Hi Everyone, Is there anyone here that can share some information about the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Information System program at Dakota State? I am interested in the program and would like to hear of anyones experience in the program so far. How many units/classes do you take per semester? Since the classes are primarily online can you please tell me what is required in a typical class (e.g. discussion questions, exams, papers, etc.)? Being that I work full-time I would like to know how much time you spend doing class work and how many classes per semester seem to be a manageable amount. Thanks, Tim
Eric and PhD2B are currently pursuing this program at DSU. They will be able to help. Also see this thread. Sathya
Hi Tim, As Sathya said, I'm working on my doctorate at Dakota State and I love the program. The courses are delivered via the web and they've all been no different than attending a class on-campus. The coursework has been a mix of group projects, papers and exams. I take 2 courses per regular semester and 1 course per summer semester, which seems to be fairly manageable. Like you, I work full-time and have been able to find time to study and keep up with the coursework. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and I'd be happy to answer.
Thanks for the response Eric. I am glad that you are enjoying the classes at DSU so far. Now here's a question for everyone in general. As you guys can see from my signature my degrees are all in CIS and IS. What do you think would add more value to the table for me: D.Sc in Info Sys @ DSU or a DPA (Doctor of Public Admin) @ Valdosta State? Since I already have an M.S. in I.S. I would probably transfer in with the max amount of credits into the DSU program. However, since I work at a local municipality maybe the DPA wouldn't be a bad idea and might give me more educational breadth/scope. Let me know what you guys think?
Hi Eric, I am in the process of filling out the admissions application for the D.Sc. program. Did you request admission as a full-time student (9 hours) or part-time (6 hours or less)? Does it matter which option you select? I was just curious if you received admisison as a part-time student you might not be able to take more than 6 hours if you ever wanted to. Thanks,
Part-time. I don't think it matters which option you select. On the other question you had (RE: DPA vs DSc)...good question Do you want to stay in IS/IT or move into city planning or city government?
Hi Eric, Well here are my thoughts: I already have a graduate and undergraudate degree in the field of Information Systems. So I am just curious to see what would bring more value to the table. I currenlty work in the IT dept. for city government. Someday I may want to move into higher management and a DPA seems like it could be useful. On the other hand, with my MS in IS I could potentially have DSU accept 27 hours of credit into the D.Sc program. Plus, I also teach part-time in the IT/IS disciples so I guess a docotorate in the field wouldn't hurt. What are your thoughts? Should I stay in the field that I am in or should I broaden my horizons with the DPA?
I honestly don't know how to answer....its a great question that I think only you and can answer. The DPA would be helpful if you think you'd want to move into higher management within city/state/federal government. The D.Sc. would be helpful if you are looking to stay in IT/IS. It would help with teaching as well. Do you have a passion for Public Policy/Administration? What about IT/IS? I think the answer to that question might help answer your question about DPA vs D.Sc.
Hi Eric, You asked some very good questions. My passion has always been for IT/IS that is why I really like the D.Sc. However, I feel that maybe I should widened out a little bit and become a little more well rounded. For example, you seem to be well rounded with an MBA, MSEE and soon to be D.Sc. So with that background you could enter a wide variety of careers... However, let me ask you this. What other doctorate programs/schools where you looking at before you selected the D.Sc program at Dakota? What made you finally pick the D.Sc at Dakota?
My choice would be to do the D.Sc. and then follow it up with a MPA (perhaps one accredited by DETC).
I looked at the following programs: Indiana State - PhD in Technology Management University of Alabama - Huntsville - PhD in Engineering Management Grenoble - Doctor of Business Administration Northcentral - PhD in Business Walden University PhD in Management Colorado Tech - Doctor of Management (read a narrative of my selection process at http://ericbrown.com/education) I finally selected DSU for these reasons: Information Systems Doctorate Brick & Mortar Institution Regionally Accredited Cheap Tuition
If you look at the following you'll see that the GRE was probably waived for Eric: "Satisfactory scores on the GRE. The test must have been taken within the last five years. The test can be waived if one of the following conditions is met: * A grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale for a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. * Official admission into and demonstrated success in a regionally accredited graduate program in the U.S. Demonstrated success is defined as grades of A or B in at least 12 hours of graduate work. * OR Graduation from a regionally accredited college/university in the U.S. at least 15 years ago or more." I've been looking at this program myself and am wavering between the MSIS and the D.Sc due to my work and family demands. If I did the MSIS, I could take up to 5 years to finish it and will have enough credits to adjunct. The D.Sc gives you up to 7 years but is over twice the load. I'm thinking that if I take 2-3 years to complete the MSIS I could then enter the D.Sc program, get full credit for what was done and still take 7 years to complete it. If for some reason I enter the D.Sc program and cannot complete it at least I'll have something I could use to adjunct with (the MSIS).
I had taken the GRE for use with Univ of Alabama Huntsville when I was considering their program. I went ahead and submitted it to DSU...I never asked if I could be waived but I think it could have been.
