Union Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies

I'd like to get some experiences w/ Union's Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary studies.

The challenge I have had is finding a Ph.D. program that will let me focus on my interests. I already have an MBA, so I really don't need another set of prescribed coursework.

Union seems like the only reasonable Ph.D. program where I can construct something that meets my needs.

 

Those of us (there are two) who have completed Union Ph.D.'s have reservations about enrolling. Union has gone through a difficult phase, and doesn't appear completely out of it (yet).

Its Ph.D. program was criticized on several fronts by the Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), despite the fact that Union's regional accreditor had recently re-accredited Union for the maximum 10-year period. Among other things, the OBR was concerned about the research rigor of dissertations and the ability of the core faculty to supervise dissertations in a wide array of subjects.

Also, Union finally had to face the fact that the US Department of Education wanted a firmer, more consistent method of measuring and reporting student progress. Ph.D. students were going years actively enrolled without progress reports. This was how the degree program was designed; students created a learning agreement at the beginning and didn't turn anything in to the university until it was time to review the entire program. Individual students' doctoral committees would set up various methods for supervising students' work, but there was no university-wide process. As a result, the USDoE withheld Union's right to disburse student aid funds until a system was developed and implemented. This resulted in huge costs to Union, which threatened their financial existence.

Recent reports from Union indicate that the OBR is pleased with the changes Union is making. The USDoE has again turned on the flow of student aid and is satisfied with Union's new semester-by-semester progress documentation process. Finally, it appears Union will get through the financial crisis (after massive layoffs and a restructuring of its faculty). Still....

No one knows what the final product will look like. You might enroll in one kind of program, only to find new restrictions, changes, etc. placed upon you. (This happened to me and others in the "pipeline," even though we'd enrolled prior to the changes being implemented. No "grandfathering.") And while the financial future looks improved, it is by no means assured.

If you are sure that Union is the only viable option for you, you might want to consider it. But that is a very cautionary recommendation, at best.

Rich Douglas, Ph.D.
(Union, 2003)

(I realize non of this dealt with the wonderful experiences available in the Union process. Learner-centered programs, residencies, flexibility, blending core and adjunct faculties on your committee, the opportunity to work with experts in your field of study, interdisciplinarity, etc. Those things are all still true. But the other realities remain at the forefront and should preponderate.)

 

JUST OUT OF CUROSITY

WHAT IS UNIONS WEBSITE?

THANKS

 

Just a note: using "ALL-CAPS" is interpreted as shouting.

Union's website: www.tui.edu

(Such things are found easily using a search engine.)

 

Thanks for the website

Sorry about the caps.....I have had a pop-up browser thing going on..and messes up the keyboard.

Cheers!

 

The challenge I'm having is finding a Ph.D. program broad and flexible enough to meet my research / learning interests.

I have an MBA, so, from my perspective, I've done my "things I have to learn as part of a business foundation."

So, my ideal program would let me:

1. do some (not much) coursework in social cognition, cognition, etc.;
2. some work in postmodern organizational behavior theory;
3. a few technical courses in data analysis, genetic algorithms, etc.
4. some study of a formal system (just a course or two) like law
5. a public administration course or two.

then stats and a dissertation.

Union is the only school I'm aware of that might let me do this. Is anyone aware of any other DL alternatives.

 

Obviously, you understand the point I'm about to make, but in case others don't....

The operative word here is "might." While Union's interdisciplinary approach allows for flexibility in blending approaches from different disciplines, it isn't a hodge-podge program where you can dump in a little of this and a little of that. Each learner's program has to represent a cogent body of work with interdisciplinary approaches. But if any school is going to allow you to take such an approach, it would be Union.

 

Thanks. I do have pretty clear research interests.

Is Union markedly more expensive than other programs?

 

No. But it ain't cheap.