Can I get a teaching job with an online doctoral degree?

I have seen quite a few graduates from the University of Southern Queensland teaching at Universities in Canada and the US. It is hard to tell if these individuals finished their degree by DL or traditional but both are working as full time tenure track faculty members.

http://www.nursing.ualberta.ca/homepage.nsf/all/9ACAC0251D6EC32687256F130012CBAC
http://www.harding.edu/business/ReetCronk.html

 

Doesn't this reflect the obvious: B&M faculty depend on the B&M institution for their bread-and-butter. Someone comming from an alternative path, inter alia, represents a new paradigm-- which, if successful, would undermine the whole B&M infrastructure.

Not to mention, for a DL-trained instructor, its a version of "Do as I say, not as I did" operating here.

 

Link to a related discussion on another website

Someone on this website once pointed me to a discussion about teaching in the US with a UK DL doctorate- different from a US online doctorate, but potentially similar issues.

http://chronicle.com/forums/careernetwork/read.php?f=2&i=4814&t=4814

Hopefully you will find the thoughts here useful...

 

DL schools often have much higher attrition rates than B&M schools, so enrollment numbers can be misleading. According to Capella's accreditors, Capella has a total graduate enrollment of 10,571, which is relatively large by B&M graduate school standards. But in terms of degrees awarded, Capella's numbers are relatively small Capella: 828 master's degrees and only 178 doctoral degrees last year.

 

Fascinating thread...

Thank you, Helen, for posting the article. I read it and found it to be an important study that says very little about the relative quality of the online or hybrid doctoral experience compared to the traditional doctoral expereince. It really seems to be more of a study of the prejudice and--in several cases--ignorance of certain department chairs.

There is no body of research to support the comments made by the chairs in this study. Most seemed to be woefully lacking in their knowledge of modern distance learning technology and methodology and unaware of the advances in the field and practice of distance learning since the advent of the Internet. Granted, there are far too many poorly designed and delivered products claiming to be "online courses" (even at legitimate universities). However, in order to negate the results of 80 years of research into student achievement in mediated instruction (demonstrating, by and large, "no significance difference" with achievement via traditional classroom instruction), someone has to point to a body of empirical (i.e. non opinion-based) research that demonstrates the inferiority of distance learning. Unfortunately, DL critics have been unable to generate a consistent body of such research.

As someone who has worked in higher ed since 1987, I must admit that someone looking for a full-time tenure track faculty position with a DL doctorate would have a tough time. Most of those I know who are working as faculty and administrators with DL degrees, earned the doctorate after being hired by the university. Their doctorates helped them to gain promotion and raises. My observation, at the current time, is that a DL doctorate would be most advantageous for community college faculty who wished to rise up the salary and prestige scale by becoming a doctor.

It will take the retirement of a generation of in-the-box traditionalists before distance learning doctorates will receive a more fair consideration at most colleges and universities.

Dr. Rene: I will try to find that previous post.

CalDog: Although Nova Southeastern offers many online programs, it is, primarily, a brick and mortar school, not a virtual school

 

I found this one. I have posted similar information in a few DI threads over the years...

posted by Anthony Pina

Having been both a full-time faculty and a full-time administrator (and on several hiring boards), here are some observations:

Selection of a tenure-track faculty member is a very subjective process that will involve some objective measures as well. A lot of factors play into the process, including the candidate's personality, internal politics of the department, affirmative action and whether the candidate's research/teaching expertise fills a need or void in the department. A big consideration is whether there is a perceived "fit" between the candidate and the department. Keep in mind that hiring faculty is something that is usually done at the department and dean level, so a great deal of variation can exist between different departments at the same university (let alone between different universities).

Keeping in mind that this is a subjective process and there are many things (such as "political hires") that are beyond control of the faculty candidate, these are the more objective parts of the hiring process:

Education - Most community colleges require a masters degree to teach an academic subject (English, history, science, mathematics, etc.) or an undergraduate degree and some years of experience to teach a vocational subject (culinary arts, auto mechanics, air conditioning/heating, etc.). Universities usually require candidates to have the terminal degree in their disciplines (doctorate for most fields, masters in several fields).

