PhD by Research/thesis/dissertation Only

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by guyfawkes, Nov 25, 2016.

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  1. guyfawkes

    guyfawkes Member

    I was wondering if anyone were familiar with any regionally accredited (American, Canadian, or other) PhD programs that are by research/thesis/dissertation only (meaning that there is no coursework)? I couldn't find any RA schools other than Jones International University, which is now closed.
    If not, does anyone have any recommendations for an overseas school (usually British, Australian, or South African for this type of PhD) with no residency requirement? I'd appreciate any input.
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You'll not find any research/dissertation-only doctoral programs at US schools. As you've stated, that's the commonwealth model, not the US model. The countries you've mentioned are the place to look. As for specific recommendations, that will depend on your area of research and your budget.
     
  3. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I completed the DBA program at the University of Southern Queensland. The program is mainly dissertation only if you have enough course work in the related area of specialization. The school also has the PhD program. Bother programs can be completed off campus or in residential format. Residential format is not a bad option as you normally are offered stipends as lecturer if you decide to go this way so you could do some residential and some off campus or completely off campus.

    The program is good but it is normally completed in 5 to 6 years. There are other programs that can be completed in shorter times in the UK such as the one from the University of Livepool that is AACSB accredited.

    You will find that DBA programs are a better fit if you are interested in applied research that allows you to use your work environment as a the main source of your research while the PhD programs require normally theoretical research that is more suitable for people working in an academic environment.
    However, if you are interested in an academic job, normally PhDs are preferred.
     
  4. guyfawkes

    guyfawkes Member

    Is an AACSB accreditation comparable to being regionally accredited in the U.S.?
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    It is normally considered to superior to RA accreditation.
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    RA and AACSB are different types of accreditation. RA is institutional - applies to the whole school, eligibility for federal aid, etc. AACSB is programmatic - applies to the school's business programs only.
    In the US, AACSB requires that a school be RA before it will even look at accrediting the business programs. No NA's need apply.

    From a US business course standpoint - yes, RA + AACSB will be better-recognized than RA alone. But as I said, in the U.S., AACSB accreditation can't happen without RA. Other countries? AACSB insists on sufficient degree-granting status in the school's own country - and they (AACSB) determine what is - and what isn't. And in some countries, (notably Germany) a business Doctorate doesn't count as one - from any school - unless it has the AACSB imprimatur.

    Just pointing out they're 2 different kinds of accreditation. But superior business degree - yes. And superior recognition of that degree, yes, for sure.

    J
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2016
  7. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    After earning the BA & MA, I completed a professional doctorate (on campus, RA, ATS) here in the states, which was a combination of coursework and dissertation. I then completed a research PhD (dissertation only, no coursework) via a South African institution. Upon completion, the transcript was submitted to IERF and AACRAO for evaluation. Both evaluators deemed the SA PhD to be equivalent in level and purpose, and with sufficient depth, to the Doctor of Philosophy awarded by regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States. Hope this is helpful.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2016
  8. Pugbelly2

    Pugbelly2 Member

    I wonder how the Indian schools like Assam Don Brosco and Pragyan International University would do in the same type of evaluation.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Don Bosco Global has a good rep. but doesn't teach doctoral programs. See for yourself. Don Bosco Global | DBU Global

    Pragyan - who knows? The school seems to concentrate on degrees in yoga, spiritual studies and alternative medicine. Some of those degrees are in fields hard-to-handle for many US accreditors /evaluators.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2016
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    If a Pragyan degree does work, you're looking at a 3-year doctorate costing a total of $3,300. Plus a trip to India for your viva voce. Wow! But if it doesn't, you've lost three years of your time. Money can be replaced, but...

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2016
  11. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Looked into it a bit more. I'd pass on Pragyan at this point.

    (1) It's a brand-new school, opened in 2016. What do we really know so far?

    (2) Among his degrees, the Chancellor has this one: "He obtained a M.D. in traditional & Alternative Medicine from the Open International University, Colombo..." OIUCM is known in some quarters as one of the world's biggest degree mills. OIUCM also issues Knighthoods - and the chancellor has one of those, too. And I believe Medicina Alternativa, Kazakhstan, from which school the Chancellor has a Ph.D., is also closely allied with OIUCM.

