Andy Borchers or Tony Pina - Help Please

Hey Andy and Tony,

As the name implies, I am looking for a DBA program with some ability to be used for academic employment. I've read your comments in other threads about Nova and their lack of business accreditation and the difficulties for distance learning grads to secure higher ed jobs.. In your collective experience with hiring for higher ed, does that fact that Anderson University has ACBSP accreditation help the situation at all or is it an AACSB or nothing world?

 

I suspect that Anderson's new program (although ACBSP) probably won't be perceived much differently than Nova's which has been around a long time. The difference is the "devil you know versus the devil you don't know."

The whole discussion about institutions has to be put in perspective. Where you got your degree from may help open (or close) doors, particulary for your first job. But after you've been out of school a while, what you've done lately is far more important.

Do you have publications and meaningful research? Do you have industry experience? Can you teach? These are the real issues in the long term. DL degrees can provide some limitations, but other factors matter a lot.

Regard - Andy

 

My insane plan is as follows:

Earn an MBA from an AACSB school (done)

Earn an MS in MIS (currently working on it at UIS. Great value!)

Earn my CPA (hope to complete this year)

Earn a CPIM (hope to complete sometime in the future)

Undertake a DBA like Anderson's.

I have adjunct faculty experience at good old UOPhx Online but no other of which to speak. My experience at publishing is similarly unimpressive (which means none in this case). I guess I am operating on faith here!

In any case, I was thinking that the CPA/MIS/Operations experience would appeal to many smaller schools. At the time, I am the Operations Manager of a catalog firm and I love it but I'm thinking of my post 40 years old career.

Thanks for the thoughts. Anderson really looks like an interesting value. If I'm hearing you correctly, it isn't a disqualifier either.

Any thoughts on how the religious aspect of the school might be accepted at secular schools?

 

You have an agressive plan. I suspect the combination of IS, accounting and operations management may be very marketable, especially at small and medium sized schools. Often, individuals with multiple teaching areas can be a real benefit to a department head that needs 1/2 an accountant and 1/2 something else.

At the same time, you'll probably want to have one area that you focus on for publishing and research - along with other areas you can teach in. Right now accounting is short doctorally qualified faculty.

As for Anderson's religious orientation - I don't think this is a big deal as long they are competent in the business disciplines. Some folks may belittle it - but then, they just as easily belittle Nova or any other program.

I'd be sure to get some more teaching experience. Hopefully, in a DBA program you'll have some oppotunities to publish - perhaps with peers or faculty.

Regards - Andy

 

Never mind I got my answer!

 

Yup, yup, yup. What Andy sez....

 

While it is true that having a Ph.D. or DBA from an AACSB recognized school is desirable and advantageous to someone looking for a full-time faculty position, it is not the only critical factor (nor is it necessarily the most important). There are plenty of full-time faculty teaching with non-AACSB DBAs (including those from Nova). The same is true for the other big discpline-specific recognition (APA).

Andy's advice is very sound and I second his opinion. When I am looking at candidates, I pay attention to where they earned their degrees, but their practical experience in the field, types of publications, conference presentations, involvement in professional associations, prior university/community service and teaching experience trumps the discipline-related organization that recognizes the degree--even if it is the almighty AACSB

Tony