Union Institute Diploma Question

Howdy!

Just out of curiosity (much as I adore Union, I won't be going that route, at least not for my first doctorate): When you graduate from the Union Institute with an individualized Ph.D., does the diploma list (a) The individualized major, (b) A major in "Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences," or (c) No major at all?

People occasionally ask me this question, and I've never had an answer for them. But I know we have at least one Union graduate here, and probably others lurking, so...

Thanks for any help!


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

No graduates have popped up yet, so I'll toss in my two cents. If I recall correctly, Steve Levicoff said that all Union Ph.D.'s (except psychology) are awarded in Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, with a concentration in the Individualized Major. They used to award the degree in the IM, but the accrediting association put a stop to it. I don't know what is actually listed on the diploma.


Bruce

 

Correct. They never stressed the "Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences" hoopla until a few years ago, when the Graduate School was split into two (the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, both under the umbrella of what they now call the Graduate College).

In terms of the Union diploma, they follow the lead of most schools and simply list the degree title, Doctor of Philosophy.

The only time a major will be listed (by any school) on a diploma is when the major is part of the actual degree title (for example, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Liberal Studies). Traditional arts and sciences degrees generally never list a major; in fact, if a major is listed, it is often an indication that the school is a degree mill.

That is why the diploma for my B.A. from TESC merely says "Bachelor of Arts," not "Bachelor of Arts in Humanities." Ditto my M.A. in Theology and Law from Norwich - the diploma merely says "Master of Arts." A major (or specialization, or concentration, depending on the school) appears on the transcripts, but not the diplomas.

(Actually, this raises an interesting qustion that John Wetsch might be able to answer. The M.A. program at Antioch is also known as the M.A.I.S. - Master of Arts in Individualized Studies. I've often wondered whether the whole ball of wax appears on their diplomas.)

 

I don't mean to come across as Steve Levicoff's full-time devil's advocate, but my M.A. diploma from HUX lists the major (Humanities), as does my nephew's traditional B.S. degree (Biology) earned at a four-year liberal arts college (the only nontraditional thing about it is that he graduated at 19).

But it's good to be able to convey this information to prospective Union students, at any rate. Thanks!


Cheers,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

My BA and MJ (Berkeley) don't; my PhD (Michigan State) does list a field. So far, it seems, no standard approach.

 

My first bachelor's from USNY Regents (B.S., Business) does say so, my second (B.A., Liberal Arts with Sociology concentration) does not. And they were awarded within 6 months of each other.

Rich Douglas

 

My BA (RA) and DMin (RA/ATS) diplomas do not list the major, however, my MA (RA/ATS) diploma does.

Russell

 

My Penn State B.A. diploma does specify the major. My RA M.Div. does not.

Craig

 

I think that if you check the old Regents catalog, you'll find that the B.A. title stands on its own. The business degree, likewise - the degree itself is a B.S.B.A. (It's the same with TESC.)

Likewise, Russell M. noted that his RA/ATS M.A. shows a major. Again, in ATS schools, the major is part of the degree title - it's technically an M.A.R., not an M.A. That's why the word "Religion" appears on the diploma. (In other words, a "Master of Arts" that is done in religion at a liberal arts school will not list religion on the diploma, although it will on the transcript. A "Master of Arts in Religion" from an ATS school will read that way on the diploma.)

Ditto Tom H's master's - the actual program title is the "Master of Arts in Humanities" program. Therefore, the word Humanities will appear on the diploma, although not the specific concentration or specialization (broad or focused) that one takes in the CSUDH HUX program.

There are, of course, exceptions to every principle. Let's try not to whip 'em out and compare - the bottom line is that y'all have the degrees (which, of course, makes us better and more fabulous looking than everyone else).

 

A bit too large of a generalization.

Just to add another data point, my PhD has the field. For MIT and Hebrew University (at least) the dissertation title is even listed on the diploma....I've always thought that was a bit dangerous. Pity the poor MIT PhD grad whose work is made irrelevent or plain wrong by future developments.