Advice needed on MA/ PHD studies programs

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by PMBrooks, Nov 22, 2005.

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  1. PMBrooks

    PMBrooks New Member

    Ok folks, here's my situation, and then I would like to solicit advice from you.

    I am wrapping up a PHD in theology from a Southern Baptist School. I am already in a teaching position at a Chrisitan university, but I have always wanted to have a second PHD. Call me crazy, but actually I am trying to bridge two fields (systematic theology and Islamic studies), so I really have to get more training in the Islamic studies side of it.

    I have looked at UNISA's MA in Islamic studies. It is affordable andvery high quality. The University of Wales, Lampeter, as well as another Australian university offer totally distance master's that look to be very high quality.

    I am tossed up between whether to go with UNISA or Wales/Australian programs. My toss up is because of the image factor of UNISA. I know that those "images" of UNISA are totally false because they offer high quality programs. But, I am in academia, and some folks in academia don't give South Africans degrees a chance for the quality they do indeed have.

    Here are my thoughts, and I would welcome any advice/feedback/comments:
    1) Since I want to go on to another PHD program after the MA, it really doesn't matter where I got the MA.
    2) Cost is not necessarily a factor, but if I don't have to spend 15K on a Wales/Australian degree compared to 2K for a UNISA degree, I'd rather go with UNISA.
    3) Do doctoral degrees really overshadow where you got your master's degree in academia?

    Thanks for any advice!
     
  2. cbryant

    cbryant New Member

    PMBrooks,

    You may want to also look at University of Birmingham in the UK. They offer a Ph.D via external registration and have several faculty who have research interest in islamic studies and muslim-christian relations. It is a bit pricey (about 4000 Pounds / year) but may be worth investigating. Here is the link:

    http://www.theology.bham.ac.uk/postgrad/external.htm

    Hope this helps,

    cbryant
     
  3. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I think the piece that I find myself stumbling over is the question of what, exactly, you expect this second PhD to do for you. Your PhD in Theology will be your first Doctoral degree and an adequate ticket into most teaching jobs. Heck, you've already got a teaching job and so what is it that you want from this first PhD and then what do you want from the second? You say that you know the UNISA degree is of good quality but you're worried that others (who don't know what they're talking about) might demean your second PhD? What's wrong with this picture?
    Jack
     
  4. PMBrooks

    PMBrooks New Member

    Actually, I have found that state universities will not allow someone with a seminary degree to teach in a secular university setting. I actually talked with the department head of state university here in the South and they said that, even for adjuncting, they would prefer I had a non-seminary degree.

    So, the reason for pursuing a second PHD, is first of all, just for the enjoyment of learning. Second, it is also to be able to teach, especially adjunct, in a state university setting.

    IYO, do you think a second PHD would be demeaned for such reasons as this?
     
  5. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    In my opinion, I think
    1) Anyone setting out to become a full-time, tenured university professor has a long, hard road in front of them and they will need every single advantage they can acquire.
    2) Anyone setting out to become a full-time, tenured university professor might be better off spending their time getting their reseach published (as often as is humanly possible) in scholarly journals than in earning a second PhD.
    3) If you can not get an adjunct teaching job with one PhD from a respected seminary and a second PhD from UNISA then there is a serious problem with that university and their hiring practices.
    Best of luck.
    Jack
     
  6. Guest

    Guest Guest

  7. PMBrooks

    PMBrooks New Member

    I'm sorry, but do you have a point by posting the search thread?
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Hello,

    Actually, no. I just remembered your posting similar questions several times before, that's all.

    If you read one of those you will see I replied I have great admiration for you, or something like that.
     
  9. PMBrooks

    PMBrooks New Member

    ok, I understand now. I just didn't know what you were getting at. I am struggling with this decision and so I appreciate the discussion board and all those, including you, who have helped me make the decision. So, thanks!
     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    You're welcome. I'd be interested on periodic posts about your Ph.D. in Theology work--difficulty, struggles, courses, papers, etc.

    Blessings to you!
     

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