PhD, Interdisciplinary, distance, & flexible

I post this with a great deal of trepidation, but I do have my asbestos suit on, so here goes ....

I am currently an Economics Professor. I have a BS in Economics, and a Juris Doctor in Law. I teach in a public university system, am 45 years old, and am quite happy with what I do. The school has always 'credited' me with holding a Doctorate since, quite frankly, that's what a JD is. So I don't need a PhD for employment, pay, or anything else.

However, I have some personal research desires, some areas I would love to investigate and write about that are slightly off-center ......

For instance, my wife and I are both fascinated with things Celtic and medieval, and spend our 'vacations' researching libraries and exploring old irish monastic ruins. I am strongly considering writing some books concerning the nexus between medieval monastic spirituality and regional economic development via special case studies (the Town of Kells, Ireland; the Hanseatic League arrangements in Stettin (Poland) and under the Teutonic Knights in Livonia; breweries in Keltheim (Ger.) and vineyards in Wurzburg; and acadmic and artistic endeavors out of Saint-Gallen (Switzerland). It is really more for personal satisfaction, love of the subject, and desire to expose more people to the subject than anything else.

Besides 'just' writing a book, I have been seriously considering obtaining what I shall call a "non-traditional" PhD via a 'third-world' or similar institution
[Poster checks asbestos gear and prepares to receive first volley...]
I will *not* spend time in residence, pay ridiculously high tuition, or take specific courses to do this. Those things will tip the scales to the point where the cost is no longer worth the benefit.

But I will consider enrolling in a low-cost institution that simply isn't up to "USA" accrediting standards. In fact, if they are a sincere bunch, I'd even feel good about enrolling there.

I'm looking at places like St. Clements.

So, my question is this: IF 'accredidation' is a non-issue, but money IS an issue; What istitutions could you all recommend? I do *not* want a "mill" that delivers PhDs in a year for fee for poor-quality work and 'life experience." But I *would* be content in a sincere institution that simply has different standards than the usual accredited institution.

All suggestions would be appreciated. Tirades Against the Unaccredited can be saved for someone else's thread

 

I couldn't find anything specific, but here is a list a many links, some of which might pan out:

http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic/links/programs.html

 

No tirade here, but I'd still recommend looking at foreign programs that are well-regarded (the equivalent of accredited) -- if only because an unaccredited degree might be seen as reducing your academic credibility rather than simply having no effect on it.

For a low-cost degree requiring "only" a dissertation, I'd recommend the University of South Africa, the University of Pretoria, or another South African school (if they're willing to supervise a dissertation in your subject). British and Australian schools also tend to follow the dissertation-only model, but they're likely to be far more expensive.

Another option: a "PhD by published work" at a British or Australian school. The cost would probably be low, since little or no supervision is involved; the school would simply assess the quality of your previously published work and decide whether to award the PhD on that basis. Most schools providing this option offer it only to their own faculty and alumni, but there are some exceptions -- the University of Technology Sydney, for example. I haven't found a comprehensive list of these schools, but http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Haven/2386/distance.html might be a good place to start. (See the "Research Doctorates" section.)

The PhD by published work is not an easy option -- it requires articles in good journals, books from university presses, etc. -- but it seems ideal for those who already have the skills and accomplishments but just need the credential.

I'd urge you to at least consider a few foreign "accredited" programs before going for an unaccredited PhD.

Good luck!

 

Alternate credentials

Have you considered acquiring a non-degree but widely accepted credential such as membership in a learned society that meets your needs such as the Royal Historical Society http://www.rhs.ac.uk/howtojoin.htm or the American Historical Society www.theaha.org

 

There is a PhD program in Archeology/Anthropology that focuses on local, historical stuff and I believe that Celtic, monastic thing you were describing could easily fit into their program. I believe it's at one of the campus' of the University of Wales (Lampeter, probably). It's not cheapcheapcheap like a South African program would be but my memory tells me that it's quite affordable. Speaking of South Africa, you should peruse the UNISA website. They have many academic departments and each offers doctoral study. It only costs about $1,000.US per year. Let us know how your search is progressing.
Jack

 

Are you looking to get the PhD in Business? Economics? Anthropology? Archeaology?

 

I'm looking *either* to simply get it in "Interdisciplinary Studies," or, if I can name my own tune, I'd call it 'Medieval Commerce" or "Medieval Commerce and Spirituality."

