DL Doctorates--Motivations?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by CLSeibel, Jul 18, 2001.

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  1. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Over time, and in various strands, much discussion has taken place in this forum regarding the question of what motivates individuals to undertake DL-based doctoral study. Many have emphasized their desire to gain a professorship or to advance within the academic community. Others have highlighted their hopes of advancing within the business or corporate world. Some wish to gain a degree to boost their credibility as aspiring published authors. A few even desire to engage in doctoral study for the sake of personal satisfaction or personal growth. Some individuals have been motivated by an intricate tapestry of interwoven motivations.

    Anyhow, I hope you will join me in dedicating this strand of discussion to the question of, "What motivates individuals to undertake a DL doctorate?". Whether you've already completed a DL doctorate, presently are in the process of doing so, or hope to undertake doctoral study in the future, please share with us what your motivation has been/is. I look forward to hearing your stories.
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    In pursuing a Ph.D. with The Union Institute, I did so to (1) establish my knowledge of the field of nontraditional higher education, and (2) open opportunities to teach part-time. I now see that there will be a third advantage. Jobs in my field (training management and development) will be even more available with the credential.

    Rich Douglas
     
  3. Ike

    Ike New Member


    1. Lifelong ambition: I concluded that my education will terminate at Ph.D. when I was still an elementary school pupil.
    2. My role model: My role model in Nigeria who earned a Ph.D. in this country was a prominent politician when I was a teenager.
    3. Life after retirement: I want to teach so as to impart my professional skills and experience to college students after I retire. My retirement is more than 25 years away but there is nothing wrong with early planning.
    4. My children: I want to set a standard for my children. I want them to feel that if dad did it, they can also do it.
    5. Ego: Of course you all know what I mean.

    Ike
     
  4. PaulC

    PaulC Member


    Ike, no fair! You wrote my response, except for #2.

    I would add that getting published is easier with a PhD after your name and teaching part time till retirement is easier to find also.

    In general, it opens doors, fulfills a personal knowledge need, satisfies an ambition, and prepares me for opportunities that would not otherwise present themselves. Most important, it puts an exclamation point at the end of a very long and arduous academic endeavor that started with that first class I took at Parkland Community College 28 years ago and encompassed eight institutions of higher learning, credits earned in class, by portfolio, through old time traditional correspondence and new time online learning to get here.

    Four more months and I’ll be able to say that exclamation point has been set in stone.
     
  5. Bill Hurd

    Bill Hurd New Member

    I have to echo Ike's #4 & 5. Out of my 5 children there is a DVM and two bachelor's degrees. My other two are currently taking classes. I entered a masters program three years ago to both satisfy myself and to show my kids that it could be done. I didn't regret it then and I don't regret that I have just enrolled at NCU in the business PhD program.

    Bill Hurd
     
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I think all the reasons mentioned so far have been good, and I'll add another one. My first stab at higher education ended on a bad note when I dropped out of Northeastern University halfway through the first quarter and joined the Army. My father told me then that I'd never amount to anything, and I've been determined to prove him wrong since then. I also admit I like the educational experience, it's always good to learn something. As for the DL aspect, there are no traditional doctoral programs in my area that offer what I'm looking for, and it would be impractical to take time off from work to do it residentially anyway.

    Bruce
     
  7. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Several reasons prompted me to pursue the DL Ph.D.:

    1. I have three RA degrees earned residentially (except for about 1/3 of the undergrad), so I have the traditional component for most of my academic work.

    2. Residency: At this point in my life it is not feasible to dislocate myself to do an extended residency. At 44, with family, ministry, etc., my commitment to dislocation is waning, especially with the increased opportunities to earn a credible Ph.D. via DL.

    3. Cost: Most US RA programs (Ph.D.) range in cost from 25K--80K, more than I am willing to invest. For this reason I chose not only a DL program, but a foreign GAAP program.

    4. Credibility: There are credible options even at the Ph.D. level, and this was crucial. If the only option I had was either pursue a degree at a questionable school, or not pursue one at all, I would choose the latter.

    5. Convenience: The opportunity to pursue the Ph.D. at basically my own pace was a critical factor as well. The PU program can be completed in a minimum of three years, but one is given up to seven. With full-time responsibilities it is almost impossible to pursue the degree full-time.

    So DL has been an opportunity for me, which I probably would not have been able to pursue otherwise.

    Russell
     
  8. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    I would love to hear from some of the rest of you. Please share your insights and stories.
     
  9. Guest

    Guest Guest

    My motivations are first of all that I want a doctorate. I also cannot afford to leave my current position to study full time (in residence) at a University (have a family to support and to miniature schnauzers). For my purposes, I get the same accredited result by doing a DL doctorate. I am excited about the research doctorate because rather than do busy work (repeating courses I have already taken at the MA level as is the case with many US programs) I can begin doing research into areas within the field that interest me (new learning).

    Oh, and I should add foreign, because I don't have to donate a kidney and my left testicle to pay for it.

    North

     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    North,

    If you are serious about a non-US doctorate try Northwestern International University, Ltd. For just a few hundred bucks you can get the schnauzers a doctorate too!

    Or at least get them ordained, which can be done via the Internet at the Universal Life Church's website. I had my beagle posthumously ordained, five months after he had gone to doggie heaven.

    The Reverend Dr. Schnauzer! I like it. [​IMG]

    Russell
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Ahhh, not just one Rev. Dr. Schnauzer but a Dr. & Dr. Schnauzer.

    Actually, I remember hearing about an enlisted couple (E-4's) who told people they both had doctorates and apparently put on their answering machine that "You have reached the residence of Dr. & Dr. So & So". I was already out of the service but would have loved to have asked her where her & her husband's doctorates were from. She allegedly had one in theology. After she got out she went to work for a state agency in a worker level position.

    Back to your original comment. Do you think the Universal Life Church would provide my dogs with complimentary clerical collars?

    North

     
  12. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Only the ordination is free. Clerical collars are $25.00 each, however, one may secure two for $35.00. The latter would be most advantageous in your situation. [​IMG]

    Russell
     

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