FYI: PhD to DBA at NCU

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by bing, Aug 30, 2005.

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  1. bing

    bing New Member

    I recall reading many postings from would be DBAers when Northcentral started their DBA program. To me, it looked as if many were switching over to the DBA from the PhD, for various reasons. Primary among them seemed to be that the DBA did not require an oral defense. Others stated that they felt the DBA had more of a universal appeal to both business and academia. My perception was that "everyone" was switching to the DBA.

    Perusing the NCU Learner's Area(where only students have access), it appears that my perceptions were incorrect. Only 11 DBA learners show up in the database. Now, keep in mind that one may opt out of the "limelight" and be stealth there. However, with so many PhD's listed, and only 11 DBA's listed, it does seem that few switched. There are likely other explanations, too.

    Someone brought up an interesting topic a while back regarding NA degrees vs. RA degrees. They had made a comment to suggest that the people switching to the DBA held NA degrees. 11 people is not much to measure, really, and I suspect that the majority of NCU students are not regular contributors here. Yet, I know MANY do read this forum, as they make comment on it at the Learner's site.
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I thought about switching but the oral defense is the only real difference. I would prefer to give the oral defense and get the better known PhD as opposed to a DBA. A DBA could be confused for Database Administrator in the tech world.
     
  3. bing

    bing New Member

    In my field it is. I had a meeting with another co-worker, and I consider him a very bright and scholarly type person, and I informed him of my educational goals to get a DBA. He responded by asking me where I was taking the Oracle classes. When I said it was a doctor of business administration he responded, "a PhD in Oracle?" Then, he put it together quickly after that.

    I actually had a similar discussion with a finance MBA in my company. This makes me wonder if the DBA is really all that well known in the corporate world or whether it is mainly known to academics. If I look at some of the job boards I will see companies looking for a PhD but not see any companies looking for a DBA. I do see universities searching out either of the degrees.

     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Just about everyone has heard of a PhD, but only academics know what a DBA is. :eek:

    If you put DBA on your business card, most people are not going to have any idea what it means. :eek:
     

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