After reading more and thinking more, I would like to skip the MA step. I understand the issues of ABD. I like the idea behind Harrison Middleton University. Hence, I started looking at HMU, but the DETC worried me. So I am after a history/economics/liberal arts doctoral program where I can jump right in. Of me: I have two BA degrees and about half (45) of an M.Div program. Any suggestions or comments?
Ncu NCU is a regionally accredited institution that offers doctoral degrees in Business, Education and Psychology. Last I checked they allow one to go from Bachelor to doctorate and accept 30 upper level credits. The Doctorate in Education has the following specializations: Curriculum and Teaching Educational Leadership Educational Technology Management & E-Learning English as a Second Language (ESL)/English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Exceptional Student Education Global Training & Development Leadership Higher Education Leadership Instructional Leadership Organizational Leadership
Just an observation, you are not technically skipping it, because you will have to meet those requirements at the master's level(credits needed it). Some may call this approach concurrent master's/doctorate program. Anyway the end result is the same, a doctorate degree.
I'm not sure what you mean by "jump right in". Many of the more high-powered doctoral programs recruit students with bachelors degrees and treat applicants with masters degrees as graduate-level transfers. Departments that do this typically don't admit students whose goal is to earn a masters degree. Students in these programs usually receive their masters degrees as an intermediate step towards their doctorate, upon passing their comprehensive examinations. Many "top tier" doctoral programs do that, but I can't think of any DL doctoral programs that do it. DL programs usually treat the masters and the doctoral programs separately, and students enroll in the masters program, then in the doctoral program. But the difference looks bigger than it is. The same amount of work is going to be involved either way. Students who enter the doctoral program immediately after receiving their bachelors will have more requirements to complete than a transfer who enters with a masters degree. So everyone ends up doing about the same number of credit hours.
Hi Chas - First I'd want to say that I believe that both Vini and Bill are right. However, there are a couple of other issues to address. The first relates to the reason you want to earn the degree. Many people who earn doctoral degrees want to teach. At least one recent thread has shown that even DETC accredited schools want their instructors to have RA doctoral degrees. That HMU DA might not do the work that you're hoping it might do. The second issue is this. There is a HUGE difference between a doctoral degree in History and a doctoral degree in Economics. I don't know where you earned your BAs or their subject areas but Economics, on a doctoral level assumes a competency in general economics stuff (micro/macro/etc) as well as upper level math skills. stats, etc. Got Math? Finally, we've got virtually no US distance learning doctoral programs in History or Economics. Do you think a non-US degree will work for you? If yes then you'll have a handful of options. If no then you're back to looking at those Masters programs.
My daughter-in-law earned a BS in Biology. After a few years working she was accepted for a Ph.D. progran in Ocean Science at one of the University of California schools (full time on-campus). It toook her 5 or 6 years to earn her Ph.D. No masters along the way. The application and interview (plus UG work) were very important factors in being accepted into the program.
Hi Ian - I've been told that there are situations where a PhD student has to leave their program of studies following the completion of the coursework portion of their program. In those cases schools will often award a terminal Masters degree in the subject area if asked to do so. I don't know how universal this practice might be. I'm glad it didn't come into play for your daughter in law.
Yes this is common. The bottom line, as has been written and re-written in every way it is possible, there really is no "skipping", per se. In some programs you get the Masters degree as you move along and in others you don't. But the bottom line is that a doctoral program straight from a BS is often approx 80 credits. A combination of a Masters and a doctorate afterwards is - surprise - approx 80 credits.
Boys, I'm telling you that this is about as close to a concensus as you're ever going to find on this board.
PhD The PhD prepares one for research. What difference does it make what discipline it is in? Nursing, Psych, Education, etc. The common factor is research and the principles are the same. I guess in the case of going from a BA to a PhD, the field may make a difference because one doesn't have a masters degree in a specific field. For me, I have a master of science in nursing and if I pursue a PhD in education or psychology, I am still a nurse with a PhD. That is why Northcentral University appeals to me. www.ncu.edu Good Luck! Leadsled
