What are my chances in getting a job as a Professor? Please read details below.?

Question

I have a BA in Anthropology and Sociology. I am going to attend Capella University (an online school). I am going to get an MS in Mental Health Counseling. I will be licensed to Counsel, then I am going to continue to receive a PHD in Psychology Counseling. The reason why I am going to an online school, is because I am in the military, and I want to continue working on education no matter where I am.

Capella is a very good program, and it is also required for me to do 100 practicum hours and 1000 internship hours.

My dream is to become a Professor,

Is this Possible?

Would they hire me?

I know that online schools are looked down upon through academic institutions, but

if they know the reason of my decision, which is the army, would they re-condsider?

any advise would be helpful,

thanks.

oh, and I am planning on becoming a Medical Officer for Mental health in the army, so I will have that additional military training to help me out with becomina a professor.

Answer 1

Having a Ph.D. is GOOD and you can start off as a visiting lecturer / part time adjuct faculty. Then, as you gain experience and familiarize yourself with the school, once a fulltime tenure track position comes available, apply - they may already have you in mind to hire. You can do anything you put your mind to if you work hard at it.

Answer 2

It is very difficult to obtain a professorship these days. If you really want one, I highly discourage you from online degrees. They are ripoffs and not the kind of degrees that will be looked favorably upon, regardless of the reason. I know this seems unfair, but it is such a competitive environment that fairness just can't come into play. If you really want to be a professor, then I suggest you wait until you can attend an academic program in person. Your military experience ought to account for good characteristics that you can bring into your higher education experience as well as your training. Also, get a head start on looking at journals in the field of your interest. Start thinking about publication early within your field. Another good thing to realize is that the majority of people entering as an MA student or a PhD student are generally older people that are returning to school from different professions. Graduate schools like to see that people have had expereince outside of school and they don't necessarily like to take on students straight out of the undergraduate degree. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I know this is not the answer that you want to hear, but your chances of being hired as a professor at a 4 year college or university are nonexistent. Tenure-track positions at universities are extremely competitive, and online degrees are still not taken seriously.

This is primarily because one's "intellectual genealogy" is a critical factor in hiring practices. In other words, much depends on with whom you studied, who advised your dissertation, and who was on your committee. A doctoral candidacy is a process of mentorship. And your mentors count.

Here's my only piece of advice. Call or email the chair of the psychology department at a community college, and ask if community colleges hire folks with Capella degrees. That might be an arena for you to explore.