    Here's something on the Chancellor: PRAGYAN WORLD FOUNDATION - Members
    Here's something on OUICM, where the Chancellor earned an MD. (Alternative Medicine) https://degrees4sale.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/asian-degree-mills-since-1960s/

    How would Pragyan do? Well, if a layman like me can find stuff like this in ten minutes, I suggest you make up your own mind, as to what professionals could dig up.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2016
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Just noticed - Part 2 of the OIUCM writeup deals with IBAM - (Indian Board of Alternative Medicine) Another school, regarded as unwonderful, well-known to our pages, established years ago by the Pragyan Chancellor himself. Holy Moly! Quite a read! :shock:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 29, 2016
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hey, I want one of those! What do I become a knight of, exactly?
     
  14. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I know the person under discussion has been made a Knight of Malta by the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Whether he was awarded that particular honour via OIUCM or some other authority, I don't know. I do know that OIUCM is instrumental in conferring such knighthoods. Here's a page on the awards, by the Grandmaster & Secretary General, Medicina Alternativa-OIUCM.

    Knighthoods | OIUCMED

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 30, 2016
  15. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hmmm. Smells like Templars to me.
     
  16. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Pragyan International University is accredited by the University Grants Commission in India. This should be enough to make it equivalent to a US RA but there are always exceptions.

    One of these exceptions is Empresarial University of Costa Rica that although is included in the UNESCO book of Universities and is licensed by the Government of Costa Rica, WES USA (Naces credential evaluator) would refuse to evaluate it as equivalent to a RA degree (I checked this on their web site).

    Empresarial University seems to be selling degrees world wide for a fee so although they are licensed, WES seems to know about this.
     
  17. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Actually, I did a bit of research in these both schools. OIUCM and IBAM degrees can be used in Canada to practice Alternative Medicine in Ontario and other provinces. It seems that in Canada, few schools offer training in AM that lead to degrees from these schools.

    I emailed OIUCM and challenged them about the issue of degree selling, they claim that the degrees sold are fake as their degrees are not purchased but earned. OIUCM is not accredited by UGC in Sri Lanka but I received a letter mentioning that the government does not accredit them because they are private but it supports their teachings. They do have a large campus with a real clinic that has been operating for more than 50 years, it is not a basement operation printing degrees as many people suggest in this web site.

    However, I wouldn't recommend OIUCM or IBAM for those seeking an academic PhD that can be used for teaching or professional industrial careers. It could be an option for those looking for a degree in Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Yoga, etc.
     
  18. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    The IBAM PhD is $2K and not accredited, Pragyan seems to be a better deal for an accredited school.
    However, the school is too new to be trusted. They could lose their license in the 3 to 4 years that you need to graduate.

    Empresarial in Costa Rica is offering PhDs and DBAs through international partners for about 5K but they seem to have burnt their reputation as WES does not longer recognize them for RA equivalence purposes.

    I know many people in this site are always looking for cheap doctorates but cheap comes with risk.

    I would do a Pragyan degree only for the areas where the accreditation is a plus but not a must such as AM, Interfaith Studies, Spirituality, etc.
     
  19. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    You also have to be careful when reading unregulated blog sites. You need to do your own research to find the facts. For example, If I were to look for Capella, there are plenty sites that bash the school as the one below but yet we know Capella is not a scam:

    https://yeswesam.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/your-college-a-capella-group-sucks/

    I did some research about OIUCM and here some fact that I found:
    -Recognized to practice AM in Canada in many provinces
    -A network of multiple branches that spans all over the world
    -Has a real campus with a real clinic that has been operating for more than 50 years
    -Not recognized by the UGC in Sri Lanka but not included in the list of fake schools in UGC India as the blog that you referenced suggests


    My conclusion is that the school does not seem to be a mill as they do have a clinic that teaches courses and when I enquired about their PhD program, I was sent information that suggested that I would need to prepare a dissertation and defend it, I was never offered to purchase the degree for a fee or offered the degree for experience by sending a resume like many of the degree mills do.

    I am not here to defend the school but just to share the evidence that I found as someone that was interested in earning an AM degree that would allow me to practice without investing a large amount of money.

    There are, however, many media articles that talk about this school selling degrees mainly honorary degrees for cash.
     
  20. tadj

    tadj Active Member

    I am not sure whether a student is getting a better deal with a 100% online mode degree from a university in India (That's the mode which most foreign students opt for). These degrees don't seem to have any validity in the country, at least according to the sources that I've read;

    Beware! That online degree may not be valid in India | india | Hindustan Times

    In other words, if you want to study for 3 years in order to get an invalid degree (possibly illegal and at risk for future investigation by local authorities) from a recognized university in India, you're welcome to do so. Some Indian universities are willing to deliver such credentials through alternative and unauthorized pathways. However, I don't believe that's what most bargain foreign degree hunters desire to obtain.
     

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