Research Ph.D. via UK or SA Uni

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cdw, Aug 27, 2013.

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  1. cdw

    cdw New Member

    How are these degrees viewed for hiring purposes in the US?

    These are done in a distance format, perhaps with visits to campus.

    There has been much discussion of on-line Ph.D.'s being unfavorable from a hiring standpoint in the States.

    Thanks for your ideas!
     
  2. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    This subject has been discussed before on this web site. A reputable school in the UK or ZA will not be a serious disadvantage. Many of these schools are bricks and mortar, but will work with you. UK schools will be more expensive that ZA, but they follow the same model of dissertation-only PhDs. You will need to have completed a Master's Degree with thesis to be considered. The UK is venturing into US type Phd and DBA programs (with coursework required). One thing to consider is that "intakes" only occur once or two a year (When you can enroll), and much paperwork is required.
     
  3. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    In a sense, most UK, SA or AU degrees can be considered distance as they are research only. Some schools would require regular visits while other ones not.

    More than the delivery format, it is the reputation of the school that counts, if your UK or SA school has a strong reputation, the fact that you did not sit your butt in a class room won't matter.

    If you are planning to use the degree for a research job, most employers would look at the publications and caliber of the journals in your resume. A person with a strong research publication background with a degree earned externally from the UK would have more credibility that some one that spent 4 years at a residential program but has few publications in low tier journals.

    It is a global world now, it is common to see people now doing degrees at schools overseas. The bottom line is the reputation of the school and caliber of the research that you generate.
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Employed by whom? PhD graduates can go on (or continue to be) practitioners, or they can become academics.

    As practitioners, seldom will anyone care how the degree was earned, what it contained and (in many cases) who awarded it.

    In academia, such a degree would be very acceptable, with great interest placed on what was researched in the PhD thesis.

    In other words, just like a PhD awarded by a US school. You might get the occasional question about how and why you chose that school, but don't expect it. Most hiring managers will not have done what you did, and they won't feel qualified to question it.
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I have a doctorate degree from an Australian school. My experience has been that for adjunct positions, all it matters is that the degree passes the WES test. WES is a foreign credential evaluator, if WES says that is equivalent to a PhD degree in the US, you should be able to use it to teach no problem.

    The problem is when you try to use it for a full time tenure track position, for these you have different requirements. Most positions would require previous teaching experience, research publications and if it is a business position, a degree from an AACSB accredited school or foreign equivalent (e.g. AMBA, EQUIS).

    Most schools would also prefer American or Canadian PhDs from research Universities over other foreign degrees unless the school is very well known (e.g. London School of Economics), however, there are fields with shortages with not enough applicants that will be willing to take foreign doctorates such as engineering, accounting, finance among other fields.

    There are plenty of faculty that work in the US with British and Australian PhDs but the degree is just part of the equation and many other variables play into place.
     
  6. cdw

    cdw New Member

    Thank you everyone. Good info and advice!
     

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