"The Dissertation"

Here's an interesting article about the history of the Ph.D., the dissertation, and its future:

http://docs.ndltd.org:8080/dspace/bitstream/2340/214/1/Libner-Morgan-ETD2004.pdf

 

articles on the attrition of doctoral students

Some articles people might find interesting:

This article discusses the high attrition rate of doctoral students. They rate it at 50-60%

http://www.greentreegazette.com/ExploringAdmissions/load.aspx?art=50

This article discusses some of the issues of Canadian psychology doctoral candidates. Isolation was seen as a significant issue

http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/userfiles/Documents/students/Psynopsis29(1).pdf

 

Congrats, Dr. Me Again!

Great job!

And thanks for this thread. Very interesting.


Roscoe

 

Good job Doctor!! congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Abner

 

This is an unknown phrase for me: "teaching specialisation". What exactly is that at the academic university level? Isn't what you teach based on your expertise in a field (i.e. the dissertation)? What would this have to do with coursework?

 

You still need a certain number of credits in the specific area that you want to teach. Check out this article from the Chronicle: http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/06/2008062001c.htm

 

Their teaching specialization is their dissertation field.

 

Another reply

I certainly agree with your points.

To me there is a key difference between course work and dissertation work. In course work a faculty member directs your study. In a dissertation you have to direct the work. Your advisor will help - but in the end you are in charge of identifying the topic, reading the literature, writing the proposal, collecting the data and doing the analysis. Few students are prepared for this based on their undergraduate and masters level work (as Rich has pointed out).

One more item for your list. Item 0 should read "Select a doctoral program with a workable thesis process". Some schools have the process down - NSU's business school is one. It isn't easy, but it is written down and doable. Some school pride themselves on having such an ill defined process that few people ever seem to complete it.

Regards - Andy

 

That's what I always thought. No amount of "credits" can compare to research and a dissertation in a specific field.

 

Congratulations, Doctor me again!

When will the degree be officially conferred?

 

Thx brother Bruce. It's officially conferred now, but ceremonially walking across a stage won't be offered until June of 2009.

Hey, when are you going to plunge into a distance doctorate? My advice: Don't!!! A doctorate is too hard! Ahhhhh cynical me!

 

Congratulations, Dr. Me Again! What was your dissertation topic? What's next after the PhD? I take it from what you said above that you're not too keen on another doctorate or even another graduate certificate. Well, what's left to conquer now that you've been to that mountain top?

 

I'm looking at something presently.....blended format at a B&M school local to me. I don't want to say too much right now.

 

I've always wondered whether the notion of a terminal degree means that your degree is very sick and it is going to die soon or whether it means that the candidate will damn near kill himself/herself trying to get the darn thing!

 

Does this mean that the owner/moderator of theologyreview.com isn't going to get a DMin, PhD in Theology, or ThD?

 

Egad!

I've read the bible from cover-to-cover, but I'm not eligible to attend graduate-level certificate programs in biblical studies because the programs that I've looked at require students to be church members -- which I'm not!

From a theological perspective, I'm a diehard Calvinist, so my theological options for studying are somewhat limited. I considered a 30 credit online graduate certificate from Covenant Theological Seminary, but I'm barred from their program because I'm not a church member anywhere. I also considered the Moody Bible Institute because their radio outreach-programs are stunningly spectacular! And impressive too! They offer a 30 credit online graduate certificate in biblical studies, but I'm also barred from their program because I'm not a church member anywhere.

Isn't it ironic that one is barred from studying the Word of God, simply because one isn't a church member? Oh well, that's the fate the I find myself in at this moment. No worries though because the Lord has a plan -- and it's being followed to a tee from the foundation of the world!

 

Job well done "me again" I am sure that while it may not seem like a total weight off your shoulders yet....it will in good time. I rasie my glass to you for completely your doctorate!!!!

All this talk makes me think a little bit about my dissertation that I will begin on the horizon. While I am not worried or concerned about it, as I am still working on coursework I have time to really think about my topic that I want to write about it.
My original topic was practically destroyed by the practices of the HS I am teaching at....which was a continuation of my Master's reseach thesis/paper...and ended up getting hosed by my administration for screwing me on teaching assignment which has prevented me in continuing my research as initially planned/proposed.

So I have about a year to think about what I want to write/research about...my dean/advisor told me chill out for a year and focus on finding inspiration within my coursework and then we'll talk about it next summer.
I supposed since my doctorate degree is an "Ed.D." rather than a "Ph.D.", I was told the dissertation requirements are not as intense as the Ph.D.'s.

So it is all good........

 

Meagain, I think you should challenge them on the basis of the Biblical definition of the "church". As a Christian I am a member of the "church" even though I do not belong to a group of people who go into a building on Sunday to listen to a guy talk about Biblical stuff. A missionary sitting in a small village in Africa is also a member of the "church" as is the lone Chinese man sitting in his living room reading the Bible in private for fear of being persecuted for such. The "church" is the body of Christ, in this instance the people on earth who have become Christians and who are actively pursuing God's purposes. By that definition, I think you'd have an argument.

 

Do they require a letter from your priest or other church official to verify whether you are a "church member"?

Quite.

 

Btw, I'm planning for my dissertation topic now. How do you decide on dissertation topic?