Doctoral advice - isn't that always the case?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by flannelberry, Mar 20, 2015.

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  1. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Hi all,

    Thanks to the masses of information here, I have been pairing down my doctoral search.

    A quick summary - I hold an MSW and appropriate lic. This is a degree of personal interest though my mentor has advised me there are marketing benefits to having a doctorate. She has never been asked what it's in (rolls eyes), people just want to see 'Dr.' Strange though not surprising; I once had a supervisor in a volunteer counselling situation that was Dr. So and So. It turned out it was in Math.

    Anyway, I can see that the focus of my dissertation would have some clinical overtones but largely be focussed on social change. I am a supervisor and would be fine with a programme that would allow me to grow in that area but am not attached to it (I have training coming in that direction already).

    My preference is to find a school that would not require a residential component. I know some of this is on various threads and I have spent about three days reading through so many that my head is spinning and I'm not clear about what I'm looking at anymore!

    Like everyone, cost is a factor. More so because the chance of me "recouping" my expenses is negligible. I have chronic health problems that, at times, interfere with my earning ability so I'm always mindful of taking on something long term with a big financial outlay.

    I would very much appreciate your feedback on the following schools/programmes. I would like something that is actually interesting and doesn't look ridiculous if asked about it. I have my top three listed in order of preference but would appreciate other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

    The schools:

    1) WISR - I love the feeling of this school just from the webpage. I can see that it would be philosophically congruent for me. In the past, John Bear has recommended it (which is how I learned of it). My only concern - the monthly cost, no part time tuition, now there is an annual attendance requirement (though once per year to Berkley isn't a problem).

    I confess, even the webpage and logo appeal to me. Yes, I am one of those and ok with a hippy dippy degree. :)

    PhD is the easiest designation to hold for me as it requires the least explanation to people.

    2) Cal Southern - It seems to me that I can pay per class and I love the offerings. The webpage is a turn off - too much like a "come and buy your degree here" feeling. I don't love the PsyD designation but it's ok. I think over all I would say "it's ok". It is also accredited, which has some benefit; I believe I can write off their tuition, for example.

    3) ULM - PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy. I think the course work looks good, prices are ok. I need to dig around more but overall, I would say it looks ok.

    So, if you don't mind lending me your collective mental power to make this decision, I would appreciate it.

    Thanks again.
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Food for thought - I know of someone who was in a situation similar to yours . . . MSW, wants a PhD, etc. What she did was get a PhD in Education, focused her studies/dissertation on providing training/clinical supervision, and then built that into her clinical practice, providing supervision/consultation to other Therapists. Just an idea.
     
  3. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Thanks Kizmet - that's a great idea. Any school in particular you'd recommend?
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Well I don't know, I suppose my first recommendation is to take yourself over to our Education forum and see what's discussed in some of the old threads.
     
  5. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    An excellent suggestion. Thanks!
     
  6. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    I like each of these schools for different reasons. First, ULM is the only one that is regionally accredited. If that is important to you, the decision is simple. I really like CalSouthern for the same reasons you mentioned, plus, if you're lucky, they will succeed in their bid for regional accreditation, but that should be considered a bonus if it happens. WISR has a good reputation, but I don't think they offer the PhD anymore. I believe they dropped it due to their bid for DEAC accreditation (Doctoral Program in Higher Education & Social Change | Western Institute for Social Research). Of these 3, I like CalSouthern for the flexibility, payment options, course offerings, etc.

    Have you considered Bakke Graduate University (http://www.bgu.edu/programs/about_dtl)? Their Doctor of Transformational Leadership may be of interest to you, especially considering your interest in social change. It's also a shorter program at 40 semester hours, reasonably priced at $21k, and you have a choice of dissertation or project. It's actually quite cool if you look at degree plan and options. They're nationally accredited through TRACS.
     
  7. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Thanks Pug. I did look at theirs and loved a lot of it -the main problem being that I'm so not Christian. Other than that - yes, that's exactly the kind of programme I'm interested in. My hesitation with CalSouthern is that while the courses look good and I have trouble picking which ones I would want because so many are interesting, I'm worried my social change dissertation idea might not be a fit with the programme (wow - all of that in one sentence). But maybe it will....

    And you're right WISR is an ED.D now...
     
  8. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    Fair enough. So which of the 3 programs really excites you? Put aside the degree title, put aside the webpage design, even put aside the finances. A doctorate is going to demand a lot of time and a lot of energy, even a lot of sacrifice. So which of the 3 really gets your blood flowing?
     
  9. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    It's a great question - social change/action is definitely top of the list. It's why I continue in social work really.

    That being said, the webpage figures into it as much as anything, silly as it may sound. I am involved in hiring and know, when we come across a degree that seems suspect or is somehow unrecognizeable, we google the school. A cheezie webpage is not usually a sign of a great school (though I double check here because sometimes that's not the case).

    Another thing I know I must consider, is that faith based institution raises eyebrows in the secular world.

    I also know that I would like to publish so I need a school that would have some credibility that way as well. I don't need to be in big name journals and I have been asked to publish a couple of things I've written already so, I feel like I need to consider that.

    Thanks so much for taking the time to have a conversation with me. It's helping me figure out my direction more clearly.
     
  10. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    Web pages change with time. I really wouldn't allow that to influence you. If you really want to publish, go with regional accreditation. It's the safer bet.
     
  11. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Thanks Pug. You do make an excellent point.

    Side note - Pug the dog? Pug per Raymond E Feist's series? Something else?
     
  12. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    The dog. I had a Pug for many years...strange, ugly little guys! I loved that dog.:wink1:

    As to your choice of schools, the best advice I can offer is to determine first why you want the degree. I know yiu want it for several reasons, but what is at the very top of the list? Publishing? Go RA. Impressing others? Any of the degrees would do, but RA carries more clout. Personal enrichment? Go with the least expensive option that captures yiur interest.
     
  13. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Thanks again Pug. I think just having it is most important but having an extra publishing credit it right up there with it. I think WISR could be an exception to the RA concern given the field I'm looking at.

    I have to say- there are a lit of state etc webpages that aren't any better (and may be a whole lot worse) than some of the private schools.
     
  14. flannelberry

    flannelberry New Member

    Also- pugs . They are so funny. I have a friend who is obsessed with them (she had three at one point).
     

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