Dakota State University Doctor of Science vs UK Phd

Dear friends,

I am systems and computing engineer located in the Dominican Rep. I have a Masters Degree on HCI from Rochester Institute of Tech and Masters Degree on IS from Stevens Institute of Tech.

I am actually involved in some important projects within a local University where I work at, this situations is preventing me from getting into a doctoral program that requires me to move to another country. However my career requires me to move on to the next step and pursue a doctoral degree.

I had come to a point where I have 2 concrete offers (1 from USA and 1 from UK) from programs that requires limited periods of residency at the foreign country and allows me to conduct must of my research at my local University.

The thing is that I don't know much about these institutions, and one of the cases is the first time that I see the kind of degree granted (Doctor of Science). The details are as follow:

1) From USA I got an offer from Dakota Sate University. They have a program on Information Systems with concentration on Information Assurance and Computer Security or Knowledge Management. The program can be conducted with limited periods of residence in the USA with remote supervision via distance learning tools. The degree granted is Doctor of Science in Information Systems. The university does not look like a top one, but the program structure is very appealing and looks very solid. Professors seems quite good too. However all reviews for this institution talk about it reputation at the undergrad level.

2) From UK I got an offer from University of Salford. This is an university located in the city of Manchester. They have a program in Informatics with concentrations on Knowledge Discovery. This program can be conducted on a format that they call Split-Site. This means limited periods of residency in UK and remote supervision from an adviser while working in my home institution. The degree granted is a Research Degree, equivalent to a Phd. The university is not top either but has a better position than Dakota. Professors are very good. However the program is not structured like the USA one, I got the feeling that I will be my own and not following a formal program like the US doctoral studies.

In either case, partial financial support is offered and my local university will cover rest of the tuition and travel expenses.

a) What would be you recommendation in terms of : Degree/Country/ University /Program. Having in mind that I would not want to rule out the possibility of some day working in the American academy. To best of your knowledge, how well known is the Doctor of Science degree?

b) An American Doctoral Degree would be more respected than an European one ?

c) Would it be better a not so good Doctoral from USA than a Good doctoral from Europe?

d) Can anybody tell me something about DSU as an institution and this particular Dsc IS program?

Your opinions are very valuable to me and will have a strong weight on my final decision.

Thanks in advance for your time and orientation.

 

Which ever fits your eye best. The source of the degree--as long as it's legitimate--is not as important as the work you do in it. That goes for the degree title, too. Do the degree that fits you best.

Not necessarily, especially in Europe. In the U.S., the degree from a U.S.-based school would raise fewer questions. But I'd like to think that at that point in your career, you're having conversations about your next opportunities, not being screened by someone who can't figure out your education. Either degree should be a conversation maker, right?

Unless you're doing a degree at a world-renowned school, it won't matter much. Employers in the U.S. aren't likely to be impressed with--or disappointed by--a foreign school's ranking.

I cannot. Perhaps other posters can help with that.

You're welcome. In short, worry more about the work you'll do to become a doctor and less about the school or the degree designation. The further along you are in your career, the more this is true. Good luck with your decision.

 

To be honest, I think a foreign school (depending on the country) can actually be a benefit over a lesser known US school. Many people rate the quality of US schools based upon if they'd seen them in their NCAA basketball pool or on TV playing football. A school like Florida State or Gonzaga will sometimes get more respect over other smaller schools like Dakota State simply because of their sports programs. Dakota State isn't a bad school but someone might think that it's not that great because they never heard of it.

In contrast, in the US, very few people have heard of UK schools besides Oxford and therefore they don't have a frame of reference. They can't compare the University of Salford to a US school for example so they assume it's OK. They don't think it's great but they don't think it's bad. They just don't know. I've even talked to some people that assumed all UK schools are like Oxford.

Back to your question, pick what works for you. Both ways will open doors for you. Dakota State is a great school and so are many choices in the UK. Don't let people's opinions sway your decision. Look at the programs they offer and see which one matches best with your educational goal.

 

Hello,

I think you should base your choice on the program that offers study in your research interest. If your dissertation/doctoral research interest pertains to information assurance, then Dakota State is the route to take. If Knowledge discovery is your interest, then Salford should be your chioce.

In terms of the degrees.....DSU's doctoral program in IS is a research degree with an applied component which gives you the best of both worlds (teaching/research career as well as industry/applied career). However, Salford seem to offer an array of Phd/doctoral programs, which suggest a much grounded history in terms of doctoral program offering.

Other factors to consider should be what your out-of-pocket cost will be overall, after your institution cover their part. I must say that DSU in U.S standards is very affordable at $1000 per class ($337 per credit hour). So compare that with whatsoever Salford will be.

Another factor that should be taken into consideration is the fact that DSU's program/curriculum will mimic RIT and Steven's program, while Salford's may have a much more different program structure which may be totally new to your experiences at RIT and Steven.

Personally, I would pick DSU. Why? Because (1) I am currently preparing to apply to the program - in fact, I am writing my statement of purpose right now. (2) if you are interested in Information Assurance and Computer Security, the program is accredited by U.S National Security Agency and Central Security Service, which is a statement that will add more credibility to your conferred degree. (3) In addition to winning the U.S.News & World Report magazine's annual analysis of "America's Best Colleges" for four consecutive years, DSU's doctor of science in IS program will be among the top offered in a distance learning format given some years, and I'm sure more programs at this level is planned.

Also, in terms of the popularity, while a PhD is a more popular form of doctoral degree, according to Wikipedia, a doctor of science (DSc) degree is equivalent to a PhD and even regarded as a more advanced form of doctorate in some countries. Other programs that offer an equivalent of DSU's program is the campus-based IT doctorate offered by Towson University, and the newly offered doctor of science degree in information assurance with limited residency by Capitol College.

I hope these issues/factors will help you make your decision. Goodluck!

 

I have applied to the Capitol program and will keep the forum posted. It's a pretty big deal --- I am a bit surprised it has not gotten more fanfare, albeit a unique discipline.

 

Programs with no graduates and steep admissions guidelines don't generally generate fanfare.

Now granted, I qualify for Capitol's program as would a lot of Federal employees carrying the CISSP due to government certification requirements but still, people can get into Capella or some other program with the same NCSS certification without the hassles.

Now in five to 10 years when there are graduates out there making waves, then the program will be lauded.

 

One might want to rethink that position as Capitol has a well established IA program and graduate base. Granted, this program is new, but they will pull from their established base first.

For someone in the IA field, these requirements should _not_ be that steep, especially for someone considering the DSc. What do you consider a hassle? The three letters of recommendation?

Also, Capella does not carry the same CNSS certifications. Pretty sure Capitol is one of six schools to carry all six.

NSA Committee on National Security Systems:
Capella standards 4011, 4013, 4014
Capitol carries all six CNSS domains

Lastly, Capitol is IA specific, while Capella offers a specialization. This could be a pro or a con depending on desired role.

 

The decision to go for PhD versus DSc depends on what the intention is. PhD is for theoretical research while DSc is for professional or practical research.

 

I have no input on those academia institutions that you have considered. However, have you thought about Nova Southeastern University's Ph.D in Information System/Computer Information System with Information Security? I mean since you live in the Dominican Republic, and Florida is closer than both institutions you have mentioned.