Thesis-only options OTHER than South Africa, UK, Scandinavia-- annoyed with UNISA

Where else in the world can one contact a supervisor, ask to write a thesis, write it, and be done?

I have a PhD already from a regionally-accredited US institution. I waited FOREVER for UNISA to render a decision on my PhD proposal in a different academic area-- an area in which I already have a master's degree as well. I am looking only for programs that will NOT require coursework, since I already have a master's and a ton of hours in the area.

Needless to say UNISA turned me down. My decision was a very odd, arbitrary, two-line decision. One of the lines suggested my proposal "sounded similar to my PhD thesis I already completed." Sorry, but this doesn't invalidate research. So, we can't gather data on new topics that are similar to previously researched topics? Happens in journals all the time. New data=new research, and there was NO overlap other than a couple of similar words in the title. Honestly, after all I've read on UNISA I was surprised at the cavalier way in which they responded. Not ready to go down that road again. Dr. Esselen was hugely helpful by the way, but UNISA is a massive machine.

That being said, I'm not concerned with them not accepting as much as I am moving on without massive delays once again. I am looking at Free State for the fall but what other options are out there? I know I can write and complete a thesis without a problem, I just don't want to wait years for the bureaucracy to spin.

Thanks for your help!

By the way-- please don't ask why I need a 2nd PhD. Not being rude, it's just not relevant to the info I am seeking, and I know someone will bring this up. It's for terminal accreditation purposes in a specific academic area. I know an MS qualifies one to teach, but it doesn't satisfy all RA requirements.

 

I believe that Indian universities have a dissertation-only PhD process.

 

Okay. I won't ask. Besides, I just can't imagine someone doing that!

 

Fortunately, Unisa is not the only South African option for a dissertation only PhD (no coursework, exams, etc.). Not sure what your discipline of study is, but before eliminating South Africa as a viable option, correspond with U of Free State, U of Pretoria, U of Johannesburg, North-West University (formerly Potchefstroom Univ), U of Cape Town, U of Fort Hare, U of KwaZulu-Natal, Rhodes Univ, Stellenbosch Univ, U of Witwatersrand.

You're correct that Unisa is a massive machine, I've often wondered if they have taken on too many students for their level of support personnel (faculty, supervision, etc). Like you, I have a regionally accredited doctorate (although mine is a professional doctorate) from here in the USA. Several years ago I made inquiry into one of Unisa's PhD programs. After 6 weeks I finally received a response. I knew then this would not work for me, as I wanted expeditious response times. I went with another South African institution, enrolled, earned the PhD and was well pleased. That said, Unisa isn't the only viable South African option.

All the best in our pursuit!

 

... and you are correct.

 

Really? You can't?

 

Have you looked at dissertation-only doctorates from Australia?

 

Most of the rest of the world offers dissertation-only doctorates. Why in particular not Scandinavia, South Africa, or the United Kingdom?

 

And what were your two doctorates?

 

This was UNISA's reputation as far back as I go (the late 1970's) in this field.