Proposed Doctoral Program - What do you think?

In light of the recent threads regarding doctoral programs and the utility of various degrees, what advice would you give to the prospective student contemplating the program shown on this page?

Background. An American with over 15 years of business experience and two degrees (BS in Engineering, MS in Administration) desires to undertake a doctoral program in management (research interests include organizational innovation and technology-assisted training). Career and family commitments dictate a limited residency program. At some point in time after completing the doctorate, the person would like to teach and perform research at a university in the US.

Proposed Program. Enroll as an external student in the MSc in Organizational Behaviour programme at the University of London (lead college – Birkbeck). The prospectus indicates MSc graduates can "continue their studies by undertaking a research degree" either full-time or part-time. The most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE-1996) gives Birkbeck a top rating of "5" for this department, and the faculty (including publications and current research) is outstanding (one member is an expert on organizational innovation).

In 5-6 years, this student could have an MSc and a PhD in Organizational Behaviour from the University of London, and the total cost (including three trips to London to meet the estimated one-week annual residency requirement) would be US$19,000 or less.

Recently, various threads have pointed out potential biases (DL versus traditional delivery, professional doctorate versus PhD, perceived institutional prestige, US RA versus foreign GAAP, etc.) that a person would have to overcome in selecting a limited residency doctoral program, especially for a person desiring to enter academia. On the surface, the proposed program would produce a PhD from a university known worldwide under the guidance of an excellent department at the constituent college. Cost is somewhat reasonable, and residency (although required) is limited. Assuming the U of L name would overcome the foreign school bias, are there any other factors to be considered in this proposed program?

Any and all input or advice would be welcomed. Thank you!

 

I happened to be looking at the UofL's site on Monday, and also looked at the very program you describe. It all looks nice and tidy, but I would caution you about two things. First, there is no assurance that a successful graduate of their master's program will be invited to pursue a research degree. It is there, but you won't know until you approach the completion of the OD program. Second, even if you're allowed to pursue the research doctorate, you aren't assured a path to completion. You could also find yourself somewhere along the way taking an MPhil and an invitation to leave.

All that said, it sounds like an exciting opportunity to earn two or three good degrees (if they award the MPhil along the way to the Ph.D.) from the founder of modern distance education. Good luck!

Rich Douglas

 

I wouldn't worry about this too much. With a UofL MS he should be able to join a PhD program in the US or somewhere in the commonwealth without too much trouble...

This one troubles me a bit--not because he might not get the PhD, but because of the implicit assumption--that since he got into the PhD program he should leave with the PhD. I would hope that any PhD program without very strict entrance requirements (and most DL PhD programs fall into this category) would have a completion rate far less than 100% (although to be fair, I'd expect the UofL to be quite strict in admissions to this program). Some people just can't cut and either fail out predissertation or do not do doctoral level work and leave during the dissertation phase (when I did mine, about 1/3 to 1/2 failed the 4 day written qualifying exam and a smaller percentage failed to graduate after the exam).

-me

 

Rich and David -- thanks for your input. Since you have both walked the doctoral program path, your advice is greatly appreciated.