Hi! Looking for some advice, any and all opinions are welcome and appreciated! I graduated with a history degree in May of 2019, wrote a senior thesis on late Qing China and for a was heavily considering applying for a PhD before deciding it made more sense for me to try and enter the work force first. I'm glad I chose to spend the past year working full time as it's definitely helped me understand some things about myself better but have once again reached a point where I'm looking into pursuing a second degree. It's becoming pretty clear to me each day that a return to school is really the only career path that I view with any sort of excitement, although I understand that my experience in the work force is pretty negligible and it would be reasonable to say that there are other careers out there that would feel fulfilling, I just haven't had any exposure to them yet. That, alongside the fact that my research interests have changed dramatically since undergrad, and the post-graduate school job market is obviously not going to be stellar anytime soon, have definitely had me on the fence about going ahead and applying to a program. Taking some consolation in the fact that there's no real age limit on when I can apply and 23 is still very young.
That being said - I'm curious what the difference between getting a Master's degree and a PhD in history are? Off the bat I know that a Master's degree is going to be expensive since the funding structure is much different, I've often heard that a Master's isn't worth it unless someone else is paying for it, how true is that? And how does one search for an MA program that feels applicable? Do you focus on professors you want to study with the same way you would for a PhD? Viewing this as a way to get my head together and solidify my interests and abilities as I prepare to eventually apply for a PhD, while still coming out rather quickly with some applicable skills in other realms should at the end of two years I realize that further study isn't for me. Would love to hear any takes on this and am happy to provide more info if it would be helpful!
Thanks!
I definitely wouldn’t do any history postgrad degree you need to pay for. A master’s won’t really do much for you in the job market. I suggest you only do a fully funded PhD with a livable stipend. Do not take out loans or dip into savings to get an advanced degree in history. It’s not a sound investment.
If you are an American and a competitive applicant, one path you might want to consider is to look into Master's programs in the UK. From my experience, there are generally more funding opportunities available for Americans there: for instance, the Marshall, Gates, Rhodes, as well as a number of smaller institution-specific fellowships. However, I completely agree with the advice given so far: do not pursue a graduate degree if you have to pay for it. It's almost never going to be worth it.
One other point: if teaching is what you want to pursue, you should just keep in mind that universities, in general, care a lot more about research than teaching. To get a solid job these days, you absolutely must have an impressive research record with publications in high-caliber journals and presses. You also have to be extraordinarily lucky and willing to move anywhere--I mean, to the middle of nowhere--to pursue this career. If you have a partner, your partner must also be on board with this life path. Sorry to sound all doom and gloom, but it's a career that involves a ridiculous amount of sacrifice that most people are just not willing to put in. So you should think through all that before devoting 5+ years to getting a PhD.
Any advanced degree of any kind opens up an entirely new level of career options both in academics and beyond. In that regard a Master's degree is definitely worth it.
Competition in the workforce in general is increasing and anything a person can do to set themselves apart is a beneficial idea.
Having said that, the choice between a Master's degree and a PhD depends on what career you are aspiring to have. If you are wanting to teach History at a university, prestigious or not, a PhD is the best path. Tenure-track careers are incredibly competitive and rely on experience and published works in addition to a degree.
If, instead, you would like to work at a museum, or as an analyst, researcher, archivist, or restorer, then a Master's degree is generally sufficient. Those with Master's degrees in history also commonly work in the private sector and for NGO's.
Where would you like a PhD to possibly lead you?