International Doctorate Question

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Scorpio198, Jan 15, 2003.

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  1. Scorpio198

    Scorpio198 New Member

    I get asked this question a number of times and was recently looking at threads for a friend but I thought I would find out from other DL learners. Are there possibly any foreign DL Doctorate programs (DBA, PhD research, D Mgt., or DComm.) that are relatively self paced, quality, and fairly supportive to not be enormously difficult. She doesn't mind doing the work but doesn't want deep analytical coursework. She phrased it as would like to get a doctorate but not sweat out the US process I guess. Any thoughts?Thanks
     
  2. telfax

    telfax New Member

    Typical!

    This is a 'typical' trned in higher education - that is, people wanting to be 'doctor' without the effort, sweat and toil that goes with earning the title. If someone is not prepared to put in the time and vigour then s/he shouldn't even contemplate a doctoral programme. It is all about wrestling with concepts, ideas and moving those things on not just more master's degree level course work. Getting a doctorate is about demonstrating to the academic community that you've acquired the skills and knowledge to conduct research. If this is not what someone wishes to do then do something else - climb Mount Everest, go paragliding...whatever. Struggle in some other meaningful way.

    I'm not suggesting that doctoral programmes are not open for revision and so forth but the basics must remain for a doctorate to be worth anything. If we donlt potect the doctorate we'll end up creating a new degree, something like the SD after a PhD or DBA, EdD, etc. What is an SD? 'Super Doc'!!

    'telfax'
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Buying a fake degree from a diploma mill seems to work for a lot of people. So does taking one from an inferior, unrecognized school willing to accept lazy students who do sub-standard work.

    Yeah, those might work.
     
  4. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    Scorpio198,
    There's no such thing as a free lunch. I completed a 270 page dissertation last year. Belive me, it was an enormous amount of effort and SWEAT. I would have to agree with Rich and telfax, if your friend just wants the title of "doctor", then a diploma mill will do. If she is wants to develop solid research/analytical skills, then have her apply to a European/Australian DL university. Don't forget to tell your friend that she will have to sacrifice her social life and most of her week ends for the next five years!
     
  5. Denver

    Denver Member

    The question your friend seems to be asking is if it is possible to structure a doctorial program to meet individual needs. I do not think there are any accredited programs that allow this, but a research doctorate does give you more freedom than a traditional program. I am enrolled in the part-time DBA program at ESC Grenoble and have found that it meets my needs for a flexible schedule. . Before I picked this program, I considered numerous distance, part-time and evening programs in the US, EU, South Africa and Australia. My profession is seasonal – I am a political consultant – so I wanted a program that was self paced where I could devote many hours when I didn’t have a campaign and few when I did. This January I completed my first year of the three-year program and I am very satisfied with the school and my progress.
     
  6. triggersoft

    triggersoft New Member

    a DBA from a french ecole superieur?

    sounds interesting.

    pretty new approach for continental-european schools to award a DBA.

    does it include coursework?

    how´s the pricing?

    don´t you mind that it´s not from a "university" called institution?

    greets,

    trigger
     
  7. obecve

    obecve New Member

    It seems to me if you want the title, you should "sweat out the effort" or it has little meaning!
     
  8. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    Yes, I agree. A research doctorate does allow greater flexibility. Just remember that your supervisory committee will be constantly "looking over your shoulder". They will expect you to produce a certain amount of work each year in order to remain in the program. If you can impress your committee by providing them with an excellent proposal, an exceptional review of literature and a solid first chapter (or first draft), you will then be in a position to set the pace for the duration of your program.
     
  9. Scorpio198

    Scorpio198 New Member

    I agree!

    I wanted to state I agree with my fellow learners about working through the "Rites of Passage" in the study for a Ph.D. Believe me, I am struggling and toiling through my first year with much sweat. I stressed to my collegue that there is no free lunch and even though I posted her comments, that it is important to prepare for an ardious process to complete this degree. My thoughts include the analogy that maybe the mountains get larger as you complete each one. Such as life in attaining academic excellence. I try to keep these thoughts to allow me to continue my confidence in completing my Ph.D. Thanks for letting me ramble about my stress!
     

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