Dbl program at unisa

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Syedadeel, Feb 15, 2014.

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  1. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member

    Dear all, I have just received my admission letter from UNISA!
    I have been assigned a provisional place in their DBL - Dr of Business Leadership program on full time basis. Can anyone of you provide feedback about this program and please let me know about its reputation in overall terms.

    Also what are the job opportunities available after doing a distance learning PHD in business management/leadership from a South African university ?

    will this degree help me get a tenure track teaching / research position as an academician at any Western or African University?


    thank you
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Probably not, unless they want you anyway. Don't expect it to open doors, but it could keep one from slamming.

    Folks, let's get serious. Doctorate ≠ job.

    For new academics, the doctorate is an entry-level credential. But, it should be done in residence so that one may take part in the academic community and work one's self into an academic position. Even then, the travails are serious. Doing a DL doctorate isn't likely to get you in.

    For mid-career practitioners, the doctorate can be a career-boosting accomplishment. DL doctorates are useful for this.

    For mid-career practitioners interested in moving over to academia, it is best to develop relationships with schools you're interested in working with/for. Then the doctorate becomes a square-filler, removing a potential objection. But getting the doctorate alone won't kick down the door! These things are relationship-based and not transactional.

    Bottom line: don't expect the DBL at UNISA to translate into a tenure-track teaching/research position at a university.
     
  3. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Congrats to you. I enjoyed the DBL program and found it fun. Nobody has questioned the school, but I am not trying for a tenure track position or anything. Been there, did that in the community college system. My thesis speaks for itself in terms of how "genuine" the degree is, and I'm happy with that.
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Actually, one's thesis says almost nothing about how genuine the school is. You can do mighty fine research under the supervision of a very bad school. And even if you took them all into consideration, you'd still have to make an argument for the school's legitimacy each and every time it came up.

    The legitimacy of your research is another thing, of course. Then we turn to your thesis, your advisor, and your examiners, along with the legitimacy of the school. But the school? That comes from other authorities. (In this case, UNISA is without question, of course.)

    Good-but-unaccredited schools--and the students/graduates that attend(ed) them--are routinely faced with making this argument.
     
  5. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    It can be reasoned that only a quality thesis will be good enough at a quality university. One should be able to make general observations about a student based on his alma mater.
     
  6. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Sure. Just making the point that anyone can search for the school and see it is a fine, long-established, legitimate university and that my thesis is there on the library site for anyone to read. This should serve the needs of anyone wanting to learn more about me who hadn't heard of the university or the degree before. As to how the degree stacks up against North American or other equivalents just isn't something I'm concerned with at this stage of my career, although someone earlier in their career would be wise to investigate this. The bottom line is that your doctorate should do what you need it to do for yourself, and mine does for me. :)
     
  7. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member


    I accept your argument with a pinch of salt !


    Yes these online degrees are basically helpful for public sector employees who would like to move on in their careers or for those who are working at unis or colleges.
    In some rare cases you may advance your career as an enterprenuer or researcher, but that's very rare. My Uncle did a distance learning PhD. but he is into politics and an arm chair intellectual who smokes around two Havana sticks a day. So ...I don't wanna end up like him.
    Anyways, I thank you for your above replies.

    Much appreciated sir.
     
  8. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member

    Yeah the school has alright reputation. That is why I made an application in the first place. The biggest problem for me is that if I accept their offer, than I have to travel to SA at-least three to four times. That's not easy being an international student from Pakistan.

    Its considered both a luxury and waste of time over here.

    This shows UNISA DBL is not really an online degree, because of these mandatory colloquiums / research seminars that you have to attend over the given 3 year period of study/research.

    Other problem is of correspondence. The university never writes back to you. Horrible email delays blocks the entire stream and logic of having a conversation. I hope their supervisors at-least write back to you in time. Thats a big Minus for UNISA!!

    NO PUNCTUAL COMMUNICATION VIA EMAIL !!!!

    It took me around a month to first understand the difference between DCOM and DBL degrees. University didnt explain that properly. Secondly their DCOM faculty / supervisors are much much better.
    But the DBL program does not have a Finance Research Dean /Head .. so..that position is lying vacant.
    My thesis is on Market Risk Management in Capital Markets. I wonder if their is a potential supervisor available or will some one swap over from the DCOM program to conduct/oversee this thesis writing project??

