PHD.....is it possible to find grants/loans

[tar heel]

I'm not sure many universities have actual policies against hiring their own PhDs, but there's a variety of reasons they don't hire many in addition to the "fresh ideas" NotUrsala mentioned. One obvious one is that they're trying to fill various research and teaching niches, and the doctoral student's advisor may very well already have the one the student is going for.

 

[sookie]

PhD student here - married to one too.

Usually there are fellowships out there - if you are full time. Scholarships too. However, if you are part time, usually you end up with student loans.

 

[sookie]

You do know, don't you, that at almost all universities it is policy that they do not hire faculty who completed their terminal degrees at that university? They want people with fresh ideas, so they want you to bring that terminal degree from elsewhere.

I had to leave a technician job and move cross-country when I finished my terminal degree. I would have been willing to stay put for awhile and save up some money for the move, but the rule was that we were given 180 days to leave.

That really used to be true, but it depends on the area (profession and research interest area) and the school now. If it is a shortage area like nursing, that doesn't always apply...

 

[Swan4Me]

I am curious -to all those posting here getting a PHD-how unusual is it for someone the age of the OP's DH (I'm guessing late 40's-early 50's from kid's ages) to go back and get a PHD?

 

[sookie]

In my cohort most of us are 20's and 30's, same for my husband.

 

[crisi]

I am curious -to all those posting here getting a PHD-how unusual is it for someone the age of the OP's DH (I'm guessing late 40's-early 50's from kid's ages) to go back and get a PHD?

If the PhD he is considering is Business - it actually isn't that unusual. A lot of business people work for a few years, get MBAs in their 30s, work for a few more years, then leave the rat race (either by choice or not) and turn to teaching. Very few college kids say "And I'll get a PhD in Accounting!"

 

[TammyAlphabet]

This. Be aware that more and more universities are hiring part-time adjuncts with no benefits to replace retiring tenured faculty. Also many tenured faculty are "tenured" in that they have a job, but they are required to get grants to help fund the university. Going rate is around 45% of all grants go to "facilities and administration" for the university.

However, if the business school wants AACSB accreditation, and most do, they must have a certain level of "PhD coverage". They will continue to hire PhD's at the higher salaries if they are to keep their accreditation. As for the grants, my university wants us to apply for grants but there is no requirement whatsoever. I have never even applied for one.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Would he really be able to get his PhD while keeping his job? I know a certain amount of the teaching DH did was part of his program, so it had to be done at the school he attended- not at another school as a paid job. If he hadn't been able to put in so many hours it would have taken much, much longer if it was possible at all.

Most programs that are well respected, do not accept part time students and most do not allow their students to hold outside jobs. They invest alot of money and time in their students and expect full attention from the students.

 

[emma'smom]

Actually, I would disagree overall (but maybe you are referring to business fields only). However, my doctorate is from the top program in the country...a well-known Ivy League institution. My program was completely a traditional, onsite model. I completed my master's degree full-time...but then ended up working full-time while I completed my doctorate. It made much more sense of be "in the field" while completing coursework and research assistantships as it gave me more perspective.

That being said, I was in my 20's at the time (no kids, lots of energy) and pretty much all I did was work, study, and do research. I barely slept....and every outing usually included me dragging along a textbook of some sort.

I completed my dissertation during the first few years of my faculty position-- I was hired ABD--but did have clearly defined expectations for completion of my dissertation.

Also, the road to tenure was rigorous and long, requiring sacrifices in time and $$....but rewarding-- I've had the opportunity to travel to places I never dreamed of for conference presentations...and love the fact that I get paid to research and teach about the stuff that interests me most (and to get others interested in the same issues/ideas).

P.S. AT-- After Tenure--- it's a good life! Things have become a bit more balanced since I was tenured-- I actually have more responsibilities, but more freedom to say "yes" and "no" to different opportunities.

Most programs that are well respected, do not accept part time students and most do not allow their students to hold outside jobs. They invest alot of money and time in their students and expect full attention from the students.