Hi Everyone! I know I haven't posted in a while, but I have been quite busy this semester with my doctoral research courses and such. However, I am in need of some "expert advice" that relates to one of my old threads below: http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10344 Since writing this post, the doctoral committee has had a number of meetings regarding the conversion process. At a recent doctoral meeting, the new faculty who are PhD's ( and possibly hired to assist in this changeover) discussed the programs they graduated from. As per a friend that attended the meeting The general feeling at this meeting was that the DSW is inadequate when compared to the PhD. Some felt that it was not appropriate for a DSW to be grandfathered into a PhD, since the degrees are miles apart in terms of accomplishment. One professor (longstanding with the faculty) was exceptionally verbal on this point. It appears that the majority of the committee is not invested in giving the current students an opportunity to switch to the PhD. It became clear to some of the doctoral students that attended (I was not at this meeting) that the PhD is a tool to attract fresh blood and fresh money and that the faculty is a political hotbed. Some are vocal about the comversion/grandfathering in and some are "old dogs that can't learn new tricks". Needless to say, myself and many of my classmates are distressed over this issue, and are not sure how to proceed with it without damaging our possible future at the school. There is another meeting in two weeks again on this matter. Any words of advice would be appreciated.
My advice: take the shortest path to your degree. If they'll convert your program into a Ph.D., fine. If not, but they'll grandfather you (based on the curriculum in place when you were admitted), fine. They're obligated to do that. If they put you in a "new and improved" Ph.D., but require more work--and, therefore, more time--then get a lawyer. Or at least complain as long, high, and loud as you can. They should at least graduate those DSW students that are in the "pipline." If given the option of taking more courses and/or re-submitting a dissertation proposal for the Ph.D., or remaining in the DSW track, you'll have to weigh the benefits of having a Ph.D. over the DSW with the extra time, work, and expense involved. Again, my advice is to take the shortest path to the doctorate.
As I indicated before, I was not of the opinion that the PhD and the DSW were that different. Has anyone indicated specifically what the difference is? In any case, I suggest that you do what all good Social Workers do . . . network and mobilize. Get your classmates together and all go to the next meeting. Bring a signed petition stating your interests, etc. If it's important to you then you need to act like it's important. Otherwise, as Rich stated, get your degree and get out fast. Good luck, Jack
I would echo Rich's statement...take the shortest route to the doc. The program I graduated from now offers the choice of Ed.D. or Ph.D., yet there is almost no difference. There was an argument that a Ph.D. was needed to add credibility. That is interesting, since most of us with the Ed.D. chose it because it was an Ed.D. and have been very successful. I think you can have control of your future regardless of the the type of doc. If you want in academia and you publish and research, even with a DSW there will be opportunities. If you get a Ph.D. and do not publish or do research, it will be difficult to get academic postions. Your own credibility goes a long way in establishing the value of the doc. Go the shortest route (accredited).
Thank you all for your advice. Rich, you are right - I should take the shortest path to my degree. However, I will try and get together with the rest of my classmates and bring up the points stated. Thanks again!