Teaching - Given the usually stiff competition for faculty positions, one generally needs evidence of successful teaching experience at the college level. Copies of student evaluations and/or peer/dept. chair evaluations are useful additions to one's application portfolio. Someone interested in teaching full time at the college level should begin by obtaining an adjunct (part-time) teaching position and doing really well at that. Depending on the discipline, creating and delivering staff development workshops, corporate training and K-12 teaching can be counted as relevant teaching experience.

Scholarship - This is weighted very heavily in the hiring process at universities. One of the biggest mistakes that many people make is to think that a PhD is al that one leads to land a faculty position. Nothing could be further from the truth. To prepare for a full-time faculty position, one should seek out and join the leading professional/scholarly organizations in her/his discipline, attend the professional conferences (to see what is happening in the discipline and to establish a professional network with those who work in academia and hire faculty) and develop a research agenda, which includes presenting at professional conferences and publishing in the discipline's journals. Writing successful grant proposals is another activity seen as a scholarly endeavor.

Service - Hiring committees will also look at a candidate's service outside the classroom. Service on campus committees (even as an adjunct faculty), serving in leadership or other positions in professional associations, service to/in civic and community organizations and charitable work are all seen as desirable activities.

 

Thanks Anthony. I appreciate you searching for, and finding this previous post. I consider your words to be sage advice for anyone looking for, or currently in a full-time teaching position in higher education. I have actually developed my own personal “balanced scorecard” for evaluating my performance in the areas of scholarship, service, teaching, and experience. It has served me well.

Rene Rendon

 

Steve, I'm sorry that this has rubbed you the wrong way... or, worse, flat-out offended. You have to know that that is not my intention. But I tend not to sugar-coat; or to use avoidance phrases like, for unrelated example, "his thing," when "his penis" is really what I meant... and would say. And I would say what I said, earlier in this thread, to your face, no matter its color... or the color of the faces of those who created it, or of those whom its owner helped to create. No presumption on my part would be required.

Please don't take offense, Steve. None was intended. And, again, my apologies if you have.

That said, my new knowledge of your sensitivity to this issue would not stop me from saying exactly what I said all over again if I had the opportunity... even with said knowledge. Stifling the discussion by making it taboo does more to water down the cause than anything.

And please don't suggest that you have the market cornered on sensitivity to race issues. I'm a progressive, a liberal, a Democrat and an activist with a provable, decades-long track record of civil disobedience. Your perhaps lifelong, firsthand experience with discrimination does not trump my lifelong condemnation-through-word-and-action of it. I get to be comfortable using the words which describe it without having those whose misguided sensitivities it offends trying to make their problem with it into mine.

 

In 2004, Capella awarded an estimated eight to nine doctoral degrees per program specialization. Each of their doctoral programs has over five different specializations:

http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/education/education_index.aspx

http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/human_services/human_services_index.aspx

http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/psychology/psychology_index.aspx

http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/business_technology/business_technology_index.aspx

Thanks for providing the numbers and putting things into perspective.

-S

 

Yes you can...

I am a Capella Learner taking my doctoral comps. I teach FT at a community college in Wisconsin, and am in the online adjucnt pool at two DL programs. It is not easy to break into academia, but I believe that the community college route is easier for DL degrees. When I was hired, I was told that my 15 years of management & leadership experience was the main factor why the committee chose me; the education was the "icing on the cake."

Having said that, I believe that the best thing for DL doctoral grads to do is to "get out in academia." I have presented a paper at one international conference, and am presenting another paper at the Eastern Sociolgical Society Annual Meeting in February. DL grads must sell themselves based on the quality of the work we do.

 

The post from Anthony

Here is the post from Mr. Pina. Actually it's always been one of my favorite posts and it was in response to a question that I posted on the board, I was able to find it under my screen name. Hope this helps!

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Typically, business faculty command some of the highest salaries at the university level. It is not uncommon to start in the 50K (or even 60K) range for a brand-new assistant professor.

Keep in mind that university faculty jobs are HIGHLY competitive. Just having a business PhD or DBA will not be sufficient. If you are serious about a full-time academic career, you will need to consider that being a professor requires a combination of scholarship, service and teaching. For business faculty, experience is also necessary.

Scholarship -

1) Become active in the professional associations in your field of interest.
2) Attend the associations' conferences regularly (this will likely be your main source of networking with those who might hire you).
3) Present at the conferences. This will make you familiar to your professional perrs and help to establish your academic reputation.
4) Establish a research agenda and engage in and publish research, especially in the major refereed (peer reviewed) journals in your field. You will undoubtedly be competing against candidates who are doing this already. If you have no journal publications, you will not be a viable candidate for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at most universities.

