Union Ph.D. No More?

In a recent communique from Union's president, it looks like Union will be moving away from the "everyone earns a Ph.D." model to one with other, specific degree programs. Nothing has been decided, but they're leaning towards offering non-Ph.D. doctoral designations instead.

The psychology program will likely move to a PsyD, replacing the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I suspect that also means no more non-clinical Ph.D.'s in psychology. They're also looking at moving towards APA accreditation.

They're also looking at developing an Ed.D. program. The OBR and NCA have suggested that such a program would be best for those pursuing professionally-oriented programs. Again, a curriculum would have to be developed and a faculty to support it will have to be recruited.

Also mentioned is the retention of the interdisciplinary degree, but giving it a non-Ph.D. designation. Something like Doctor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

It isn't clear what other degree titles they're considering, but there might be others.

The school was commended by the OBR for the changes it made to the Ph.D. program, but was criticized for struggling with enforcement. Their goal is to improve upon this so they can continue to "teach out" the Ph.D. students in the pipeline. (And that pipeline continues to be extended; Union admits 30 or so Ph.D. learners each month.)

Union's commitment to interdisciplinary learning as the basis for every degree program has not changed; it is the core of what Union is all about. The OBR and NCA are highly committed to this concept, too.

It isn't clear when they will announce changes to the doctoral programs, but it looks like Union will (a) continue and (b) continue offering doctoral programs. But it looks like the Ph.D. designation will hit the dustbin, replaced by several, more narrowly-defined, doctoral programs. Fine. It's what I recommended to Union's president two years ago!

 

the ol' nomenclature kook gets wistful

Sorry, I can't help it.

A real DA program would be a thing greatly desired.

(Be still my hoolish feart...)

___________


I hope Union works things out well.

 

No GI Bill

I have 100% of my MGIB left over, but Union can't take it. Too bad, If I decided on going for the gold I would like to consider Union first.

PhD, DA, or DIs, it wouldn't matter.

 

Janko is right. Why not a quality DA available via DL?

If you have any pull at Union, Rich, try to dissuade them from "Doctor of Interdisciplinary Studies." That would abbreviate to DIS, which would make you the butt of many jokes.

Why not just "Doctor of Studies," similar to the current UK trend?

Wouldn't DStud be better than DIS?



marilynd

 

Heh, heh, heh. Good one.

The Doctor of Arts is, traditionally, a degree that focuses on teaching a particular subject. While I've suggested that emphasis, it is not a strongly marketable degree to the group that would use it most: teachers. They like the Ed.D., IMHO.

I have no pull with Union.

 

DA...

A traditional DA would require breadth and depth in one area (and possibly a few related areas) and a significant pedogogy (or androgogy) component in the coursework and disseration/project.

See Idaho State's DA website and links for ideas

From what I know of Union they value true interdiciplinary study,so the DA may not be the answer unless they offered hard and fast concentrations. The DA would (should) be the degree from a real "teaching" college, and the PhD the degree from a research university.

I think many undergrads wouldbe served better if a few more DA's were grown and hired at Traditional State U. More breadth and less lunatic fringe for the raw undergrad.

 

Well, I suppose that I should first worry about surviving my MA in Civil War Studies at American Military University before worrying about what any future doctoral piece of paper might say. However, I'm not sure I would want to spend anywhere from two on up to sixteen years in a doctoral program just to end up totally DISsed at the end. As for being DStud, that would just be false advertising for a guy who found out on his wedding night that Viagra doesn't work. And the DA just sounds too prosecutorial. Keep the PhD designation.

 

Interesting...I am seeing a trend among colleges of education to convert their Ed.D. degree programs into Ph.D.s. This usually does not involve making any substantive changes to the programs themselves, but I suppose that the students prefer to receive the more well known and accepted degree.

Tony Piña, Ed.D.
Northeastern Illinois University
(After a couple of years of posting here on the topic of PhD vs. EdD, I am finally starting work on a journal article on the topic)

 

D.Litt et Phil ???

Perhaps Union should consider the D.Litt et Phil degree designation a la UNISA rather than DIS, DStud or something similar? http://www.unisa.ac.za

 

Just got a heads up that Union will be granted a 3-year approval by the OBR! And it will retain its Ph.D. programs.

Certain wags on another forum can stick it!

Oh, and Union is still exploring other doctoral degree designations (like the Ed.D. and the Psy.D.) But the Ph.D. stays.

 

That's great news, Rich, I thought that Union was making a big mistake if they went to "offbeat" doctoral titles.

 

Well, it looked like it would be forced to do so. Instead, I think the OBR is going to accept a much more narrow definition of what is and is not acceptable regarding concentrations and specializations under the interdisciplinary degree. That's okay. That, combined with a few new degree titles, ought to do it.

Union lives.

 

Excellent news! The anti-Union folks we know will now have another reason to pout and whine.

Tony Piña, Ed.D. -- offbeat doctoral title

 

And they're already off and running! Of course, not one of them has completed a doctorate at an accredited school. What a shock.

 

Good news from Union. Fine.

The old nomenclature kook is also gratified to hear kindly noises about the DA.
NNAD's explanation of the DA degree's focus is concise and accurate.

 

Is this a good or not so good move?

What are they gaining and what are they giving away?

i know they were criticised allot for the non traditional and some what experimental aproach at times but why now?

what promped the changes?

Learber

 

Thanks for taking time and explaining all my questions.

Friends wife with bA in Psychology from cal State and Masters in psychology from National University is applying to Union, F ielding and one more I forgot the name.

they didn't know about the changes I think its good for her.

Learner

 

My vote would be for Fielding, regardless which other school she's considering. I think Union's at least a year away from solidifying it's programs.