Capella PhD????

After seeing some pretty varied opinions about Capella, I was wondering if some people who hold Capella PhDs could relate the experiences they had using it to gain better employment and some of the positive or negative things about holding a higher degree from that school.

This is partially because I wonder how seriously I should consider entering the program.

Mike MC

 

I have no experience with Capella but there are a couple of people on this board who have and hopefully will post. In fact I think PaulC posted recently because he finished his Ph.D. program. Do a search for Capella.

As for the issue of signing up for the degree that depends on your goals, etc. It is expensive but you will end up with an accredited PhD. Are you likely to become *Full Faculty* at UT Austin or University of Michigan, my uneducated guess would be probably not. That may have to do with the fact that Capella is a distance learning school period but also the fact that faculty positions (non adjunct) are just hard to come by. US News Graduate School Handbook a couple of years ago had a series of articles on the numbers of Ph.D.'s who could not find full time jobs in academia (not Community Colleges which were actually seen as diminishing their chances of ever getting a faculty position). Many were now finding jobs in the business world where the skills they had (analytical/research ability, tenacity, intelligence) were seen as assets.

So, in terms of Capella itself, I have not seen anything negative about the program and it is accredited. If it is what you want and will serve you personally and professionally then go for it.

North

 

Curious ...

How was getting a job in a community college damaging to their efforts in gaining a full time position in academia?

 

CC Job Damaging to Uni Post

It is arrogance of the universities. For instance, I would have no chance at a university teaching job because I have stooped so low as to teach at a community college. GREAT! I could not afford the huge cut in pay and the increase in nonsense I'd get at a university! I also like teaching too much. Let that tidbit get out at a university and it is the kiss of death.

Capella... I'll tell you, if it wasn't so darn expensive I'd do it. For me, it isn't cost effective. But they have a reputation of riding herd on you to make sure you graduate. And they have a juicy-looking program in instructional technology that I find appealing.

It IS cost effective if you place a great emphasis on being called "doctor," you have this burning desire to get a doctorate, or you need an Ed.D./Ph.D. for some kind of career move.

 

Re: CC Job Damaging to Uni Post

One of those frustrating Catch-22 situations....can't get a university teaching job w/o experience, and the only schools willing to hire someone with no experience are usually community colleges.....

As for Capella, it looks very solid and would be ideal for someone (like me) that needs more of a structured program than the design-your-own system of Union & Walden (and I still haven't ruled out Capella altogether). But, THE COST!!!! I asked if it would be possible for a part-time doctoral student to pay per credit hour, and got a flat rejection. Too bad, as they are most likely losing a lot of potential students because of the exorbitant tuition rates.


Bruce

 

Re: Re: CC Job Damaging to Uni Post

The cost is the main reason why I have not considered them any further. (I'm already up to my ears in debt from my Masters ... (another thread ))

 

A doctoral from Argosy is only $28,800 (according to the counselor that I spoke with). How much is one from Capella?

 

It is a case of academic snobbery. In the article one of the Ph.D's stated that she was considered "damaged goods" because she was a Community College instructor. Apparently, compounding that was the fact that the further away you got from having obtained your Ph.D. the less likely were your chances of ever obtaining a University faculty position (non adjunct). One woman was quite happily working in a Starbucks. She figured she made more per hour than working at a CC & grading substandard papers. The job allowed her to write academic papers on womens literature.

The market is just tight and another trend noted by US News was the increasing number of schools doing away with the tenure track in order to bring in adjuncts. One guy (PhD) was adjunct at several schools.

My feeling is get your doctorate because you want it and are interested in the field. If you get a faculty job fine, if not it is not the end of the world.

Incidentally, I personally would not mind teaching at a CC or Bible College. You escape the publish or perish. You don't necessarily escape politics. Our local CC is very political especially with funded postions.

North

 

Mike MC,

It appears that some posters moved in another direction from your original question. You did not specifically relate your interest in obtaining a position or promotion in academia.

What discipline are you thinking of specializing in, in which profession are you currently engaged and what are your thoughts about how a doctorate could potentially assist you in obtaining a promotion?

Perhaps with this information we will be able to assist you more specifically with your future plans.

Simon

 

Actually, the cost of tuition for all Doctoral Programs at Argosy University stands at $26,800.

Highly Recommended!!!

 

There is an Argosy campus in my city, so it is an option. How much does Capella cost?

 

I think Cappela's program is good but one of the reasons I did not join is the tuition. In comparison, Touro University International's Ph.D. cost approx $24,000 (incl. of one year for the dissertation or four BUS70X courses).
Now that I started my dissertation phase I am pretty sure that one year is not enough to complete it. I guess this will increase the cost by another $2000 (or two more sessions).

