I'm an MBA student and about to graduate. My MBA program does not include a thesis, so I can't proceed to Phd. Does anyone know of a distance learning program where I can do my thesis?
Help us out here with a little more information. You're in an MBA program that doesn't require a thesis for graduation and you want to switch programs? This brings up a multitude of questions. (1) Are you close to graduation? If so, why do you wish to switch? Another MBA program is unlikely to transfer more than 6 hours toward another degree. (2) Why is a thesis absolutely necessary? Many competent MBA programs don't require you to write one. As well, many competent PhD programs don't require you to have written one as a prerequisite for admission. (3) If you need to write one, can you not get special permission for your school to write one for credit?
Or....are you looking for a Ph.D. program that will admit you on the basis of your non-thesis master's? If so, just about any DL Ph.D. program in business in the U.S. will do so, including Phoenix, Argosy, Walden, Capella, Touro International, and Northcentral. Also, the MBA is the expected entry credential to the Australian DBA programs I looked at, including Charles Sturt, Central Queensland, and Southern Queensland. Of course, a DBA isn't a Ph.D., but it might meet your needs.
Additional Info & Questions Thanks guys for your answer. As for Brett's questions - I'm one simester from graduating. I'm looking for a place to write the thesis because my school does not give credit for it. I didn't know that there are Phd programs that accepts MBA graduates without a thesis (in all of the universities here a thesis is a must), and I'm not sure I want to proceed to Phd immediately, I just want to keep my options open. Do all the universities you mentioned have a distance learning program?
What's the problem I cannot see what the problem is here. A master's that includes a dissertation is helpful to a doctoral degree applications committee because you will be able to demonstrate your ability, or otherwise, to write and critically analyse and put together a good literature review. In cases where I see doctoral applicants who have not hads to write a master's dissertation I ask them to prepare a piece of written work, on a subject of their own choosing, and this comes to me with their PhD or DBA application. However, all this stated, there is a world of difference between an average/typical master's dissertation and what is required for a doctoral thesis. So, that's why we have candidates take courses in doctoral thesis reseach methods. They go through an writinf apprenticeship and that's all part of learning what it is to be a doctoral student/candidate. Telfax
