I am exploring various online doctorate programs in IT and would like some input. I'd like to know which of these degrees would open the most opportunities for me in teaching. Dakota State is $30k and the rest are $60k. Dakota State Univ. -- D.Sc. Information Systems Southern Methodist Univ. -- Ph.D. in Computer Science Columbia University -- D.Eng.Sc. in Computer Science Nova Southeastern Univ. -- Ph.D. in Computer Science Capella University -- Ph.D. in Information Technology Colorado Technical Univ. -- Doctor of Computer Science * If there are other online doctorates in IT let me know! I have 20+ years experience in IT wearing many different hats. I have one more semester left for my MS in Computer Science. I live full time in an RV traveling all over U.S. seeing the sights. I hope to get into online teaching so I can keep traveling. That's also why I'm leaning towards online schools. Thanks!
In your list, I would choose Ph.D in Computer Science from Southern Methodist University. One thing though, is the program at SMU online? I am a SMU alumnus, but I have never heard of it. I know SMU offers Doctor of Engineering in Software Engineering for awhile, but not sure about Ph.D. The next one would be DEngSc from Columbia University, after that would be Ph.D in Computer Science from Nova Southeastern University. Capella University and Colorado Tech, you might or might not have any chance to find full time tenure track.
According to their website they have three IT related doctorates available via distance education. I haven't gotten more details yet other than their website. Programs - Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering - SMU
The site is wrong, I spoke with Abigail Smith at my graduation in December 2010. She told me the information is wrong. If you go to their site at the request information, the Ph.D/D.E program are full or part time on campus only.
Would you have to pay for your doctoral study or would it be paid for you, e.g., through GI Bill? If you pay out of pocket or rack up student loans, you have to think about ROI. Also, I would try applying for online adjunct gigs based on your MS. CS is one of the few areas where Master's degree holders have a decent chance to be considered without someone on the inside pulling strings, especially someone like you with voluminous experience.
I definitely plan to apply for online adjunct jobs once I finish my masters degree. I have been doing some teaching to build up experience. I would be paying out of my pocket for a doctorate (savings not loans). I understand the ROI risks, but I would be doing a doctorate for personal reasons as well. I live very cheap at the moment. I live in an RV on govt. land with solar power and campfires. So no auto payment, no mortgage, no homeowners insurance, no property tax, no electric, no natural gas, no water/sewer bill and no commuting for work. I save 1500-2200+ a month. But that's another story.
It's been fun that's for sure. I'm getting ready to head up to Maine and work my way down to Florida then back out west. Visiting some family along the way