Eli
Ph.D. candidate, Touro University International

 

I'm teaching at a university in Asia right now and would like to do a PhD in education because, among many things, of the potential it would allow for me to advance and increase my salary. Capella is interesting because they are used to people like me who live far off and also because the program seems to be fairly rapid. Also, they don't require a GRE score. I haven't had to take the test yet and my lackluster mathmatical ability makes me think I wouldn't be all too pleased with the results of that part of the exam. As many who have responded to the post point out, Capella does have a pretty huge tuition (estimated at $32-34,000 by a school representative that e-mailed me. Ouch!)

Though the economy is OK here at the moment and living overseas is enjoyable for me, it's realistic to want to know how the degree will be percieved in the workplace should I come back to the US. Teaching is something I like, but it sounds like a position at many universities, especially in the field of education, would be difficult to get.

Mike Mc

 

Mike Mc,

A doctorate in education from Capella would be quite expensive especially if it takes three years or more to complete. When you add on the cost for two weeks of required residencies as well as three brief required seminars including transportation, hotels and food, it can be costly.

If one were able to complete the degree in two years the cost savings would be significant. Currently, tuition is approximately $1,100 per month. To accomplish this goal would require the student to be able to have a clear idea of their doctoral topic from the start and to possibly gear the course work towards the dissertation. Otherwise it will take at least a year longer to complete.

In terms of the value of a doctorate in education with the goal of teaching in academia, one will most probably encounter extreme competition from graduates from traditional universities. This will be a difficicult challenge. Many individuals who obtain this degree are already employed at a university in the states in a teaching position and are utilizing this degree to enhance their promotional oportunities. Of course there are others who work for organizaitions, including the government, who employ this degree in that realm.

The bottomline is that Ph.Ds in many disciplines are saturating the job market and competition will be stiff. Your experience teaching in Asia may be an asset in addition to a doctorate in education especially if you can speak a foreign language. However, one cannot bet on a doctorate opening doors of opportunity as it once did.

There are other areas in which a doctorate in education can be utilized. I would suggest that you speak with the career department at Capella or at some other schools, or even privately, to determine in what other fields of employment a doctorate in Education can be utilized.

P.S. One of the posters PaulC recently graudated with this degree from Capella. Perhaps he can provide you with additional information that will be of assistance.

Best of luck.

 

Where abouts in Asia do you currently reside? (Just curious)

Keep in mind that the residency requirements (however short) of Capella will require you to travel to the USA. (As far as I know.) I travel to Asia about twice a year and I know it ain't cheap. (Just something to think about.)

 

Thanks for the info.

I live in Seoul and probably will be here for the next 5-10 years. Like many of the folks on this forum, I'm trying to find a balance in a PhD program of utility, economy, and acceptibility. Boy that's a tough criteria. Capella and similar US distance programs are real expensive, Nebraska requires a GRE score, South African programs aren't very highly regarded here in Asia and research based Australian programs lack structure that I feel would be necessary for me.

Is the development of a neurosis necessary before deciding to commit to a PhD at a specific university ?


Mike Mc

 

Yes, in the U.S. at least. A few years ago, a friend finishing his doctorate in education at the U of Iowa was incredibly frustrated with the job search. Seemed as if there were 200 or so applicants for any open position. University-level teaching experience might be some advantage.

Nah, but it might help. If you don't have a neurosis before you begin a PhD, one will be supplied during the program.

(You do know the difference between psychosis and neurosis, don't you? If you're psychotic, you believe that 2+2=5. If you're neurotic, you know that 2+2=4 ... but it bothers you.)

 

That's the boat I'm in. I'm finding that the US schools are too expensive (especially with my current student loan debt load.) I'd prefer NOT to attend a US unaccredited school, I'm met by continual skepticism by ANYONE in Academia or HR about South African degrees (even if it's unjustified), and I'm concerned about the lack of structure in Australian degrees.

That said: I've finally made contact with an Aussie school who's sending me some information to look over.

Is this lack of structure an unjustified concern?

 

# of Applicants

I am currently on a faculty hiring committee at my community college. We are sifting through 338 applications for one faculty position!!! We are looking for a "good fit." We don't want to hire a mistake that will upset our department. That's the biggest thing. If somebody who is a jerk gets a doctorate, they are now a jerk with a doctorate. "Jerkness" matters at the community college level. Given my experience at the university level with several schools, I don't think that is even an afterthought. It does matter with me and it does with my committee. Almost all of the applicants I've seen can teach. Almost all of them have the academic background we're looking for. So, it comes down to fit.

I think the competition will always be rough unless you are a specialist in a suddenly hot topic (an expert in cave geology of Afghanistan and a Arabic/Pushtan/Farsi linguist will probably find employment).

I'm still trying to figure out how I got the job I have!