DBA <= DBL <= PhD ???

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by angela, Dec 11, 2003.

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  1. angela

    angela New Member

    Hi

    My quetion is really summed up in the Subject Line: the UNISA DBL seems more akin to a PhD than to most of the DBA's on offer.
    So, all else being equal, would others who have some insight see the "pecking order" as shown above?

    "Pecking order" could consist of

    1. Level of contribition to knowledge
    2. Amount of work
    3. Rating from a purely academic perspective.
     
  2. chris

    chris New Member

    It's not that easy

    After perusing dozens of programs it was apparent that any apparent differences were more based on the school rather than the type of program. Theoretically the PHD is more in depth research than the DBA which has a larger taught component.
     
  3. Han

    Han New Member

    I met with the Dean at our University, and he said from an academic standpoint, these two are both considered "Doctrate Degrees", so would be equal.
     
  4. Han

    Han New Member

    Re: It's not that easy

    Chris - I think this is switched. The DBA is researched based (I am in one right now), and the PhD has a large (at least a year) of classes. I think that is the norm.

    From my understanding the DBA is about 80% the norm in Europe, and in the US the PhD is about 80%.

    I think Chris is right about it being based on the school.
     
  5. chris

    chris New Member

    Yes, it is the school

    The PHD in most schools in SA (maybe all)is all research as it is appears to be in the ones I looked at in Australia. The DBA in Australia and the DBL at UNISA appears to have a taught element. In the USA, the taught element of the PHD appears to be more about how to do research whereas the DBA has some Business courses. However, this is not written in stone and really depends on the continent and the school. That is a good thing, though, because it gives you a lot of options in finding the school that is best for your needs and desires. I, for one, would not be able to pursue a PHD at all if I did not have access to SA schools. With 4 of us in my family going to school I could not shell out even the $10K or so for Australian schools, and that is very reasonable when stacked up against a school in the USA. That the SA degree is a research degree is a plus as well because, quite frankly, I am sick of taking classes after all these years of doing it!!!!

    Been to Grenoble yet Kristie?
     
  6. Han

    Han New Member

    Re: Yes, it is the school

    Yes, first residency was over Thanksgiving. I do have to say I didn't realize how much work it is going to be until I saw the first set of seminars (and to compound the problem, I was SOOOO sick that I missed a couple of seminars). 80,000 word dissertation didn't hit me until you really realize how much that is. But, on a good note, I have my advisor assigned and am starting to research, research, research. Step 1 of 1000 is complete.
     
  7. chris

    chris New Member

    Yes, I have started my research as well

    it's actually kind of fun. I alwasy get sick when I go to new water. Even when I used to come "home" from overseas. Good luck.
     
  8. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member


    In the US, DBAs and PhDs are considered equivalent. In Australia and UK, the DBA is considered a professional degree contrary to the PhD that is considered an academic degree to prepare mainly faculty members. Some university would only hire PhDs and not DBAs as faculty members and some would consider them equivalent.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Yes, I have started my research as well

    Chris:

    I've always been fascinated by the DTech, especially at SA technikons. A question for you: assuming your degree is dissertation-only, how might it be different than one done at a university? Is the project more practical than theoretical--or empirical? I have a personal interest in this. Thanks.
     
  10. chris

    chris New Member

    I really don't know

    as I haven't done any other PHD before. However, in the long email I received from my supervisor on how to start my project she advised almost identical to the way other US PHD sites advised their students. Also, she is a research fellow and I gather is a retired professor from a university so it probably won't be much different. The online description of the program was the same as say UFS as well. It may be different if I was in a technical program but I am in Business so there isn't a lot of room for variation, I guess.
     
  11. walter

    walter New Member

    Questions

    Hi Chris,

    So you're doing a DTech in business? Can you give me an idea of the area you will be researching?
     
  12. chris

    chris New Member

    Tentatively

    Leveraging Information Technology to Conduct Small or Medium Business Enterprises from a Rural Environment. Subject to change though as I move through the lit review. The focus is on how IT impacts the business processes to better (or hinder) the operation of the small or medium sized business.
     
  13. humbug101

    humbug101 New Member

    Hi All,

    Having been in an Aussie DBA program for the last few years (CSU), it has course and full research compononet. The emphasis as previously stated is the practical versus a theoretical contribution. Length is a bit longer for the Phd. Length is expected in the 50 to 100k range.

    By the way just had my proposal approved and now am officically ABD!


    BAH: :D
     
  14. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    Chris, wouldn't you happen to know by chance whether or not the DTech in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering at Durban Institute of Technology is available on a distance learning basis?

    Thx in advance
     
  15. chris

    chris New Member

    No I don't

    I would email them direct. Another lady private messaged me with the same question and was going to contact them. You guys may be a first for them. They are on break though until early January so may not get a quick reply.
     

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