Thread: online PHD programs

Originally Posted by tfl2005

Do people think that online PHD programs in Educaiton are ok to do. I want to start my PHD (just got masters) but I want to work at the same time and save money. ANyone know of credible online PHD programs in ESL education?

Leslie is doing her Doctorate in *something* from *somewhere* right now (lol-- help me out Leslie!), and she can give you some insight. Of course, I would be VERY selective and careful about what you choose. It's a little easier up here in Canada, because only accredited universities and colleges are allowed to offer an online component. Several are now offering degrees, but it is a years-long process to become approved. I would be very confident recommending almost any Canadian program, but that may not do you any good.

Check first with your district's regional accreditation requirements. THEN eschew any of the "Get your Degree in just 2 weeks from the comfort of your own home!!!" types (ie-- Diploma Mills).


Finally-- make sure you know what terminal degree you want-- An EdD is much different, market-wise, than a PhD.

Don't know if this is helpful-- but Leslie will be!!

Lisa

I've been doing a lot of research into this. I mean a lot. Through reading articles on distance learning and talking to friends with PHDs This is what I have found.

It all depends on your goals. If you want to go into the administrative field and be a superintendant, or something like that then it is alright. If you want to teach in a college setting then online PHD or even correspondent PHD programs become problematic. There does not seem to be a lot of respect for PHD's gotten this way. One article put it like this.

Colleges and others with PHDs do not see them as genuine degrees because the person did not put in the time at a University.

My Doctorate friends agreed heartily with that outlook.

Having got my Masters on line I can tell you that the only thing different from an on campus degree was, I was getting real world experience while I got it. Not some esoteric load of theoretical BS supported only by the prof's ego. no matter what my experience was I see why those in academia feel this way. People see them as an easy way to get the degree. No blood sweat and tears as you starve your way through. It is bunk but a commonly held belief.

Just so, Mark. A big part of the problem is the fly-by-night diploma mills I mentioned earlier. However, the honest and credible online programs demand A LOT from their learners--who, as you say, Mark--are also likely gaining real-world experience at the same time....

Lisa

If the doctorate is from a regionally accredited university then it's fine for anything. There are plenty of professors at plenty of universities who got their degrees via distance learning.

The only people who think it's problematic are those who don't know anything about it and thing that it's "easy" -- I assure you it is not easy

My doctorate is in technology management, Lisa, because I figured that correlates very well with my interest and work in distance learning

I am finally moving into the administrative areas of faculty training. I've been heading in that direction for a couple of years and two opportunities finally came to fruition at the same time. So along with the grad courses I am teaching, I am also teaching faculty training courses (one I am developing).

The key to a doctorate is not where you get it (assuming it's regionally accredited), but that you choose a program that aligns with your career goals.

What are some accredited online programs in education?

Capella University
Fielding University
Union University
Walden University
Northcentral University
Nova Southeastern University
Universty of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pepperdine University
Touro University

Most require residencies for weekends or a couple of weeks in the summer. ALL are regionally accredited. I know people in all of these programs -- some are former grad students of mine who have gone on to enroll in doctoral programs. There are many more than the ones I've listed here.

As a holder of a masters in music, I recently did some research on online doctoral programs for the reasons mentioned in a previous post--wanting to work (or in my case, perform) and avoid having to "put my life on hold" for another 3 years or so on a campus. I heard from a colleague about Boston University Online, which offers (among many other degrees), a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education. The DMA is to a PhD as an M.M. is to an M.A. What stood out about B.U.'s program is it was the only online doctorate program I could find that was also certified by the NASM (National Assoc. of Schools of Music), which as far as I understand, is the "bottomline" for music educators--you don't want to pursue a degree from an institution that isn't NASM-certified (there are many of those).

My understanding is this program involves 2 years of online study and about 1 year of thesis writing (3 years), with a requirement of being on-campus (in Boston) only for about 10 days at the being of the thesis writing stage.

Also, B.U. is well-known as one of the institutions that pioneered distance education. You can check out their programs at:
[url="http://www.bu.edu/online/index.html"]http://www.bu.edu/online/index.html[/url]

Here are a few other websites with good links:
[url="http://www.classesusa.com/featuredschools/fos/index.html"]http://www.classesusa.com/featuredschoo ... index.html[/url]
[url="http://www.newsweekdistancelearning.com/index.php?source=googleadcore"]http://www.newsweekdistancelearning.com ... ogleadcore[/url]
[url="http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-doctorate/index.html"]http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-do ... index.html[/url]

Are you committed to the idea of on-line education programs?

The University of Pennsylvania offers free tuition with a monthly stipend for all Ph.D. candidates. You would essentially be working as a teaching assistant or research assistant if you were accepted.

I thought about doing this myself - but I'm 46. As an acquaintance who serves with a hiring review board for a major university pointed out, by the time I got my Ph.D. I'd be 49 ... and unfortunately at that age, I'd probably never be anything more than a lecturer. Even if I found a job as an associate professor, I'd probably never make tenure because I simply wouldn't be able to put in the years of work that a 30's something Ph.D. graduate could offer.

I've been debating as to whether or not an online doctoral degree would be good for me. I've looked into various programs and have decided to pursue an Ed.D. at Walden. For me, the degree will be to sharpen research and knowledge of professional practice. I'd like to finish my career at that level as it constitutes the pinnacle of academic and personal achievement to me at the secondary level.