The value of a PhD depends on what direction you wish your career to take, and the discipline of the museum. Keep in mind a PhD is a research-oriented degree; applying various analytical techniques to a problem -- a problem based in the philosophy and existing knowledge of the discipline. If you wish to pursue research projects at a later date, whether in a museum or other arena, the skills developed during a PhD program are critical. -many granting agencies will not fund research-oriented grants to individuals without research credentials (translate that for most cases to mean a PhD). -many universities will not easily permit non-PhD's to teach undergraduate & graduate courses (it does happen, but in the sciences, it frequently takes a direct attack on the bureaucracy to do so). - the scientific disciplines tend to be more chauvanistic about terminal degrees than the humanities -- If for example, you are in the sciences and wish to work in an administrative capacity in a university museum, you would be at a serious disadvantage without the PhD - I am not an advocate of across the board, yes you need a PhD - it is an individual situation/preference/need decision. But yes, in some areas of museum work there is a decided advantage in having a PhD. -- Paisley S. Cato, Ph.D. e-mail: [log in to unmask] Curator of Collections phone: 703-666-8634 Virginia Museum of Natural History fax: 703-632-6487 1001 Douglas Ave., Martinsville, VA 24112