I'm ABD and want the doctorate

I'm ABD from two doctoral programs- both fully accredited. My dissertation chairman was not tenured in the first one and my advisor and dissertation chair couldn't agree on my topic in the second. I'm a full professor in my field (psychology)- with publications. Does anyone know an accredited university that will transfer in all my work and not put me through a lot of hoops and expense to get a degree?

 

Many schools outside the USA offer doctoral degrees by dissertation only. Some are more receptive than others to distance learning. Try universities in Great Britain, South Africa, and Australia.

I'm not very familiar with psychology programs, so I can't offer much in the way of specifics. Since I'm looking into a different program at the University of South Africa
(http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=3323),
I know that they offer both the Ph.D. and D. Litt et Phil degrees in psychology.

Good luck with your search for the right school!

Alex

 

I agree with Alex. If you do not want to go back through the course work again a foreign PhD will be one of your best bets. Australia/South Africa & Great B. follow the format of a research only doctorate (large dissertation no coursework).

There are some bargains to be had in Australia & South Africa. They can sometimes be done without any residency.

I can give you the example of UNIZUL (University of Zululand). You can earn a doctorate for less than 2000 US dollars for the entire program. I do not know whether they have a Psych faculty. I was working on a doctorate (DTh) in Practical Theology (Christian Counseling). South Africa has a very good education system and some universties with world class reputations (eg University of Pretoria).

Good luck.

North

 

Word is that UZ will likely lose its doctoral programmes (except theology) when it becomes a "comprehensive institution." Other than that, the advice from Alex and North is right on the money. Contact the psych department/faculty at any SA or Oz uni which interests you; see if they will "bite" on your topic. Get specific assurances on required in-person time, if any. SA unis are much cheaper, but either country is a good deal. Good luck to you.

 

I recently spoke to a program chair from a US university that is working on a doctoral completion program for ABDs. He told me that he was having difficulty convincing administration that there would be a market for it. I told him that I thought that there would be a significant market.

Tony Piña
(Currently ABD, but working on dissertation at La Sierra University)

 

ABD Psychology

Saybrook Institute has a doctoral completion program for ABD students in psychology. I believe it requires 2-3 week long seminars per year:
http://www.saybrook.edu/prospective_students/academic_programs/spec_doc_prog.html

 

Re: ABD Psychology

Thank you for this info. I have forwarded it to my friend. Perhaps it will provide the "ammunition" that he needs to convince the skeptics in his institution. It's amazing what a little competition can do.

Tony Piña
CSU San Bernardino

 

Anyone know how well Saybrook degrees are accepted in academia?

thanks,

-S

 

In my experience on hiring boards in colleges, a Saybrook degree would be treated as any regionally accredited degree.

Tony Piña
CSU San Bernardino

 

Yes, but I'm referring about the discrimination with dl degrees in academia. Saybrook is a dl institute, but was founded (I believe) by psychology pioneers and I would assume that a Saybrook doctorate would be well respected by academics compared to other dl degrees. What do you think?

Thanks

-S

 

Saybrook is one of several institutions that has taken a non-traditional approach to instruction. Vermont, Goddard, Union (Institute), Nova Southeastern and others have been doing unique types of programs for many years (and successfully).

Is there prejudice against DL degrees among many academics, sure there is. However, many people are coming to grips with the fact that if you get a masters degree in humanities from Cal State Dominguez Hills or in engineering from Stanford, there may be no way to tell if it was "resident" or via distance learning.

Can people with doctorates from Saybrook who also have relevant experience and scholarship in their field get jobs in academia? Sure they can.

Will some deans or department chairs harbor a prejudice against institutions that offer DL degrees? Sure.

Will some dislike Saybrook because it seems like a "hippy school"? Sure.

Will others say, "Saybrook? Never heard of it. Is it RA? Well, if its RA then its OK"? Sure.

Will others say "Bela Banathy, probably the world's leading authority on systems theory is at Saybrook. They must have a top level program!" Sure.

Tony Piña
Faculty, CSU San Bernardino

 

How Many Are ABD?

Hello,

How many forum members on here are ABD and who might self-identify as such publicly? Perhaps a sufficient number of ABDs on this group could constitute a co-hort for a prospective college or university that might want to try out a doctoral finishing prgram. I might be interested in putting my EdS up as ABD towards something more.

Kenneth K. A.