What would this fall under?

[_thatsmile]

Hi everyone! I'm a long-time lurker and I finally have a question that I need answered. I'm finishing up my undergrad with a major in political science and would like to get my masters in something that studies organized crime in the U.S. during the 20th century. My problem is that I don't really know what kind of program that would fall under.

Comments

[kahlan_amnell]

Depends on what you want to study and what your approach to studying that topic is. Consider books you like on the subject, written by professors. What field are those professors in? That might help you narrow down your options. Discussing your research interests with professors at your undergrad school will probably also help.

Good luck.

[_thatsmile]

Thank you so much for the great advice. I will definitely take a look at the educational background of professors who have written books that I am interested in. Unfortunately my undergrad doesn't have a strong program related to my field of interest but I'll still try to ask for some advice. Thanks again! :)

[gangur]

Studying organized crime is a good topic, but what specific aspect? What scholars have you read that have inspired you?

If you don't know yet, start reading and you'll figure out a field.

[_thatsmile]

I will definitely hit the books asap :)

[caernarvon]

It would actually fall under all of the above that you listed...

as someone mentioned, it will all depend on what aspect you're interested and what approach you want to take

[gangur]

Also, why do you want an MA?

If you LOOOOOVE research, do a PhD. An MA isn't a super practical degree. There are a few things that an MA is good for:

- a professional MA (like an MPH, MBA)
- going back for a terminal MA in order to increase your salary in your current profession (like an MA in education, international development, etc.)

But if you're just curious about continuing to study this particular topic with no end goal in mind, why spend ~$80k on it? An MA in something focusing on organized crime isn't going to get you a better job or make you significantly more competitive.

So my 2 cents - think about what your end goal is - if you want to be a professional researcher/academic, go for a PhD (which will be funded as well). Otherwise, get out there on the job market and see what you can do with your poli sci BA. Then check out some books on organized crime at the library.

[_thatsmile]

Wow! I just assumed that you needed to have a masters degree to get into a PhD program. I will look into this. Thanks!!!! :)

[gangur]

Yes, if your undergrad GPA isn't good (what is good... well, I'd say if it isn't above a 3.5? 3.3 maybe?) or you don't do well on the GRE, then an MA can certainly get you into a PhD program. But most PhD programs, as I understand it, would rather have you for 5 years (MA and PhD). Plus that way, you get the funding the whole way through. Finding an MA program that will fund you is TOUGH.

But, as was said, you need to back away from the topic and look more at the "what" -- history? Maybe how these organizations organized themselves? What particular social phenomenon is of interest to you?

[roseofjuly]

In most of the fields you are looking at (especially history and sociology), if you have solid undergrad stats that won't be the case :) You can go directly into a PhD program with a BA, and save a lot of money in the process if research is your eventual goal.

[anonymous]

I agree that if you want to do research, get a PhD. I go to the University of Florida and there is a professor here that studies crime (prisons and drug trade). He works in the criminology and history departments. His PhD is in history from Carnegie Mellon.

[anese]

GO TARTANS (sorry, fellow alumni cheer)