phd programs without dissertation/thesis?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Futuredegree, Feb 26, 2015.

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  1. Futuredegree

    Futuredegree Well-Known Member

    Hey I am finishing up my masters degree in criminal justice this fall. I was wondering if there was any phd programs without dissertation or thesis?
     
  2. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    No. A PhD is a research degree that contributes new information and thought to the existing body of work. That can't happen without a dissertation.
     
  3. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    There are doctoral programs, not PhD, that have applied research projects instead of dissertations.
     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    A PhD IS a dissertation. The dissertation is what makes it a PhD.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    There should be prizes for people who ask this question.
     
  6. major56

    major56 Active Member

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    Huh, someone asked a question you think is silly. I guess responding with sarcasm and insulting the poster is one way to go. I'll bet that will attract all kinds of new users, too!

    Even at the Masters level, you simply cannot teach class.
     
  8. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    In certain cases yes it can.

    My former daughter-in-law obtained her PhD in Ocean Science from UCSC
    using a compilation of papers she had written during her program. The compilation was a long and arduous task.

    From UCSC web site Ocean Sciences Ph.D. Degree Program
    The thesis may be a conventional dissertation or a compilation of published or to-be-published papers, as long as its format and content meet with the approval of the Dissertation Reading Committee and conform to the University submission guidelines.
     
  9. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    These types of responses are all too common here. I don't think the question was dumb at all. Sure, the OP might be confused about the purpose of a PhD, but this would be the chance to steer the OP to other doctoral programs that have an applied or creative project instead of a dissertation. With that said, the OP might have found some answers by searching the forum. I might have started a thread on this topic listing a few doctoral programs; I know I did on the other forum.
     
  10. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    This is a case of never say never. There are so many degree programs out there, it is impossible to know what each one entails. I've come across some very unconventional programs.
     
  11. novadar

    novadar Member

    Yes Sanantone, definitely never say never. I am quite pleased so see Ian's example of a US institution allowing this. I am quite enamored with the UK's (and Australia/New Zealand) approach to Doctorates, even PhDs. I think PhDs by Research / Thesis-only make tremendous sense. I find programs such as this at the University of Bolton to be be simply fascinating. Of course, US academic's would scoff at such alternatives but there really is no reason to.

    This programme is designed for those whose work involves them in innovative and advanced professional or creative practice and enables them to receive academic credit for that work, assuming it is at doctoral level.

    Doctor of Philosophy by Practice - Route A part-time
     
  12. novadar

    novadar Member

    This one is the option to create the portfolio while enrolled, not before:

    Route B is for those who have yet to develop their practice to an appropriate level.

    In Route B you will be assisted, by the academic supervisors, in the creation and submission of a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates your professional or creative practice. You will prepare and submit a 10–15,000-word critical commentary which contextualises, analyses and makes the case for your portfolio of evidence to be considered as an original and independent contribution to knowledge and, therefore, to justify the award of a PhD.

    Doctor of Philosophy by Practice - Route B part-time
     
  13. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    Wow - I attended this institution (University of Bolton) when it was Bolton Technical College and I received my first engineering credential (later accepted by Regents (Excelsior) towards my BS). I am no longer interested in obtaining a PhD.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2015
  14. novadar

    novadar Member

    What an interesting full-circle (kinda) Ian!

    Bolton is not the only one with this type of PhD, Manchester Metropolitan and Univ of Birmingham are two others.
     

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