Since I started hanging out at AED about four years ago, there have been many posters that achieved ABD status but none has announced that he or she is done. Others are also pursuing foreign research PhD programs but no one has finished yet. I know that Dr. Weltch and Dr. Levicoff had their DL PhDs before 1997. Does this mean that DL PhD programs are more difficult that we would like to believe? Ike Okonkwo PhD (ABD), Nova Southeastern University
I'd say they certainly aren't too easy, or the schools wouldn't be regionally accredited. Good call. I should be joining the ranks of Ph.D. students within the next couple of months, but it'll be through a non-U.S. school. If I were to do a U.S. DL doctorate at this point, I think it would probably be Nova's Ph.D. in conflict management, or perhaps something from Saybrook or Pacifica. While I prefer the research doctorate approach, you know I've never had a poor opinion of properly accredited U.S. doctorates. I'm certain, for example, that you're working quite hard for yours, and wish you the best of luck. Peace, ------------------ Tom Head www.tomhead.net
Thanks. I just have to keep trying my best. It will require time and diligence but I will be done one day. Ike
I earned the Ph.D. at Fielding last year (2000). It can be done. I do question the "DL" wording though, since - in my program design - I included plenty of f2f (other students and faculty). My Fielding experience was more of a 'adult learning model'. BTW, I highly recommend Fielding - which I consider one of the most underestimated, misunderstood and least discussed schools on this board. (But of course I'm an alumni - so what would you expect?? Barry Foster P.S. Fielding just announced a name change. The school is now called the Fielding Graduate Institute.
Barry, maybe you could start a Fielding topic -- giving us a better idea of what the degree programs are like. I too have wondered why Fielding doesn't get more play on this board. A general observation: I've often found the institutional literature from some of the RA DL doctoral programs to be somewhat vague in terms of describing the day-to-day work of earning the degrees. Some of those folks who aren't clued into the world of DL must have a hard time figuring out exactly what kind of work is expected of them. I think it contributes to the "mysteriousness" of DL doctoral study.
Jason Baker of Baker's Guide earned a Ph.D. (nontraditionally) from Regents University and is now an Assistant Professor for DL programs. He used to post fairly frequently on aed. http://www.bakersguide.com http://www.regents.edu North
