EdD programme - anyone else out there on one...?

Hello all,

I have been looking for ages for a forum which might be frequented by people on an EdD programme - i'm a little lonely and lost out there :thinking:

I have been enrolled on an EdD programme in the UK for almost 2 years now. I am taking it part time alongside my role as a lecturer - in a different area (though still broadly humanities) - at a University.

So, I have an undergrad and Masters in the area I lecture in (I was fortunate to apply for and get the job i'm in without a PhD at the time - long story). After a few years of doing this job my interests developed, leading me to want to take the education aspect further. I completed a PGDip in education, just short of an MA and then sought out the EdD programme - coincidentally my workplace were entering into a partnership with another institution to offer such provision, so I signed up. It's distance learning, with a couple teaching weekends through the year; though the support across the cohort has been mixed. Most seem to have little support - i've had almost none and am finding it hard to keep myself motivated to continue. The cohort are mostly in Education already and seem to have better support networks in place. I am changing direction to a degree and have noone to talk to in my dept. One supervisor had little clue about what my area and then did not respond to any emails until I got one saying they were on sick leave (back now - still nothing). The other supervisor is lovely and helpful face-to-face but I can't help feeling like it's a bit of a scam - get the fees off you then let you drift. I understand this is mostly independent research - but not getting replies to emails or anything constructive/directed in terms of feedback is leaving me floundering. I have been reading and reading and making lots of notes etc - my ideas have changed a number of times to where they now seem to have settled but I still feel isolated and, as work gets busier, lacking motivation or the will to do it and know what to do. I email such things to my assigned tutors/supervisors but to no avail.

Just wondered if anyone else has this experience or what I should do - sorry to seem like a negative cookie; I do try not to be!

Best,
MCHD

 

I did a different doctorate, but I can say that my supervisors were both amazing. They generally got back to me right away. It's a lonely process and it's hard to stay motivated, without the encouragement of your supervisors - they made all the difference. It's an important role, and if you can't establish some ground rules on how promptly yours will respond to you, then maybe you'd do better to bring somebody else on board if that's possible.

That being said, my supervisors weren't particularly directive at all - it was clear that I was driving the process, and they would offer advice when asked about something specific. You just have to keep pushing and pushing - I must have considered giving up a dozen times! Good luck with it...

 

MCHD,

The lonelyness you describe is extremely prevelant in research doctoral programs, like the PhD, ScD/DSc, and EdD. Students complete the coursework, which feels like a master's degree program, but when they enter the dissertation phase of the program the independent research becomes overwhelmingly isolated, lonesome, and . . . well, terribly independent.

I experienced this when I was in a PhD program at a state school. I completed the coursework, passed the qualifying examinations, and advanced to candidacy. At which point, I felt I'd been left to figure out how to conduct original research and learn the various research methodologies, like phenomenology, grounded theory, and mixed methods on my own. I won't bore you with the details of my particular situation. The short version is that the university fired all of the faculty, moved the program I was in from the Molecular and Microbiology Department to (gasp) the School of Public Policy. Students, like me, fled the program with a booby prize -- a master of science degree. Other students threatened to sue the university for breech of contract.

I'm glad I, later, found a doctoral program that recognized that too many doctoral candidates remain ABD (all but dissertation) because they are left alone and neglected when it is time to conduct their independent research. I'm not sure I could have worked full time while completing my dissertation without the increased level of attention and support that I received from my doctoral adviser and committee members.

Have you found the Phinished discussion forums on the Web? Many doctoral students go their to commiserate with fellow students and candidates. People there might be good sources of study and research tips and helpful information. I was fortunate to have fellow classmates and helpful faculty; but for doctoral candidates at schools that are less family like, Phinished and other similar websites might be a good resource. At least you will quickly see that you are not alone. Best of luck!

Steve