Another South Africa PhD Question

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Jakeh56, Dec 12, 2013.

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  1. Jakeh56

    Jakeh56 New Member

    I am new to the forum, and came across it researching my PhD options. I read on several posts about the research PhDs in South Africa, and frankly I am intrigued. It is rather hard to believe that you can get a PhD for under $2k a year!

    Here is my situation: I have a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Technology Management and my undergrad was in Electrical Engineering Technology. I have been teaching at a Community College for 5 years, and am in my first semester as a lecturer at a medium size public teaching university. I also have a wife and three children. I need to complete my PhD to be accepted on a promotion track at the university, and I am excited about pursuing research in a couple of fields that really interest me. At the same time I do not want huge debts that will take years to get a return on my investment, and I cannot move to a university. I also live in a rural area that restricts me to commuting.

    Because of all these reasons I am very interested in a PhD from South Africa. I am curious about the following:

    • Will I have to travel to South Africa to complete my PhD? If so how much?
    • Will SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) recognize my PhD?
    • How will my defense work?


    I am particularly interested in the PhD in Education with a focus on Technical Education from Rhodes University and the PhD in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg. Anyone with experience from those programs or universities would be extremely helpful.

    Thank you.

    Jake
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Every school/department can have it's own policies and so it's not really possible to answer your questions definitively.
     
  3. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    It's true. There are so many different programs, and each has its own set of rules and characteristics. I completed the Doctorate in Business Leadership at UNISA recently and enjoyed the process. It was a tough, rigorous program and I haven't had any questions about it over here in North America beyond the genuine curiosity of why I chose that particular program and school, and I can articulate my reasons comfortably and with pride. My thesis is also out there for anyone to see. The defense was a multi-stage process where I defended my proposal, methodology and final results in 3 different visits. these visits to South Africa were a real highlight for me, and I made the most of the opportunity to see the country. The cost was more like $3,500 per year for tuition or thereabouts as a foreign student (plus my travel costs) but a great bargain for sure. I can't imagine a better quality to price value ratio. I got it done in 4 years from start to graduation. Good luck with your decision!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 13, 2013
  4. PilgrimPastor

    PilgrimPastor New Member

    I'm not personally terribly well versed in SA Doctorates. I've talked to the folks at South African Theological Seminary about a Doctor of Theology a few years back. But, here is some anecdotal evidence that SA PhD's are at the very least not a hinderance in one's career. They tend to be very well respected.

    bio (Don't want to start the Ergun Caner discussion... his personal controversy aside, he has held high posts in Christian academia with a SA Doctorate.

    A couple of quick Google searches provides much more (and better) evidence of the utility of SA Doctorates.
     
  5. jam937

    jam937 New Member

    Don't just consider the tuition at 4 years x $3500= $14000. If you are n the US and have to travel to South Africa 3 times it could be ~$10,000 in travel expenses. So it could be in the $24,000 range total. Keep that in mind
     
  6. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Fair enough, but still a bargain at twice the price IMHO. People spend more on cars and other toys. And besides, seeing a baby rhino in the wild: priceless! :)
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    For $24,000 once can do a DBA through Wilmington University (if you get in) or an EdD through a number of schools. And Americans have access to financial aid for that, which they do not when attending a foreign school externally. (Not disagreeing with you, though, just adding points to consider.)
     
  8. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Somewhere on the UNISA site it states explicitly that you don't need to come to campus. Period. One of our members recently posted that he did his dissertation defence (they call it a thesis in SA) via Skype. You can not be assured that this is the case with all other SA schools.
     
  9. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Depends on the program. For the DBL you definitely need to go to the campus to attend 3 colloquia and present phases of your research. But that is probably is the exception. And yeah fair enough, the OP was thinking about PhDs and other schools. :)

    "The curriculum comprises a thesis on an approved topic. The student must attend at least three colloquia to submit reports on
    the following:
    (i) Research proposal and extensive literature review
    (ii) Research methodology
    (iii) Research results (findings)
    Satisfactory progress must be demonstrated at the colloquia to ensure re-registration."