 

I've got to second Jack here. You really should be looking at Lampeter. Have a look at both the history department and the department of theology and religion as the latter is one of the major centres in the UK for the study of Celtic religious practice (as may be seen from their MA in Celtic Christianity).

Angela

 

The only non-US doctoral program in Interdisciplinary Studies of which I am aware is to be found at Edith Cowan University in Australia. It's almost certainly the most flexible option you'll find but you should plan on paying for that flexibility as this program is not inexpensive. I haven't checked recently but I'd guess that the price is close enough to the similarly described US programs that I no longer understand why anyone would go outside the country in pursuit of an interdisciplinary doctoral program.
Jack

 

I am familiar with Lampeter, and they migh be an option if someone *else* foots the bill....money is a MAJOR issue. I am going to try the South African site again, but it's really dreadful to navigate.....I'll let you all know what I am able to come up with.

And thanks for that GREAT list of links from Milwaukee U - that will keep me bust a LOOONG time!

 

What would the utility of a UNISA degree be in the academic world? My MA is from a Big 10 school, but I aspire to teach at a university that requires a doctoral degree. As a graduate student I was a TA for a professor and enjoyed the academic world very much.

Do you think a PhD from UNISA would help me land a university position here in the states?

 

Misty - Here's what I tell myself. A UNISA degree is not an especially prestigious degree. Even in ZA it's probably not a top school. Despite that, it's been shown that there are people teaching in the US with UNISA doctorates (although there may not be a whole lot of them). There are whole lot of people with UNISA doctorates teaching in other countries in Africa, Asia and Australia. If you're interested in becoming a full-time, tenured faculty member at a big (or even a small) US university there are probably a whole lot of schools more useful than UNISA. However, I have very little money that could be pumped into academic pursuits, especially since these pursuits are unlikely to result in any substantial increase in my income. Therefore, it is very difficult to justify spending the tens of thousands of dollars it would cost to get a PhD from a more prestigious university. Therefore, prestigious or not I am likely to be in touch with UNISA if I ever decide to actually enroll in a doctoral program.
Jack

 

$1000 a year for a degree from UNISA? Is this true?!?
I had read it was cheap but ...............
BH

 

Hello Misty,

Although you are probably well aware of this, there are many who think that the only requirement to land a full-time teaching job at a university requires nothing more than obtaining a doctoral degree. Having been a member of several hiring boards for faculty and administrators over many years, I can attest that nothing could be further from the truth.

There is much competition for academic teaching jobs (it was not uncommon for us to have more than 40 qualified applicants for a single faculty position). The tasks of university faculty revolve around three major areas: teaching, research and service. If you wish to teach full-time at the university level, you will need far more than a doctoral degree on your vitae. Here are a few things that you can do:

1. Look for adjunct (part-time) teaching jobs. The university will want some indication that you have experience teaching at the college level. Be sure to save copies of positive teaching evaluations by students and peers. Serve on college-wide committees.

2. Identify the professional associations in your field and become a member of at least two of them. Attend their conferences (this is where faculty hang out and is where many faculty job solicitations and interviews take place). Once you have an idea of the topics covered in the conferences, start submitting proposals to present at the conferences. Serve on some committees in the associations. Faculty like to hire people known by the profession.

3. Identify the major journals in your field. Read the latest research and develop your own research agenda. Conduct research and write articles. Submit them to the journals for publication.

4. Perform community service related to your profession. Speak at community, church and civic groups about your area of expertise. Teach a class for your city's (or local college's)community education program.

Be sure to keep a detailed curriculum vitae with your activities, education, awards, presentations, publications, etc.

If you have a strong vita full of academic accomplishments, that will usually be even more important than where you obtained your degree. Faculty at institutions where I have worked have received their degrees from all different kinds of regionally accredited universities and recognized foreign universities. Depending upon your field, a UNISA degree may be fine or a University of Nebraska-Lincoln or a Nova Southeastern or a Walden or Capella or any of the myriad of Austrailian, African, UK, or Canadian degrees.

Tony Piña
Administrator, Northeastern Illinois University

 

A response from St Clements University

I can confirm the PhDs from St Clements University (SCU) are worth the paper on which they are written. I have met hundreds of their students and they all appeared to be happy.

I am Deputy Chairman of the PhD Committee which includes several prominent academics. All applications for PhD come to me and I ensure that the hypotheses are valid and viable. I ensure that the synopsis properly describes the methodology to be used and that the statistical tests to be used are valid and appropriate.