    So you also specialized in Finance / Banking related topic ??

    Please do let me know further...

    thank you again for sending in you replies.
    Much appreciated sir.

    take care
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2014
  9. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member

    point taken !
     
  10. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member

    It wont make any difference even if you do a thesis on an Astrophysics related topic that directly challenges the creation of this universe, if your degree is stamped by a tin pot university. So I believe University comes 1st and thesis quality etc. follows...

    You may ofcourse agree to disagree..
     
  11. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Sorry, but I'm done here. My intention was to be helpful and encouraging to someone who seemed pleased to be accepted to the program, not to join in criticizing it. If you would be happier in the DCOM, please consider freeing up your spot in the DBL for someone who would appreciate it. All the best. Goodbye.
     
  12. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    A few years ago there were not too many options. I wouldn't say it a students market but there are more than enough options to find something that should make you happy. Have a look at Al Medina International University.
     
  13. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member

    fully appreciate your feedback sir!

    you misunderstood my words.

    thanks a lot anyways
     
  14. Syedadeel

    Syedadeel New Member


    the supervisor at MEDIU cannot even speak proper English! ..I was dealing with them until last year and later moved out of that degree.

    thanks for the feedback again
     
  15. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    There are many excellent professors in North America who are still struggling with English because English was not their first language.
     
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That's true. On the other hand, there are also many excellent professors in North America and elsewhere who speak English well despite it not being their first language. I appreciate that English is a very challenging language to learn: it has unusual phonemes, its orthography is riddled with exceptions, and its vocabulary is the largest of any language. Still, if you want to communicate effectively with English-speaking students, then there's really no substitute, and it's a valid reason not to attend a school if its faculty members speak English poorly.
     
  17. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member



    This question comes very often in this forum. Unisa is a fine school and have seen few people with doctorate degrees from Unisa in tenure track positions around the globe but you also have to be realistic about your expectations.
    Faculty positions normally require someone with teaching experience, publication record among other things. There is also the field of specialization.
    There is no shortage of business doctorates that I know other than some fields like accounting.

    The main issue with distance doctorates as that are not really meant to prepare scholars but to provide development opportunities for professionals. You are missing a lot with DL doctorates such as the on ground teaching experience, conference presentation, networking with other academics, reputation of the school et.

    People that get tenure track positions with a DL doctorate is mainly because they already have all the requirements for the job but just missing the check mark of a doctorate. However, it is not very realistic that a person with no academic experience will be offered a faculty position because of a DL doctorate.
     
  18. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Great points, all. (As usual for you.) I make this argument all the time. Let me add one more: the DBL is a practitioner--not academic--degree. It isn't designed for entry into academia. This might matter in some situations, certainly traditional-entry ones.
     
  19. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    My sister went to a traditional 5 year program at a University that is top in her field (McGill University) and after 5 years of post docs, she still has no tenure track.

    It is a bit difficult to believe that some people come to this forum and believe that a part time doctorate from a non ranked school will be a ticket to a tenure track when you have individuals that publish in top journals, have degrees from top schools, etc and still looking for a tenure track.

    I am sure that for some people this kind of doctorates might work, but they are more the exception than the rule.

    As you pointed out, the DBL, DBA, DM, DAnything are not meant to train scholars but to enhance your current professional profile. Can someone become tenure track with these degrees? Maybe, but we are talking about exceptional individuals.

    The other issue is the value of these programs to your professional profile, if a person has an MBA from Harvard or Stanford, perhaps a DBL from UNISA might not really add much value to your CV.

    We live in different times, academic credentials are not longer the main differentiators but what you bring to the table. Many think that a doctorate in a resume would be the ticket to a better job and more opportunities and believe that any doctorate from an accredited school would do the trick.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 20, 2014
  20. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member


    You are not very realistic here, UNISA is not selling top customer service nor a brand name but price. If you want quick responses, reputation, brand name, etc, you must be willing to pay the price for this.

    University of Liverpool fits your bill but be ready to pay from 60 to 80K USD plus few trips to England.

    Very few distance doctorates require no trips, the very few ones that are 100% distance have almost no reputation.

    You can also consider external PhDs from British schools, many would consider granting you a PhD based on publications. No matter what you chose, you will be required to go at least once to England to defend your thesis.

    Again, you cannot find cheap, with a great reputation, no trips and that can give you a tenure track. You are asking for something that might not exist.
     

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