    (From the brochure at http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/colleges/sbl/docs/Degree%20DBL%20jan%202014.pdf)
     
  10. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    Still a bargain, but there are at least 2 PhD programs here in the states for that price or less, one regionally accredited and one nationally accredited.
     
  11. trustbuddy

    trustbuddy New Member

    Are you talking about Temple Tennessee and Johnson's University?
     
  12. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

  13. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    Yes. I have looked at both of these institutions many times and am still considering them.
     
  14. Jakeh56

    Jakeh56 New Member

    Great information, thank you. I have been looking at a PhD at Indiana State University in Technology Management that is around $35k. It is one of the cheapest that I have found. One thing that interest me so much about the SA PhDs is that I have choices that better match my research interest.
     
  15. Jakeh56

    Jakeh56 New Member

    The problem that I have with these programs, or an EdD is that my doctorate is supposed to be in my field of study, Engineering Technology. I am pretty sure that my provost would frown on a PhD in Leadership Studies.
     
  16. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Yes it would depend on your motivation for a doctorate. If it is to become more deeply specialized a specific field, then a focused PhD would make sense. If, on the other hand, it is to get some more broad education in preparation for a senior management role, then any number of general doctorates in leadership or management would likely do the trick. Both approaches makes sense depending on your situation and needs.
     
  17. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    It depends on the school and the department. I am enrolled at the University of the Free State, and I have had to present four times already (twice for a field study), and each time, I was allowed to present by distance, the last two times were through SKYPE. However, I imagine that they will want me to defend my dissertation in person. Brad Sweet also graduated from Free State and defended in person shortly before graduation.
     
  18. Boethius

    Boethius Member

    I finally did it! So, now I'm enrolled in the MA/PhD program at Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, Barcelona, Spain. Didn't get accepted to their PhD program directly yet; after having two Master's degrees, one in Catholic Theology, they required I take four additional Master's courses in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. In Spain, and I think this may be the case in Europe, all coursework for PhD programs are on the Master's level, and the Master's degree has to be related to the area in which you want to do doctoral research. (Otherwise, you'll have to take extra Master's courses like me!)

    I have to write up an MA thesis which will then be incorporated into my doctoral thesis - which is cool. Their MA program is geared towards their doctorate programs. I have to travel to Barcelona to defend my MA thesis. Upon a successful defense of my MA thesis, I will then be a doctorando, meaning a doctoral student. No more coursework, just independent study and writing, and checking in with an academic advisor to track my progress every 6 months. My MA thesis will practically be my research plan with preliminary bibliography. I'd have to return to Barcelona to defend my doctoral thesis. So, there's travel involved.

    Higher ED in Spain is relatively inexpensive for us in the USA, and is becoming one of the best values in Europe. My coursework and MA thesis cost my about $3,000, not including books and travel. Once I become a doctoral student, I pay an annual matriculation fee of about $700 USD. I have up to 5 years to complete the PhD; I could extend it to eight years under special circumstances.

    Thus far, I love the coursework. I thought it would suck since I already have two master's degrees but it's a smart move on the part of the university because I know exactly what they expect on the doctoral level - to support what some of you said above about policies and procedures.

    I know OP inquired about SA schools. I'm just sharing my experience so far with a European school and a similar PhD model.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 17, 2013
  19. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Very cool! Sounds like a fun adventure with no duplicated effort and some fun travel. Congrats! :)
     
  20. Boethius

    Boethius Member

    Hey there distancedoc2007 - thanks! It's been a while since I've been here. Yes, it's a win-win situation. I sold my wife on us needing to go Barcelona, Spain at least couple if times for this venture - what a drag!! (he he :) ).

    Did I mention that all my papers in my Masters courses are just geared towards aspects my doctoral thesis? The program is a good fit for me.
     

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