Distance PhD completable in 3 years from a university w strong ranking?

Hi folks,

I am in the process of selecting a doctoral program. In general, I am hoping for these general parameters:
-Distance learning (some campus visits expected, but mostly online)
-3 year completion timeframe
-Relatively low cost (ideally under $50,000)
-Ranked university (maybe top 100)

My basic challenge is this: Nearly programs from top 100 or so schools that can be completed in 3 years are EdDs. I do not want to take 6-9 years completing a PhD, but top 100 schools all seem to require that for the PhD.

Is there a PhD from a top 100 or so school that has a high completion rate of part-time distance learning at 3 years, and ideally is somewhat affordable?

Thanks, folks!

(I specify the strong university ranking part as I work in higher ed at a top 100 university, and have seen firsthand the bias against hiring of folks with degrees from some for profit or less known schools. Do not intend to insult anyone's degrees - I am sure there are many fine programs and many fine people coming out of them, but I am looking at what I think is best for my own career.)

 

With that tall order of requirements, I don't think you're going to find anything at any US RA school, never mind a top-100 university. If those standards are non-negotiable, your best bet is likely a UK or Australian research doctorate.

What field of study interests you?

 

Dear Nathan

The only extensive research I know about into how long it really takes to get a Ph.D. was done by Richard Moore at Cal State Northridge in the 1980s. My guess is that it is still pretty relevant. Much of his data were published in his excellent book, "Winning the PhD Game" which included charts of timing, by subject matter, at 100 or more major universities. While the average time was in the 5 to 7 year range -- much higher in the sciences -- many schools had a range of three years on up -- and, I think, even less if you come into a program with a good Master's degree.

As you undoubtedly realize, the answer(s) you want will not be easy to come by. Many schools are reluctant to communicate about or commit to matters of timing -- and things can vary by college or department within a given university. Sometimes conditional answers are given. Vanderbilt told my wife "After we see how you do in your first year here, we'll be better able to tell you how long it should take to complete the Ph.D."

I wish I had a simple answer for you. Instead, these two things:
1. There are good reasons that I always included a "Bending the Rules" chapter in Bear's Guide. At the doctoral level especially, a lot of things happen that are rarely if ever put in writing.
2. In most cases, out of "shorter time," "lower cost," and "higher ranking," choose any two.

Best wishes in your quest. Keep us posted.

PS: It was Moore who pointed out that when Theodore Streleski bludgeoned his thesis advisor to death at Stanford. he had been a doctoral candidate for 17 years. Moore suggested (tongue in cheek) that it would be hard to find a true jury of his peers that would convict him.

 

You my wish to consider something other than a PhD. There are professional doctoral degrees (DBA DHSc, DHEd, etc.) that can be done is a few years if you really work hard to accomplish the goal. Good luck in your journey. Dr. Bear's advice is invaluable, and it is always great to see him chime in.

 

You can't predict the length of a doctorate.

Typically, the British PhD takes a minimum of 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time.

Professional doctorates are done part-time and take 4 years and up.

US schools vary, but few traditional unis will allow you to finish in 3 years, even full-time. Some nontraditional schools might, but they don't fit your criteria.

 

King's College

King's College London - PhD Study in the Department of Political Economy

I think they are ranked pretty well.

Oxford University has some DPhil (their version of PhD) that can be done via DL with campus visits

https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/oxfordqualifications/qualificationtypes.php

 

If you have a good publication record, there are some fine universities in the Uk that will consider you for a PhD by Published Works on the strength of your pubs plus typically a 10,000 to 25,000 word document summarizing your research and establishing that it is a genuine contribution to the field.

Some universities willing to consider external applicants are Warwick, Kent, Manchester Metropolitan, Middlesex, Bolton, Sunderland, Brighton, Westminster, Winchester, Stirling. Some of those are very good universities (such as Warwick, about the same reputation as Duke in the U.S.), some very solid (Stirling, Kent, Manchester Met), some are old polytechnics (not highly regarded in the UK, but still legitimate universities).

 

Using the criteria that you've set forth I think the answer is "no." You should be thinking about which of the criteria you're prepared to relax.

 

The OP might also look into one of the three year (or so) DBA programs in the UK, assuming he is interested in business. Heriot-Watt is an excellent university (perhaps equivalent to a flagship state university in the U.S.) that offers an inexpensive DBA at a distance that one ought to be able to complete in three years if they're quite talented. But the OP did not tell us his field, that might narrow matters down a bit.

 

In consulting, we like to say you can have it fast, cheap, or of high quality. You can ask for two of these; third is driven by the other two. You cannot have all three. Perhaps there is a lesson there.

 

Good point, Rich. I've heard the same maxim from old racers: you can make your racing engine fast, reliable, or inexpensive, choose two of three, but never, ever all three.

 

A DL PhD in 3 yrs from a top program is very difficult, if you relax this to 5 yrs it opens more avenues as many DL PhD programs assume part time study..

Also, you'll get more helpful suggestions if you list what topics you're interested in.

Kings College, mentioned already does offer DL PhDs. I've chatted w/ their Political Economy Dept & War Studies Depts before on this very topic. For Political Economy - it's fairly rare to do a DL PhD there, but def possible. If you're interested in War Studies / Int'l Relations, Kings has a top dept that has a very well structured DL PhD.

King's College London - Research degrees by blended distance learning

You may also find the below thread helpful in terms of DL masters and PhDs from Unis w/ strong rankings:
http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/20826-whats-most-prestigious-dl-degree.html

 

At UNISA..for me....when it all said and done..6.8 years.....in history...as Rich would say..YMMV...if you can do it in 3..good luck...

 

Thanks for the info folks. It kind of confirms what I suspected:

Either a PhD but at an unranked school, or an EdD, DBA, etc at a higher ranked school.

Choices, choices.

 

So what is your field?

 

Grenoble DBA

I am currently an ABD (stage2) at Grenoble DBA program.

Doing the DBA in the USA | French Business School | Grenoble Ecole de Management

I have seen a couple of students in my cohort finish their DBA in less than 3 years. Finishing early is rare but possible.

 

That's an awfully good school. If the OP's field is business, that should fit the bill, being AACSB accredited.

There are also some UK universities and other international unis that offer research-only PhDs or equivalent doctorates that could conceivably be completed in three years. Of course, going in this would require previous knowledge of statistics and other research methodologies, because that's what can take a long time to master and in part the reason why a PhD takes so long to earn.

Robert McGee, who posted here about a year ago or so, has something like a dozen doctorates, all from legitimate universities, and received a number of them in less than three years. He is, of course, the functional equivalent of a Guinness World Record Holder (there's no category for most degrees), so his results, being the incredible outlier that he is, should not be expected to be replicated by us mere mortals.

 

As well, Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) is EQUIS and AMBA accredited in addition to AACSB Accreditations | French Business School | Grenoble Ecole de Management. :smokin: