairs and Sociology are two very different subjects that are applicable to different types of jobs. When sociologists work in the private sector, they are usually working with statistics, doing market analysis, or consulting criminal justice and social service agencies. Public affairs is concerned with public administration and public policy.

This is correct, OP. I second this poster.

An MPA is the public sector equivalent to an MBA. You don't need anything else if you want to advance in the public sector.

The PhD in Public affairs is necessary for a career in academia or if you want to be hired to do research. A PhD in Sociology is similar, outside academia it basically makes you qualified to do research or consult in sociology related areas. PhDs also get hired to run non-profits sometimes but it is far from necessary.

[Huckleberry3911948]

much better sociology. when u r working at mcdonalds trying to pay off that mega student loan u will understand the behavior of the people around u much better.