Looking for an affordable PhD/DBA/DSc or similar program

While many people who aspire to a doctoral degree think of teaching, increasingly there is a group of people, in many fields, who want to work as private practioners, consultants, etc. and they see a doctoral degree as being a a credibility enhancer. There are many people working in private or publicly owned corporations and in various governmental departments who have doctoral degrees. I believe that you've defined the utility of this degree too rigidly.

 

The "doctor" has no tangible, professional credibility outside his or her field of expertise, which is loosely defined by the dissertation and publications, so how could a doctorate serve as a "credibility enhancer?"

 

This may be technically true, but the perception of the general public is that someone that holds a doctorate is an "expert" in a given field. While the holder's expertise may be very narrow in scope due to their research interests I know of very few people asking what a PhD/DBA/Ed.D's dissertation topic was. Someone that holds a PhD in organizational management would be considered an expert in that field by a vast majority of people outside of the academic realm. I could certainly see a doctorate being of some utility in a professional setting. It adds an air of credibility, demonstrates that a person is capable of extensive research and deep thought and possesses the ability to articulate ideas as well as defend his position, among other benefits.

To say that the credential holds no utility outside of academia is short sighted.

 

What is the cut off age? Does the cost of the program come into play if you are looking at the ROI?

What an interesting way to view the world.

 

In a competitive marketplace, where there are many people vying for positions of all sorts, any advantage is sought. In some situations a PhD might be such a competitive advantage. But then, you knew that already, didn't you?

 

Interesting thread - may I jump in and get a little off topic?

Do you have any sources/links on that?
(I'm in a similar situation as Yrrex - planing to move on to a Top5 UK PhD program + willing to relocate + willing to do their MRes - but not published so far).

 

It might be an advantage but it might not be. True?

 

I concur Dave. Unfortunately, there are organizations in which perceptions toward a doctorial degree recipient could be perceived as a threat factor. This can/does also happen with graduate and graduate professional degrees. In short, advanced degrees may not realistically offer the holder a competitive advantage, especially if attempting to join said organization; advanced degrees may even be a detriment.

 

Well, one of my best friends has a degree in meteorolgy and has never worked in academia. He just returned from a foreign consulting trip that gave him a huge amount of money. He tells me that his Dh.D. is what gives him credibility (plus his published papers). Strangely enough although he is an expert in his field he is not finding a premium publisher for his book.

I often meet Ph.Ds. working for aerospace related companies and they are afforded lots of respect (in fact it is tough trying to counter them when they are wrong).

 

Advanced degrees would be a threat/detriment only if you're looking to work for a very stupid employer who doesn't value education. And who the hell would want to do that?

 

I didn’t say that the “threat” bias was justified, but any organization is the people in it. Not wanting to work for people with that type of self-image /identity crisis issue is one thing; needing to work with then is quite another. Not everyone has the alternative of choosing who they work for or with.

 

anderson

Does anyone have any expereince with the Anderson University DBA?

 

Also Ted, unless say a job posting particularly lists a doctorate as requirement (seldom outside the education industry) … an applicant with a doctorate, but not required for the position, may be not considered by a potential employer using the worn-out mind-set of “over qualified”. Moreover with the belief that a terminal degreed applicant will require a higher salary, options, additional benefits, etc. may also play into a potential employer’s decision.

 

In which case, you adjust your resume to the prospective employer.

 

I've witnessed that effect. However, expert power derives from expertise, we all should hope...

 

Ted,

Yes resumes can be adjusted – regrettably normally via embellishment; however, what about the application for employment? For instance, many public sector positions require an applicant’s historical data since the age of 18, including colleges /universities attended, transcript copies and degrees awarded. So wouldn’t omitting (adjusting) a degree/s is in fact falsifying an application? I believe this illustration would also carry over to any potential employer … public or private.

 

It's none of an employer's god damn business to know my entire life story from age 18. If I apply for another fast food cook position, I list all my fast food experience and omit the MBA degrees. If I apply for a position that says MBA required or MBA preferred, I list the MBA degrees and neglect to mention my fast food experience. Simple as that.

 

I agree, unless specifically stated otherwise, employers look for relevant experience and background. If information is irrelevant to the position, do you leave it out or junk up the application and have the employer asking themselves 'Do I need people that are willing to junk up applications like this when I asked for relevant info? Are they going to junk up mission critical stuff* with extranious information?

*I try use only the best and brightest technical terms like stuff, thingies, gizmos, gee-gaws, and its. So bring me the machine that goes 'ping'!

 

Your response doesn’t invalidate what I wrote regarding honesty. [If] the question/s are asked on an application and you choose to complete and present the application but not answer requested information fully and truthfully because you judge the information none of their &$%@*! business – then my understanding would be you’ve falsified the application for employment via deliberate omission. That’s undeniably justification for non-hire and if discovered after-the-fact … grounds for immediate dismissal (e.g., termination for misconduct in Texas) … and most all employment applications offer a caveat regarding just this matter. Of course if you do choose to exclude information because you believe it none of the potential employer’s right to know … then you should just put that statement on your application pertaining to your decision to decline providing response to inquiry in which you take issue. You probably wouldn’t be further considered, but at least there would be no question regarding integrity.

 

If the ad for the job asks for a master's degree and I omit my Ph.D. on my application and resume, am I making a material omission?

I hope not, because I routinely exclude my two associate's degrees and one of my bachelor's degrees. In fact, it would look positively narcissistic to list all of that.

When I was 20 years old, I decided to take a few exams and take a BA from USNY (now Excelsior), this on top of the B.S. I'd already earned. I'm 50 now; is that decision a very long time ago particularly relevant? (This assumes, of course, that the application doesn't demand EVERY degree be listed. This was the case when I've received various security clearances from the government over the years.)

And that summer I worked in a furniture warehouse when I was 18? Puhleeze.