Are you happy with your online doctorate?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by SurfDoctor, Dec 23, 2011.

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  1. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I am hoping to hear from those on this board who earned a doctorate online, fully or at least partially. Are you glad that you did it? Why or why not? Would you do it differently if you could go back in time to start over? Has it helped you in any way? Has it opened any doors? Are you proud of it? Has anyone criticized you for it?

    I am asking purely for discussion purposes.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 23, 2011
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Are you glad that you did it? Why or why not?
    Yes I am happy since it opens additional adjunct opportunities and it is something I felt I wanted accomplish

    Would you do it differently if you could go back in time to start over?
    I would more strongly consider Nova. The residencies were the killer for me. I travel 50-75% of the time so they are not really an option. The only other one might be Argosy. I actually checked them out when I was 3 or so classes into my PhD (I just remember that) and considered doing a hybrid program. This was real tempting but I could not committ to the mandatory onsite classes. If my life was different I would have done something different

    Has it helped you in any way?
    I have gotten another adjunct gig but that is all I tried to do with it. I am also seen as a "data mining expert" at my corporate job.

    Has it opened any doors?
    not really, only for adjunct work

    Are you proud of it?
    yes

    Has anyone criticized you for it?
    Only here!
     
  3. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    I’m happy with my online doctorate, but if I had to do it all over again, I would not. First, it was too difficult. Second, a doctorate is designed to develop researchers, so if a person doesn’t like conducting research, then pursuing and obtaining a doctorate is moot, unless it’s needed to get a tenured position as a professor. Getting a doctorate is very prestigious, but that isn’t a valid reason for pursuing one. Getting a doctorate to become more marketable as a consultant also isn’t a wise idea; that’s not why doctorates were created. Also, consider the attrition rate of doctoral candidates; it’s not a wise expenditure of funds, time and effort for a 50% (or less) gamble of actually graduating with a doctorate. However, people will continue to chase the PhD rainbow because of the prestige that is associated with it.

    Find a good hobby. Get a second job or if you’re retired, then get a part-time job that you enjoy. Take up cross training or weight lifting. Take your spouse out to dinner and enjoy life.
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I just finished my first semester, so I don't have enough experience to offer a conclusive opinion, but I'll say "so far, so good".
     
  5. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    For me, I completed about 1/3 the coursework for a doctorate in Nursing. The program was a mixture of on campus, online and clinical. As a working adult supporting a family, I can say it is very difficult! Anyway, I was unable to properly "manage time" so I withdrew from the program.

    My search began for a 100% online program. Walden University accepted me and some of the coursework in transfer credit (15 credits). I'll restart the doctoral journey again this time without all the on campus and clinical requirements. I hope this school will work for me. Any input about Walden is appreciated and wish me luck!
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I did not complete an online doctorate but an external doctorate. I did not take online classes with online exams or used online platforms such as black board. My experience was a bit different from the rest of the distance students as I was mainly required to produce research for the doctorate.

    I profited from my education, I was able to get more work as adjunct and helped me to land a full time faculty position at a University.

    Few Universities that I applied were concerned about the fact that I earned the degree in Australia while being in Canada. One school scheduled an interview for a faculty position that was later cancelled once they learned that the degree was earned distance.

    My present employer was also concerned about the distance degree and required me to send the degree for examination at our graduate office before an offer was made.

    In general, distance doctorates seem to be an issue for faculty positions. For those getting one with the intention to become faculty, I would recommend them to get one from an established and recognized institution, the reputation of the institution is very important as many would question the rigour of your education when applying for positions. I would also recommend to back up your education with publications that can build the credibility of the degree.
     
  7. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    You have done well and deserve our congratulations. Obviously your skills and experience overcame any doubts your employer had about the origin of your degree.
     
  8. suelaine

    suelaine Member

    Yes, I am glad I did it. I was hired immediately at a B&M University after getting my Ph.D. from NCU but that was not really my goal when I started. I was teaching for another for-profit online competitor which is more highly regarded on this forum than NCU. That University was all but promising me a full time position with benefits, that I could do from a distance if I would get a Ph.D. So that is why I started it. Within the first year, my employer sold out to a larger entity and it soon became evident they were not going to ever offer me such a job with or without a doctorate, unless I would agree to move to the location of the college, which simply was not an option for me. Even so, I had prepaid for my entire doctorate degree, locked in my tuition at under $25 K for the entire program, and so the fact it was all paid for is one reason that I continued on in spite of not having my original motivation.

    I never had the motive to be a full time professor at a B&M University. I am not one who would get a doctorate just for the prestige even though now that I have one, I enjoy it. I also would not put myself or my family in financial hardship to get one. I actually made a bargain with myself I would only enroll if I could save the money first, and so that is what I did. Now that I'm done, and I don't owe any money for it, it is just great to be called Dr!



    No, and I'd still choose NCU. In spite of everything, it was the least expensive, most convenient option for me at the time, and the only one that I found that actually offered the degree I wanted: Ph.D. in Education, Technology Management. The other university that I worked for and still work for is far more highly regarded on this forum, but I don't see the big difference in reality in the quality of their programs or the overall satisfaction of the students. That is one reason why I have come to believe the bias against NCU that seems to appear in this forum (as compared to other online for-profits) is not warranted.
    Yes, Yes, and Yes.
    No.
    Randall said "Only on this forum." I don't post on the forum all that much though I have posted some recently; I don't recall anyone, even on this forum, directly criticizing me for it, though I have seen a lot of general criticism and negative remarks aimed toward anyone who would choose this route, especially with NCU.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Are you glad that you did it?

    Immensely. I didn't do it "online," but I completed a Ph.D. through independent study and short-residency with The Union Institute. My specialization was non-traditional higher education, the subject of boards like this.

    Why or why not?

    It transformed my career. I went from being another trainer with a job to someone who would be considered a valued consultant. Also, it changed the way I approach my work, causing me to be more analytical, even with "settled" notions and topics.

    Would you do it differently if you could go back in time to start over?

    I would pay more attention to the theoretical underpinnings of my work, tying practice back to academics. Also, I would have tried to turn my studies into my work instead of focusing on the career arc I was following. It worked out in good ways, but I miss doing the whole accreditation/diploma mill thing.

    Has it helped you in any way?

    Financially, career growth and opportunities, and a general sense of authority in the work I do. It's not unlike a club membership in some ways.

    Has it opened any doors?

    Every single one I've walked through in the past 9 years.

    Are you proud of it?

    This is a difficult concept, pride. Let me say that I'm glad I attended Union and did the degree I did. I'm a graduate of the "old" Union, back when you could still do very nontraditional and andragogical things in your degree program. I'll always be glad I did that.

    Has anyone criticized you for it?

    Not to my face. Most people are either intrigued or blase about it. Except for boards like this, of course, where for some reason doing a nontraditional degree (or a degree nontraditionally) becomes a hot subject, even though that's supposed to be the boards' raison d'etre. Go figure.

    Bottom line: almost no one in the real world knows or cares how you did your doctorate, or where. You can debate whether this is good or bad (the answer is "yes," BTW), but it is very much true.
     
  10. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Are you glad that you did it?

    Yes! I lived in a rural area, away from major cities, with family. Toss in a deployment to Iraq... No regrets whatsoever.

    Why or why not?

    My degree program was challenging. I read my rear end off, wrote multiple papers, and of course, learned how to research!

    Would you do it differently if you could go back in time to start over?

    Would have enrolled in more qualitative research courses - since my dissertation went down that road. I originally was going to survey, but as dissertation time approached, it was clear to me that qualitative research was the best methodology.

    Has it helped you in any way?

    From Rich - Financially, career growth and opportunities, and a general sense of authority in the work I do. It's not unlike a club membership in some ways. Agree 100%.

    I have a tenure track position at an ACBSP institution - would not have happened if I did not have a doctorate.

    Has it opened any doors?

    Being a PhD candidate helped me land my first full time teaching position at LCO Community College in WI. Obviously, I wouldn't have a tenure track position without the degree.

    Are you proud of it?


    Yes - Especially grateful for the fellows in the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS). Gave me a great deal of support along the way and now. At the last conference in October, an IUS fellow who teaches at the US Army War College approached me and we talked about my experiences, and Capella. He told me that he is very impressed with Capella's PhD programs in leadership.

    Has anyone criticized you for it?

    No :)

    Would I go to Capella now?

    A yes but...answer:

    I'd look very hard at Valdosta's DPA program due to the cost. I liked Capella because they did have residency. I considered Walden, but their residencies were during my annual training for the National Guard so I couldn't make it work.

    Any other advice?

    Go to conferences, present papers, and network. Be realistic about job expectations. I have the job I wanted, to teach at a small university.
     

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