Service -

1) Volunteer to serve in the professional associations. There are generally numerous opportunities on various assoication boards.
2) Donate some of your expertise to community, civic or church groups.
3) Serve on any committees that you can.

Teaching -

1) Gain experience as an adjunct faculty at the university level. Almost no university will offer a full-time teaching position to someone without a record of successful teaching. Business departments often hire practitioners from the field to teach courses. Even teaching experience at the community college level will be beneficial.
2) Be sure to keep your teaching evaluations (both from students and from peer/dept. chair observations). This will become the "evidence of successful teaching" required by many universities.

Experience -

1) It is not enough to have an accounting degree and a CPA (or even a PhD). Business is one area where they do not have to tolerate the "those who can't do...teach" situation. If you wish to teach accounting, for example, they will want to know your practical "hands-on" accounting experience in the field. Knowledge of theory will not suffice. If you have years of experience actually doing the things that you plan to teach, your application will be much more competitive.

Best of luck in your endeavors and I hope that you land a choice faculty position.

Tony Piña
Administrator, Northeastern Illinois University

 

Re: The post from Anthony

Thanks, I'm always glad to help. I have posted a few times on this subject, but this post and the one on the first page of this thread are probably the best ones. Even though the terminology may not be exactly the same on both threads, the principles are the same.

 

Newbie Needs Advice please, Phd Programs Online

Hello Everyone,

Here is a little background information on me. I'm 24, I graduated from Indiana State University with my undergrad B.S. in Criminology in 3 years (combined with full loads in the summer at IUPUI in Indianapolis) and went on towards a M.S. in Criminal Justice through the distance education at University of Cincinnati and recently graduated this past March 08'. My experience includes working as a correctional officer at a work release facility, crime scene investigator, deputy clerk, and several internships for law firms. I was head chair of fundraising committee on my fraternity as well as in the Student Government Association. I have been wanting all along through my graduate degree to go on for a PhD in Criminal Justice/Criminology. I am currently teaching a class for Itt Technical Institute's online program in criminal justice.

Here comes the question....

Would it be advisable to complete an online Phd degree in Pubic Safety through Capella if I wanted to teach in the classroom, online, or work for a company conducting private research such as RAND corporation? I have maintained a 3.6GPA and have done well on my GRE.

Would someone please give me a list of options? The soonest I can get accepted into mainstream colleges would be Fall 2009 and I wanted to start earlier.

Someone please highlight if this would be suitable for me.

Thanks!

-Robert

 

Yes, a Ph.D. from Capella would help if you wanted to teach in private industry, K-12, community college, a virtual university or as an adjunct instructor. It would not be the best choice for someone looking for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at a B&M university.

 

Is there a reason you're not going into a traditional PhD program?

 

Hi indy - My own opinion, based on years of never having done anything even remotely related to what you're doing, is that a PhD would be invaluable. Especially that whole thing about the Rand Corp. I'm guessing that you need a PhD to be a receptionist at that place.

Seriously, where I live it's reallyreally hard to get a teaching job in a community college without a PhD. Can it be done? Sure, depending on your area. You could probably teach math or computer science with only a Masters but maybe not much else. Oh, probably there's also a subset of disciplines like Nursing or other health realted subject where you could teach with a Masters. What else? Hmmm. That might be a good thread topic.

 

The Rand Corporation offers a Ph.D. program and takes in about 25 students a year. I imagine it is extremely difficult to get accepted into their program.

Personally I would take working at the Rand Corporation over pursuing a Ph.D. anytime.

 

I currently adjunct at Florida Institute Technology mainly general ed courses like sociology. I'm pursing a CAGS right now at NCU. I'm hoping myself to make a decision regarding a ph.d program. I live in HI so full time professor positions are extremely hard to come by. I do like teaching online so I may consider going the online route so I can maintain and solidify my relationship with Florida Tech. BUT, I've been rather intrigued by the Liberty Ed.D program. Its a hybrid model with minimal residencies however educational leadership is not my specialty which concerns me. BTW just to get the word out Florida Tech is expanding its undergraduate degree programs like CJ and Business.