Suggestions for Distance Doctoral in Education

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mariel, Jan 23, 2003.

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  1. mariel

    mariel New Member

    I am interested in doing a doctorate in education, but am not gearing towards educational leadership, which is offered at a local college. I would prefer to study at a distance and have a great interest in instructional technology and distance learning as well as higher ed. The problem is that the only reputable schools I find with programs that interest me are private and VERY costly. My master's is from a brick and mortar school with a distance option, so it has not been an issue in terms of job hunting. I know how much work will go into a doctoral and have no interest in later defending the school I chose, so I would love to find one with a great reputation.
    I have checked out the online universities such as Walden, Phoenix, etc., but again, would like to avoid the total online institution since there is still somewhat of a prejudice against them, at least in academia! I have friends in higher ed who tell me that no committee will look at a candidate with a degree from a total online university. I don’t agree with them, but can’t afford that costly mistake. Any advice?
     
  2. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    The University of Phoenix is not a "total online institution." It is very much a classroom-based university, along with its online components.

    Doctoral education ain't cheap. While there have been inexpensive (relatively) options discussed many times on this board--especially the Australian and South African schools--admission isn't as straight-forward as with American schools. Also, the amount of residency required is not normally stated explicitly. In fact, it is often negotiated with each individual student. So expect some vagaries in the process.

    Assuming we don't want to refute your friends' advice, and assuming you don't want to pay the freight, I can't picture a U.S. institution that will offer a DL doctorate in education that is inexpensive. But if you want to accept the fact that doctoral education in the U.S. is expensive, and you want to pursue your degree primarily through distance learning, and you want a school that is campus-based, consider Nova Southeastern University.
     
  4. mariel

    mariel New Member

    Thank you Rich. I should have been more specific when saying "not too expensive." I am more than willing to pay good money for a good education, and I want to say with pride the name of the school where I earned my degree.

    I have applied to Nova and taken the entrance exams, etc. I have to think long and hard about a $40-50,000 committment however. Florida Atlantic University offers a rigorous program in Educational Leadership, but it is not fully at a distance and, as I said before, not a "passion" of mine. I think in the next couple years we will see more diversity in quality distance doctoral programs. Maybe I need to sit back a year or two and wait. I have just completed a Master's and should really make some money before spending more. :D
     
  5. Jason D. Baker

    Jason D. Baker New Member

    ML,

    Have you looked into the doctoral program in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Higher Education offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Based on my conversations with them a few years ago, I think you should be able to concentrate in instructional technology or distance education. Almost all of the coursework is delivered online using a Lotus Notes-based system and while they strongly encourage students to have an on-campus experience via a Summer school experience in Lincoln, it's not an absolute requirement. Non-resident students pay $217.50 per credit hour plus a $30 course fee for Lotus Notes courses, which is a fraction of most other distance doctoral program tuition. Besides, nobody is going to mistake UNL for a "total online institution." You can read more about this program at http://edadone.unl.edu

    (Full disclosure: I took one of their online doctoral courses and transferred it into my M.A. program.)

    Jason D. Baker
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 23, 2003
  6. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Mariel,

    I close friend of mine just finished his doctorate in instructional technology and distance ed at Nova Southeastern and loved the program. Here in my own state, Pepperdine offers a doctorate in educational technology (I have another friend who just completed that program). It is very good, but VERY expensive.

    Capella is another viable option, as it has a dotorate in that area, but is totally online and its reputation is still being established.

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a well-regarded doctorate, which can be completed almost entirely by distance learning. It is in ed leadership, but, as I undestand it, you could structure it with and instructional technology specialization.

    A few years back, I published an article about selecting an instructional technology grad program in a national journal and I am active in AECT, the major professional associaiton in that field, so I am aware of the major programs and which ones are considered the best. Program reputation in my field is usually based on how well-known the faculty are.

    Some of the programs in instructional technology/instructional systems/instructional design that have hitorically been considered at the top are: Indiana University, Florida State University, Arizona State University, Utah State University, Penn State and Syracuse, but quite a few other schools offer great programs as well.

    San Diego State U. has recently put its excellent masters program in educational technology online and now offer a doctorate in that discipline. I'm not sure how much of the doctoate can be completed via DL, but its worth looking into. they have one of the best-regarded instructional technology programs in the country.

    Tony Piña
    Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino
     
  7. mariel

    mariel New Member

    Thanks to all for your kind responses and suggestions. I've looked at the University of Nebraska and am really liking what I've seen so far. I obviously need to do more research. I would love to jump into the Nova program and not have to think about the money, but I am doing all this with loans and have to consider whether or not I should be spending that money on my son's needs, the leaking roof, etc. I'm sure some of you can relate. In education, I am not going to increase my pay substantially with this next degree. Rather, it is a personal goal and one which would make me very proud.

    I am though, as I read through all these posts, concerned at the number of people who seem to be looking for the easy way out in terms of earning a doctorate. This is an advanced degree which is not, and should not, be handed over easily. You are supposed to add original thought and substance to your field when completing the degree. I have to say this, if you don't want to do the work or have the time to devote to your field, why pursue the degree?
     
  8. KKA

    KKA Member

    Similar Query

    Greetings all,

    Does anyone know, who might be familiar with the state of education doctoral programs in the US, if there is any porgrams currently that might accept the EdS as a part of the work towards the EdD or PhD in education (that is, not losing a lot of credits when applying to the program)--preferably in DL.

    Thanks,

    KKA
     
  9. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Nebraska and Nova are both terrific suggestions. You might want to look at the better universities in Oz, too--the Australian $ is about 65 cents US. My experience talking to several of their unis has been very positive.
     
  10. musasira

    musasira Member

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