What's more useful: EdS from Valdosta or an EdD from Aspen?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by SurfDoctor, Jul 28, 2010.

Loading...
  1. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    As Randell predicted, I haven't lasted a week not having a degree to work on! Already I'm weighing things again to get started with something else. I love to hear everyone's opinions on things I'm considering. What a blessing this board is!

    What do you think would be more useful for me as person currently teaching technology, with an Master's in Ed Tech and a few years of experience teaching tech at a Jr. high? Would an EdS (it's not a doctorate, but it's above a master's) from Valdosta State, an RA B&M, serve me better than an EdD (doctorate) from Aspen, a DETC school? I suspect a DETC degree would not open many doors to teach at the college level.

    I would like to adjunct part-time while I continue working at the school I'm currently at. I love what I do and have no intentions of doing anything more than part-time adjunct work. I'm thinking that the EdS, being B&M, would facilitate my goals better. Opinions? The bummer is, with the EdS, I don't get the vanity of calling myself doctor. I'll admit it, that has some value to me!
     
  2. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    Vanity can be a cruel thing, at least you cop to yours.

    Here we go.

    RA > NA. End of thread, and you are welcome.
     
  3. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    The utility of a DETC doctorate is a bit of a mystery to me so I have to go with the EdS from Valdosta.
     
  4. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    This sounds like an axiom: "RA > NA". Maybe even a mathematical rule. :)
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Well I'm going back to the original premise. Is there any reason for you to believe that either of these degrees will get you an adjunct position? I'm thinking that the answer is no. With the job market the way it is, everybody on God's green earth is trying to pull in a few extra bucks. My contacts tell me that there's competition between RA PhDs for adjunct jobs. Check your premise Michael. You could earn that EdS and still not get that adjunct job.
     
  6. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    Will you get a raise with a DETC degree at the school you work?
    Can you still teach college part time with a masters?
    Do you want me and all of you students to call you Dr.?

    If you answered yes to the above questions, then go with Aspen, NA vs RA does not really matter in this case.
     
  7. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    See, that's why I'm glad I can bounce ideas off of you. That's what I have come to believe, as well. The one job that had over 100 applicants is what started moving my thinking in that direction.
     
  8. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Yes, you will have to call me Dr. (and no derogatory versions of that allowed) :)
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    As opposed to now, when we should call you "Master"? ;)

    -=Steve=-
     
  10. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

  11. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    Master Diver
     
  12. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I would say that I have noticed a rather consistent theme in your posts and that is a desire to earn an accredited doctorate. It sounds like it is a life goal, on your bucket list, etc. If this is the case, why waste the time, energy and money doing anything but working towards that goal. As I mentioned on another thread, if the doctoral bug has bitten you then you will not find peace until you complete your doctorate. There will always be this nagging feeling or sense of falling short of the mark until you do it and are Michael Oliver, EdD.

    Plus if the EdD from Aspen will also get you a pay increase that is just another reason to earn the degree. If you wanted to teach at a CC part time, all you need at the Community College level (minimum qualification) is a Masters and the EdD will be just icing on the cake.

    Based on what you have said, I would find a doctoral program that fits your needs, and commit to completing it one step at a time (don't look too far down the road or it seems impossible, too long and so on). Focus on each class and eventually you will be "Dr."
     
  13. not4profit

    not4profit Active Member

    Liberty University has an online program (with 3 residencies), and I BELIEVE there is an EdS on the way to the EdD. Actually, I believe you would just do the EdS, and then the subsequent EdD would only be 30 more SH built off the work you just did for the EdS. That way, if you decide to opt out, you will have the EdS still. It is RA and Bricks and Mortar. However, it is a Christian school (if that bothers you).
     
  14. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hmmm, Master? Yea, I'm good with that.
     
  15. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I think you have me nailed. It's more of a life accomplishment than anything else for me.
     
  16. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Bothers me? No, I love it. I'll look into Liberty too. Thanks!
     
  17. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    He's been watching all those "I Dream of Jeannie" re-runs. ;)
     
  18. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    LOL! Good one!
     
  19. racechick8293

    racechick8293 New Member

    Tuition only costs based on the programs mentioned, and another I'm throwing in for comparison:

    Aspen EdD = $7800
    Valdosta EdS = $10,395
    Northeastern EdD = $21,690

    For me personally, the EdS was not a degree I considered. I also wanted the title of Dr., among other considerations.

    While I know that cost is a significant factor in your decision, I'm a believer in the fact that (rightly or wrongly) in academia, you WILL be viewed at least to a degree on the university where you complete your terminal degree, along with that university's overall reputation and accreditation. Being that a number of your posts on this topic mention teaching in higher education, I would recommend against the Aspen EdD. The possibility of teaching with a DETC doctorate just seems slim to me. I would venture that your publishing opportunities in the more highly regarded journals could also be limited.

    I listed Northeastern's EdD, because for the bang for the buck, I believe it's one of the best EdD programs out there. The reputation of the university is great, and the cost is less than half of what my EdD from Nova cost. I believe that Northeastern is ranked about #80 in universities nationwide, and that it's also a tier 1 university. Their EdD program looks to be 45 credits, compared to 27 for the EdS and 60 for the EdD at Aspen.

    All in all, my choice would be to go for Northeastern's EdD, or a very similar program. It seems to be win-win. You would get the title of Dr. (and from a quite well-regarded university). You would get the raise at your current school, and also be able to adjunct in higher education, most likely with some "good" schools, particularly ones in the Northeast where there would be positive name recognition for Northeastern. 2 of the 3 universities I teach at are in the Northeast, and the salaries are significantly higher than at schools based in other parts of the country where I'm aware of typical adjunct salaries. It's highly possible to $3000-4000 for teaching an undergrad course at certain colleges, and at that rate, you could pay the difference in tuition between the Aspen EdD and the Northeastern (or similar) EdD in less than a year. Many reputable colleges will also hire you as an adjunct once you have a good part of your EdD program completed. For me, I started applying for adjuncting jobs when I was nearly completed with doctoral coursework, and was hired at 2 colleges within about 9 months. Granted, I had applied to about 40-50 colleges, but 6-9 months seems to be fairly typical from time of application to obtaining online adjunct positions. Anyway, ROI-wise, IMHO, Northeastern's EdD is one of the best programs out there.

    Just my 2 cents... :)
     
  20. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    And a very good 2 cents it is. I'm totally with you on that. The big problem for me is the fact that there are hundreds of people going for each adjunct job these days, some are not qualified, but an increasing number are highly qualified. I don't think it's likely a newbie, such as myself, will stand much of a chance. If I am wrong about that, I would be very interested in Northeastern.
     

Share This Page