A career in security policy - advice needed

[jmm99]

from another new member (SheldrakeHolmes - I quake at the etymology).

With respect to American MA vs British PhD, I really can't comment (not an SME there). But, going along with SH's equivalence as a valid conclusion, a dual degree (JD/MA) might be a good 3.5 to 4 total academic years ticket. E.g., presently, I should think "Law and Modern Middle Eastern & North African Studies (JD/MA)" would be hot - just as in my vintage "Law and Russian & East European Studies (JD/MA)" would have been hot.

PS: GLS -

A good law firm will put you on reduced payroll from graduation until you pass the Bar exam, then raise your pay accordingly.

I believe that is often true; but the firm where I was trained (official history and Wiki) started me at $X and 1 Jan of second year went to $X+1/6X (several months before my NY bar admission). I expect that was an across the board firm policy, but the unwritten rule was not to ask about or compare salaries - so, I don't know about others.