University of Phoenix / DBA or PhD

Great forum. Thanks for great info.

I have two questions and need your thoughts on it.

I am looking at going to U. of Phoenix for a DBA.

1. How does U. of P rank in your opinion?

2. I have read up on PhD and DBA differences and I know I want a DBA since it is more on hands. I have read up on a lot of info on the web and it looks like the DBA or any Dxx comes more from England. Here is a quote from the web: "Both courses take the academic principles of the masters degree to a higher level, but the PhD is more research focused, while the DBA couples research to a core taught programme. "
I own and operate a small business, international health insurance brokerage firm of 4 full time and 3 part time associates(includes myself and my dad, we are the only two partners). I want to learn how to go from a small business to a business of 10-25 associates. Once I learn that I might want to do consulting work for those mom / pop businesses out there in our great land.
Does a DBA seem to be less then a PhD? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks. Doug

 

Hi Doug,

Welcome to the board. First, I want to start by saying that the research/applied distinction of Ph.D.s/DBAs is less distinct than it used to be, although it can still hold true in some circumstances. From my experience, both shopping around for a doc program in business as well as being a doc student at Capella, each program, regardless of degree, will have its own driving philosophy behind its purpose.

For example, at Capella, although the doc is a Ph.D., the program is heavily emphasized as a "Scholar/Practitioner" model; in other words, folks looking for a straight theoretical bent might find this degree/school disappointing. My own anecdotal experience is that most (but not all, of course) DL doctorates tend to be more along the scholar-practitioner lines. After all, many of them were created to serve the growing student population of working adults who wish to further/change their careers outside of academia. For your typical theoretical doc, of course, tons abound in b&m institutions.

I don't have any personal experience with UoP, but can attest to how pleased I am with Capella's program. Rigorous, excellent instructors -- I certainly feel I'm getting a quality education, despite the high price tag.

I would suggest you do some searches through the threads of degree.info on the most common doc schools that we discuss here for previous opinions:

UoP
Capella
Walden
Argosy
Nova Southeastern
Northcentral
Touro International

Plus, there are, of course, those outside of the U.S. that can be looked at, too:

Henley
Aston
Grenoble
UNISA

Err, sorry, can't think of anymore at the moment . . . it's still oh-dark-thirty here!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

Also, Doug, keep in mind that U.K. degrees are of a different format than U.S. ones. The traditional British (really, non-American) doctorate is a straight research degree -- very few to no classes, just independent research right from the start. British universities, in order to distinguish their newer doctoral programs that are more along the lines of American degrees (coursework + research), usually designate them as DBAs, EdDs, etc.

However, the U.S. model of docs is pretty much the same at most institutions -- coursework first, then research through the dissertation. This is true for U.S. DBAs, Ph.D.s, Ed.Ds., etc. etc.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

Thanks Adrienne for your reply!

I will look around. The nice thing about UoP is that it is Phoenix and I live in the Phoenix Metro area.

Thanks again. Doug

 

DBA vs. Phd

I've been evaluating all the schools and narrowed the list down to Nova's DBA and Northcentral's PhD in Business Admin. I looked hard at U of P, but their lockstep program was not really what I wanted. The names of the courses were somewhat unusual so I had trouble matching these up to traditional business school courses. After all, someone will be looking at your syllabi if you are seeking a job to teach or whatever.

What's your degree purpose?

 

DBA vs. Phd

I see your degree purpose now in your first post. My advice would be to do the program offering as much residency as possible if you can. I agree with other posters that DL style degrees are very applied (less theoretical). Therefore, pick the one that suites your degree purpose.

Being in a room of seasoned managers is really a wonderful thing if you can handle doing the residency.

Does U of P offer the DBA in a classroom or hybrid format?

 

U of P offers on line only. there are 3 residency set times (8 days the first year, 3 the second year and 8 the last year).

I live right next to ASU and they have a very good PhD in business but you can't work when you are working on their so that throws that out the window. It sounds like most PhD, in class, programs want you to only work on their program.

As a business owner I just can't leave. ASU has a good law school also but you can't work for a year. I am waiting till ASU provides a law degree through night classes or a true on-line school provides a true law degree.

My goal is to have the brokerage firm as my core but branch out into health law of some sort. At this time getting a DBA will work on helping me (1)get from a mom/pop business to a small brokerage firm for my firm (2) be able to be an AJ prof. (3) to be able to do some consulting on the side to help other mom / pop businesses move up the business chain (plus get them on health insurance) and then (3) if law comes into the program do health law. I always beg for Hillary to becomes Pres. The more confusing health insurance gets the more people will need agents like me. OK, so it is selfish...but then again I am a true capitalist looking for opportunities.
BTW....I am a true die hard capitalist....that should explain to anyone where I stand in the political aisle...sure isn't the blue States.

Thanks for your advise and will keep my eyes and ears open.
Doug

 

It depends, If you want your DBA for teaching then UoP would probably be a bad choice given the low reputation of this institution between academics. If you want it for personal satisfaction and for career improvement then I would say it is OK as it is your resume what it really counts. If you are planning on teaching with a DBA from UoP you may experience many "bad looks" from academics.