Distance doctorates and teaching

Within the past month I've posted a question about two programs of interest for me, Case Western's low residency EDM and UMUC's DM program. Although I've narrowed it down to these two choices, the issue arose about the acceptance of an EDM, DM in teaching at an AACSB school. I've since found out that Case is an AACSB school (I'm not yet sure about UMUC). If teaching is in the cards for me in the future, does this make a difference? Am I wasting my time going after an unconventional degree and should I be persuing a DBA from a school like Glasgo or a PhD from a Fielding or Union? Since I must work a low residency program is the only option. I'd be interested in hearing you opinions and expaination.

 

I know for a fact that there are Case EDM graduates teaching in colleges and universities. I don't know for sure if any are at AACSB schools. I'd take a good look at both UMUC and Case's websites. I believe UMUC talks about the suitability of their degree for teaching.

Note that both UMUC and Case have chosen to label their degrees with a different title (Doctor of Management) to differentiate them from their traditional PhD offerings. This fact won't likely be overlooked by many faculty committees looking to hire.

There are some folks with DL doctorates from other schools (including NSU DBAs) at AACSB schools, but I know there is a decided prejudice against such folks. One AACSB candidate school I know of, for example, specifically says in their hiring ads that they can only accept "traditional, full-time resident PhD's" at their institutions.

Bottom line - a non-traditional doctorate may work for teaching in an AACSB school, but you may find some brick walls. Be sensitive not only to where your degree is from, but also your other credentials. Industry experience and academic publications are important. Also, some prior experience as an adjunct is useful - both to those who may want to hire you and for you to figure out if you really like to teach.

Thanks - Andy

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Andy Borchers, DBA
NSU (1996)

 

Thanks for the feed-back Andy. I guess I am struggling with the trade-offs. Both UMUC and Case are quality schools. Case Western is particularly well regarded with the Weatherhead School of Management which is "top tier" at least US News, However, should the trade-off be a top school with a non traditional doctoral credential vs. a lesser school (or forgein school with a PhD? One poster in a previous topic mentioned the University of Glasgo DBA as an alternative. I have no doubt of the quality of this program, however, is this a better alternative if my final objective is to teach? Also, in the same vein, Union or Fielding or NSE offer the traditional PhD credential. My common sense tells me to go with the best school regardless of the type of doctoral degree, but I don't know what academia would think of the three alternatives outlined and which would be viewed more favorably.

Tin

 

On line DBA and teaching

I know this thing gets beaten to death on these boards but I've struggled with this issue quite a bit and now I simply have to make a decision.

PhD or DBA for teaching.

I have secured a position at Pepperdine which lables me as an adjunct even though I do not actually teach. I have a "Class Advisor" position for their Executive MBA class and while I don't teach, I grade, coordinate and participate in the academic process as much as the lead professor wants me to.

In some disciplines this will be extensive, in some not. I have a great rep at the school and allot of contacts so I am hoping to parlay my prior academic accomplishments along with this experience and contacts into a " real" adjunct position in the Strategy field.

I know that the PhD is preferable in academia but just the same I am struggling with the idea of a DBA and would try to work it if at all possible.

The reason that I am searching for an on line DBA is that it seems that the on line Phd's requires some sort of residency and I just don't want to travel anymore.

If anyone knows of a PURELY on line, no residency PhD or DBA I would love to hear it.

Thanks

 

UMUC is not accredited by AACSB.

I don't know about the DM program but one of my coworkers completed her MBA with UMUC and did not recommend them to me. Don't ask me why she did not recommend them...I'm sure UMUC is a good school.

 

DBA

"If anyone knows of a PURELY on line, no residency PhD or DBA I would love to hear it."

Take a look at Northcentral University. The DBA has a good selection of specializations. No residency, reasonable tuition (compared to UoP and others), and it is Regionally Accredited.

http://www.ncu.edu

 

I think the professional doctorate is a teaching credential by exception rather than the rule, and it is up to you to make the case for the exception. Are you publishing as much as a PhD grad? Are you an alum of the school where you hope to teach and extremely familiar with the program? Are you a unique expert on some narrow but important subject that few holders of any degree could match? In short, what would make up for the fact that you have not written, defended, and "proven yourself" via a PhD dissertation? I don't think there is a bias against professional doctorate holders when there are fantastic and dazzling answers to these questions, but the questions will always be asked.

 

I think their is utility to having an AACSB doctorate, if you want to teach at an AACSB school. I do also think that there needs to be other things (like publishings, etc.) to make up for the stigma of DL.

Many schools are trying to expand their online presence, and you would be a good candidate, if you wanted to teach with them.

Those that I know of: CaseWestern (though requires residency every 4 weeks), Henley, Grenoble, and there was one other.... can't think of it right now.

I wasn't sure about teaching at first, but thought if the programs exist, then why not keep my options open.

Best of luck.

 

Re: On line DBA and teaching

Although business is not my discipline, I have worked at several universities and, as I recall, nearly all of them had faculty with PhDs and DBAs in the college of business. Norhteastern has three business professors with DBAs--All of them did dissertations.

The EDM degree classification is unfortunate, since Ed.M. is also an abbreviation for the master of education degree.

 

I think that the fact that the degree was earned external or with low residencies would be irrelevant when you already have teaching and research experience. With more schools offering flexible programs the non-residence woud be less important.

On the other hand, the trend of AACSB accreditation is real and it is here to stay.

Although non AACSB accredited, The University of Southern Queensland has the intention of becoming accredited in the near future so you might want to take a look at them. They are already members but it might take a while to get the accreditation.

 

Andy,

I wonder how a non-traditional non- american AACSB accredited DBA (e.g. Henley) would stand against a Nova DBA for a faculty position. Do you think that a DBA from Henley or other DL non-american AACSB accredited instituion is in a better position for faculty positions in the US than any non traditional non-AACSB accredited american graduate?

 

Non sequitur. Membership and accreditation are totally unconnected. Plus, membership is rather instant--pay a fee--so "already" wouldn't be apropos, either.

(This isn't a criticism of RFValve--I just want to make sure the message is clear. After all membership in such organizations is often flouted by degree mills--something USQ is not, of course--even though such membership has no meaning academically.)

 

I never said that they were accredited but only members. Membership is the first step towards accreditation so it is not totally unconnected to the accreditation process.

http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/process/initial.asp


"
Accreditation Process Steps

The accreditation process will follow a continuous process. Transitions from one step of the process to the next step and from one committee’s oversight to the next committee’s oversight will flow smoothly without disruption of the school’s progress. The series of integrated steps follow in this order:

1. The applicant school establishes AACSB International membership.

2. The applicant submits its completed Eligibility Application to begin the process. The applicant is encouraged to submit a draft of the application for staff review. Staff review will check for completeness. Applications will be accepted at any time."



I never said they will get accreditation either, but in my opinion they have a good chance as other australian schools have achieved this accreditation.

 

Re: Re: Re: On line DBA and teaching

Does the diploma actually state "Executive Doctor of Management"??

 

Re: On line DBA and teaching

Touro University International (http://www.tourou.edu/). You're welcome.

 

Re: Re: On line DBA and teaching

Just to note - non-AACSB