Online Ph.D.s and Residencies

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by PuppyMama, Feb 27, 2016.

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  1. PuppyMama

    PuppyMama New Member

    Hello, me again!

    So when I initially began investigating GCU's Ph.D. in psychology 1.5 years ago, residencies were available but not required. Now that I am revisiting the idea, I am seeing that this might have changed because when I view the degree requirements/course schedule, it looks like there are 2 required in-person residencies.

    The reason I am looking at online degrees is that I do not have the option to attend in-person. It would be ideal if I could, but I can't. I am mostly wanting to earn a Ph.D. for personal development reasons and therefore am not expecting a Harvard-level education. Sure, if I would have realized that I wanted this when I was younger, I would have gone the traditional route but again, that just isn't an option for me anymore.

    I have not considered any other school and I feel like, if residencies are indeed required at GCU, I now have to begin at square one. I found a very old thread here talking about residency-free Ph.D. programs but clearly things have changed since then. From experience, would anyone here recommend a particular school that has Ph.D. programs but does not require in-person residencies? I think I might be asking for too much. These are some of the things that initially appealed to me about GCU:

    -No GRE (I don't think I have the heart to re-take since it has been more than 5 years)
    -Regional accreditation
    -No group projects
    -Reasonably priced
    -No required residencies (which seems to have changed)
    -Decent reputation, from what I have been able to gather

    Any feedback you might be able to give would be very appreciated!
     
  2. PuppyMama

    PuppyMama New Member

    P.S. I am not asking anyone to do my homework for me, I am just asking if you might be aware of any programs off the tops of your heads. I don't want to be more of a pain than I already have been lately!
     
  3. FJD

    FJD Member

    Yes, GCU's PhD now has two required residencies. I began the program before this requirement was instituted, so I was able to avoid it. The lack of residency was a big selling point for me at the time I enrolled. If you're looking for a psychology-related doctorate without residency, and you want it from a non-profit uni (and I know you do!), the only one that comes to mind is Touro University Worldwide's PsyD in Human & Organizational Psychology. It's a little more than GCU, but not too much (I think about $42K - 700/credit X60?). Organizational Psychology Graduate Program Online | TUW

    There might be some others, but I doubt too many. Good luck.
     
  4. PuppyMama

    PuppyMama New Member

    You have always been so nice to help me out. Thank you so much! At this point, I'm actually fine with a for-profit as long as I know they aren't going to do anything shady, which is why I've asked a ridiculous number of questions. It's too bad GCU started requiring the residencies. I do think they're worthwhile, it's just that if you can't be there, you can't be there. Oh well. *sigh.*

    Thank you again!
     
  5. High_Order1

    High_Order1 New Member

    Touro

    I'm glad you mentioned that.


    I was researching an individual who claimed a diploma from there. When I did a light googling of them, all I found was exceptionally negative reviews of the school. This was a year ago, maybe things have changed.

    One more keyword to research here, thanks!! :thinkerg:
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Consider challenging your thinking regarding residencies. They're not hassles; they're extremely valuable for DL doctoral students. They were the best part of my Union PhD. And while they weren't mandatory for my DSocSci at Leicester, I attended several voluntarily. (And flying and staying in the UK ain't cheap.)

    Yes, I believe you can do a legitimate doctorate nonresidentially, but it is harder, less rewarding, and carries with it a higher potential for failure.
     

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