Free State/UNISA and Research/Master's Thesis

All:

I have had some conversations with both IACI-Canada (UNISA) and Free State via email. I'll try to summarize below. I am looking to get a PhD in accounting (or equivalent) and I already have a US Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in accounting with NO thesis.

In talking to UNISA, it sounds like they "officially" will require a master's thesis. For me, this is a real negative. I don't want to have to do a thesis in a subject where I already publish and really don't need it, then have to do a dissertation on top of it. Keep in mind I am after the PhD mainly to help my institution for accreditation purposes. However, some of the comments the folks at IACI have made make me wonder if occasionally UNISA lets regular Master's degrees (no thesis) slide for PhD admittance. I won't say who or precisely what, but some things I have heard make me think that's a possibility.

In talking to Free State, they indicated that a regular master's (no thesis) was "fine for admittance" to the PhD program. If true, this is a huge advantage.

Keep in mind also I am close (few months) from defending a PhD in a different discipline, so this is mainly an exercise in finding the path of least resistance to a PhD in accounting.

Does anyone have any experience with UNISA and Free State and the "master's thesis" rule--- what is required?

Please, most respectfully, I am not interested in debating "why two PhD's" or anything like that, and yes there are accreditation differences in being qualified to teach in a discipline and having a terminal degree in the discipline. Sorry for the caveat but I have had a couple of threads get hijacked and it's not helpful.

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated!

thanks!

 

I applied to UNISA's DPA program about 4 years ago. My MPA did not require a thesis but rather a Research Project which was fairly akin to a typical US University thesis. I submitted my Research Project along with a 5 page Doctoral research plan. I was denied the ability to enroll. After a lengthy process of essentially badgering IACI non-stop I was finally told that my Research Project (around 50 pages) was not sufficient to indicate I would be successful in the DPA program. I was frankly shocked having always excelled in every academic endeavor I attempted. I figured the DPA would be another success story. I just never got the chance.

Hopefully Connie here on the board will chime in on Free State. I know that she was ABD at Northcentral and then applied to Free State. They allowed her to conduct a Field Study, essentially a Master's Thesis to prove that she could be allowed to apply for the Pre-Qualification stage for a PhD in Business Administration. From what I know her Masters was also a non-Thesis degree.

As I read about the Free State process, it seems there is still the hurdle of getting the PhD Research Topic approved and accepted (the closure of the Pre-Qualification stage) before one is actually a PhD Student. This all sounds rather lengthy and from my other research of South African Doctoral programs unfortunately typical.

 

Application fees for these schools are so small . . . just apply to both and see what you get. If one offers you a better deal then take it. Maybe you're trying too hard to predict the future before you make a move. Take a shot and then deal with the reality afterwards. What's the application fee 50 bucks? Don't get caught up in analysis paralysis.

 

This is really good advice frankly. If you don't take a shot you will never know.

To provide a bit more supplemental information. UNISA does accept individuals with non-Thesis Masters. I know a Nursing Professor in West Virginia who was admitted to a D.Litt et Phil program in Health Sciences with her highest qualification being a non-Thesis Master of Science in Nursing.