Would anyone help me please. I earned three masters degrees, one from Cal State LA and two from Texas A&M. Now, I'm interested in pursuing a PhD in the humanities field (history, political science, international relations, etc). Does anyone know what public school in the U.S. if any could accept all units from these three masters into my prospective program, thereby getting exempted from fulfilling any other requiremnt except for the main requirement, THE DISSERTATION WRITING part ???????? I am aware there are a bunch of schools (Capella, Walden, Union Institute, etc) that do offer; but I don't have much confidence in them. The thing is that I love public institutions unless there is a private one... Thanks guys, I appreciate your time for stopping by... John
You're not going to find a US, regionally accredited school (public or private) that will waive all doctoral requirements except the dissertation. As a matter of fact, I'd be surprised if you found one that would waive *any* of the requirements. If you're hell-bent on doing just the dissertation, your only legitimately accredited option would probably be a British or Australian research doctorate. If accreditation isn't an issue, you might inquire at some of the legitimate unaccredited schools about doing a dissertation-only doctorate, the most they can do is say no. Of course, the usual warnings about unaccredited degrees apply (I'm no fan at all of unaccredited schools, I'm just throwing this out as a possible option). Bruce
Bruce has great advice. If you simply want the dissertation then you rbest bet is to go with a British, South African, or Australian School. Due to exchange rates the SOuth African & Australian Schools will be the best value. Research docotrates involve lengthy dissertations but not the usual coursework. I am in a similar category with Bruce. In other words no fan of unaccredited schools. Certainly in the case of an Australian or South African University you are likely to end up paying about the same of less than the unaccredited school for tuition and fees and come away with a GAAP doctorate. Tom Head may have some suggestions for Australian possibilities. With South Africa simply start contacting the Universities from the government education site. UNISA is frequently mentioned here although apparently somewhat difficult to deal with. UNISA is best explored from the Canadian site who respond fairly quickly to inquiries. I am doing a doctorate with the University of Zululand. They do offer research doctorates in several faculties. A couple of months ago I was reviewing one in their Commerce and Administration faculty which I cannot find on their revamped departmental site. Does not mean they do not still offer it as I did notice one mentioned under the Economics department after some searching. My advice is to contact them is you are interested. http://www.uzulu.ac.za Good luck. North
Bruce has great advice. If you simply want the dissertation then your best bet is to go with a British, South African, or Australian School. Due to exchange rates the South African & Australian Schools will be the best value. Research docotrates involve lengthy dissertations but not the usual coursework. I am in a similar category as Bruce. In other words no fan of unaccredited schools. Certainly in the case of an Australian or South African University you are likely to end up paying about the same or less than the unaccredited school for tuition and fees and come away with a GAAP doctorate. Tom Head may have some suggestions for Australian possibilities. With South Africa simply start contacting the Universities from the government education site. UNISA is frequently mentioned here although apparently somewhat difficult to deal with. UNISA is best explored from the Canadian site who respond fairly quickly to inquiries. I am doing a doctorate with the University of Zululand. They do offer research doctorates in several faculties. A couple of months ago I was reviewing one in their Commerce and Administration faculty which I cannot find on their revamped departmental site. Does not mean they do not still offer it as I did notice one mentioned under the Economics department after some searching. My advice is to contact them if you are interested. http://www.uzulu.ac.za Good luck. North
You will want to reconsider having confidence in these programs. The interdisciplinary programs from these RA schools should meet your needs. If your confidence is lacking because they are non-traditional programs thenyou will need to consider traditional programs or else look into foreign research Ph.D. programs. For your interests I would recommend Union. You will also not find a RA Ph.D. program where you do not write a dissertation. The hallmark of the Ph.D. is an original contribution to the field of study. A dissertation is a requirement not an option. John
Alright, I can't resist . . . Why is it that there are still people out there that (1) are too damn lazy to do the work required for a Ph.D., (2) think they deserve a Ph.D. without the work simply because they have other degrees that, in their opinion, "add up" to a Ph.D., and (3) are too dumb to realize that regionally accredited U.S. program just don't work that way? Never mind . . . it as a rhetorical question. But then, I don't care, because I already have a R.A. Ph.D. (Alright, I admit it . . . I'm in an obnoxious mood today!)
One of the dangers of posting when you should be sleeping.....how did I forget South African? Another excellent option. Bruce
Steve does bring up a good point which I do not direct at the original poster. Several B.A.'s or Masters do not equal a doctorate. An academic doctorate is a unique animal. I remember a poster on aed arguing that his J.D. was equal to a Ph.D. because it was 90 semster hours after his B.A. That was of course nonsense. It is in no way equal to a Ph.D. (two different requirements). In fact in some countries like Canada & England a J.D. is really a second Bachelors. Having several associates is not the same as having a B.A. I remember a Sergeatn Major who said an associates taught you to choose multiple choice answers where a B.A. was supposed to give you the ability to do analysis (weigh options etc). This brings me back to my Bruce's suggestion. If you want to do the work a research doctorate may be the way to go. They are affordable. However, they are not going to be easy routes to a doctorate. But it is not supposed to be easy or everyone would have one. My advice is stick to accredited/GAAP programs. North