I used to read the theses too and certainly there was one that I did not think warranted a PhD and it was turned down.

I am President of the Institute of Professional Financial Managers in the UK (www.ipfm.org) and work closely with David le Cornu of SCU. Indeed we share an annual Dinner/Convocation with SCU held at the Royal Overseas League in London.

I got my own PhD from CASS (top 100 listing)

 

Hello Thom,

The idea that people get attacked on this forum for inquiring about unaccredited programs is a false one. There is a BIG difference between asking whether an unaccredited degree will meet one's personal and professional needs and proclaiming that unaccredited "XXXX University" is every bit as good and professionally useful as regionally accredited "YYYY University" without offerring a shread of evidence or research to back up the claim. You are clearly in the former category. Judging by the answers that you have received already, it is likely that no attacking will occur, unless a shill for unaccredited schools attempts to dominate the thread.

You and I are close to the same age and both work for state universities. I have worked in higher ed for over 17 years and have known faculty with unaccredited degrees. I have seen some instances where the unaccredited doctorates has negatively affected the person's status and other times when it has not. If you are an adjunct faculty and intend to stay that way, pursuing a non-accredited PhD will not likely affect you at all (especially since you already have a JD). If you are an adjunct who wishes to become full-time, the non-accredited degree may become an issue (I have seen it happen). If you are already a full-time tenured faculty, then the non-accredited doctorate will not likely affect you negatively (especially if you do not flaunt it and no one has heard of the institution). If you are on a tenure track, but have not yet achieved tenure, then I have seen unaccredited degrees become a credibility issue.

Admittedly, the most negative situations that I have witnessed have been cases where the unaccredited degree was the only doctorate. Having previously earned an RA JD will likely shield you from many problems.

With the myriad of regionally accredited and recognized foreign institutions (some of which, like UNISA, are inexpensive) it is difficult to recommend unaccredited schools that would be very useful professionally. Some years ago, schools like California coast and Columbia Pacific were very viable options, since many accredited distance learning programs did not offer viable choices for many. Such is not the case anymore.

Tony Piña
Administrator, Northeastern Illinois University

 

Thom:

As a long-time medievalist, I want to say good luck in your studies. It is a fascinating field.

My understanding is that the Wales-Lampeter Ph.D. that is specifically directed to distance learners is in ancient/classical studies, specifically archaeology but able to be broadened to include other historical approaches to the field. My sense by looking at the faculty is that their chief focus is Rome. If you are doing early Celtic, perhaps this will work. For later Celtic, medieval, Hansa topics, I don't see the competency among the listed faculty. It might be possible to do a PhD there outside of this distance ed program, however.

South Africa, as Jack and others have said, is a good option for price. Quality faculty for not a lot of money by western standards.

Australia has some good medievalists, particularly at Melbourne, but I wouldn't know what specific schools to direct you to for the specialty you seek.

If you will consider a UK university, go to the Institute for Historical Studies Web site, which lists all historians by field that hold permanent academic positions in British universities.

http://www.history.ac.uk/ihr/Resources/Teachers/research.html

Not to throw a wrench into the works, but how are your languages. No PhD program in classics or medieval studies that is worth anything academically is going to let you proceed without a work knowledge of Latin, French, and German. Other languages may apply as well, depending on the topic. Some programs won't even let you begin your studies with them unless you have demonstrated an ability to work in at least two of these languages. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Hope this helps.



marilynd

 

Sorry. It is the Institute for Historical Research, part of the University of London.

marilynd

 

Hi Thom. Welcome aboard. Great thread, great posts.

 

multiple responses....

Thanks, everyone, for all the advice. It is truly very helpful.

To Dr. Wooler, I am still considering St. Clements, and hoping to receive some written material in the mail to review. I would appreciate any advice or assistance you might be able to give me concerning the process at St. Clements, especially for someone like me who prefers interdisciplinary work and case studies.

To Mt Pina, I am grateful that there has *not* been a flame war. When I first reviewed this sight and many of the web-comments by Scott Somers, I was hesitant, but so far so good.

For your info, I am a full-time faculty up for tenure this year, so any doctorate in addition to me JD would not be accomplished until way after tenure is granted.

And to Marilynd, Lampeter is out of only because of price. As for languages, I am fluent in French and have a working knowledge of Spanish, German, and Gaelic, so I think I'm covered. I can't read latin, but my wife does

Thank you all again for your many splendid suggestions.