Faulkner PhD in Health Sciences, 18 Months Min

Faulkner University, a Christian non-profit B&M in Alabama, offers an online PhD in Health Sciences it states can be completed in 18 months. The program intends to prepare graduates for "administrative, academic, and clinical settings."

The first phase of 10 courses x 3 = 30 sh can be completed in one year. Then the 15 sh dissertation phase "can be completed in six months, depending on the student."

Courses are 5 weeks with rolling admissions and 10 entry points each year. Admissions requires a graduate degree in health sciences or related, minimum GPA 3.0.

(780 per sh tuition + 75 per sh online course fee) x 45 sh = 38 475, plus general fee of 350 per semester (or 250 if 5 sh or less).

Faulkner University is affiliated with the Churches of Christ [Restoration movement], the same denomination as Amberton, Pepperdine, and others.

 

The program director holds a DPT and is pursuing a DHsc. at Liberty University.

 

A dissertation in 6 months, to earn a PhD?

Run by a guy who didn't write a dissertation in his first doctorate and won't write one in his second?

Doesn't that grind your gears?

 

Yeah, that's interesting. I think a minimum of an academic year is more realistic. IRB approval (depending on the school) may take a few months. Writing and revising five chapters in 6 months seems like a stretch.

 

Healthcare seems to be the common theme with many of these fast paced doctorates as of late.

 

I think that's because the EdD market is saturated and both education and healthcare are full of people wanting to move "off the line" and into administration.

 

That’s a good point. Other than the self paced CBE South College EdD, are there many other EdDs marketing this speed? Selfishly, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of this in the DIT space.

 

A quick search shows Spalding, Rockhurst, ACE all identifying 2 year EdD. I'm sure there are more on this board.

 

Oh absolutely, two years is easy to find. Those marketing 18 month doctorates stand out.

 

TESU was supposed to eventually offer an 18-month track for their DBA. It looks like they've given up on that. OSU does not advertise that their Doctor of Forensic Science is 12 months or 18 months, but if you're transferring in 30 credits, it should be possible to finish in 12 months. I posted a DMin that can be completed in fewer than 1.5 years; that was South College's CBE program. Colorado State University has a 42-credit doctor of engineering, but I don't know what the typical completion time is.

 

This sounds sooo interesting, But I doubt if I need to tackle anything other than my Phd Leadership at Cumberland at this time

 

Hi,
Cody Thompson, director of the Faulkner PhD HS program here. I actually get the questioning looks as people "pass by". It isn't a "normal" or traditional program or "normal" completion time. But I encourage each and any one of you to fire away questions to me if you have interest. Find some of our students on LinkedIn and see what they say. We are into the first 12 dissertations in the 6 month process, and so far so good.

Dustin, your comments about me are unfortunate. My completion of a dissertation (I'm finishing my EdD elsewhere other than LU after a bad experience there attempting to finish my dissertation) has nothing to do with the quality of the program, as our dissertation director has completed a dissertation and has served on multiple dissertation committees, so she has a well-oiled machine with the dissertation process. My qualifications (along with completion of the terminal degree) were and are more than enough for this role for SACSCOC, so that really should be sufficient. No need to criticize.

I know, less than traditional things often make us uncomfortable. I would encourage you to ask questions that come to mind.


Cody

 

Welcome to DegreeInfo, Dr. Thompson!

Please read skeptical notes from Dustin as others here as constructive. Every participant here is a supporter of high-quality distance, hybrid, and nontraditional higher ed. Most participants here are consumers and a good number are educators. We're also open-minded to delivery models, schedules, etc. that push traditional edges. Participants will raise issues and questions, sometimes tough ones.

If your program delivers outcomes where it matters equivalent to its peers, I think the community here would love to see it succeed.

 

Hi Dr Thompson, thanks for joining the board and I appreciate your sharing of those details. I do hope the program works for the students that enroll, and I echo Jonathan that even though members of this board often approach new programs with skepticism, we want them to succeed. We've seen lots of schools try to push the envelope (on speed, cost, or other metrics) and not deliver, which is frustrating for students and faculty alike. I hold 3 online degrees and working on a 4th, so I'm definitely not opposed to innovation.

My reference to your qualifications reflected a concern about the school's ability to produce competent PhDs if the program was being led by someone without one, but it sounds like that may not be an issue. Your reminder of SACSOC approval is well-taken.

 

Thanks for the responses, Dustin and Jonathan. I completely get it; no hard feelings at all. And thanks for the welcome!