Looking for Low Cost PhD Program

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Massalocin, Jul 17, 2004.

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  1. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    Hello folks - I need your help.

    I know that this question has been asked numerous times on this discussion board (but I've been having problems locating the relevant threads through the search engine, so here goes...)

    I'm looking for a low-cost Phd Program (i.e. less than $20K US) in business or management studies with the following conditions:

    - The university must be accredited
    - Delivery of the program must be via distance education (100% online prefered, but not mandatory if the program is based in the US or Canada)
    - I would also consider a program from a UK or Australian university (however, any program available from either country would have to be delivered 100% online).

    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    University of Leicester's Doctorate in Social Sciences (Human Resources) for about $15K.

    Heriot-Watt University's DBA for a little more than $20,000.
     
  3. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    Rich,

    Perhaps there is a deal for American students that I am unaware of , but Heriot Watt's DBA, as posted in their website, costs about 20,000 pounds, provided one finishes his/her thesis in two years. Is this correct?

    On a different note, does anyone know how much is the average time students take to complete a doctoral dissertation for a British DBA program?

    Greetings
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 17, 2004
  4. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    From Rich Douglas:
    Thanks Rich - I've just checked them out and the program appears to fit the bill. I'll include this option to my "preferred" list.

    The search continues.....
     
  5. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I have the idea that there are doctoral programs in business at Charles Sturt University and Southern Cross University. I don't know the costs but typically Australian schools are a bit less expensive than British schools (except those Anthropology programs at Lampeter). Also, you didn't mention ZA, but if you're really interested in saving money you should at least look at the programs at UNISA. Good luck,
    Jack
     
  6. Ultimale

    Ultimale New Member

    Any here in the US?

    are there any here in the US?
     
  7. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Re: Any here in the US?

    I can not be certain that I'm correct as this is not a specific interest of mine but I'd bet that it's the 20K cost restriction that keeps the original poster out of the US market. Everything else is workable.
    Jack
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Re: Re: Any here in the US?

    NCU is $24,225 if you transfer in 30 graduate credits. It is RA and 100% online.
     
  9. Ultimale

    Ultimale New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Any here in the US?

    Thanks Randall and Jack,
    If I was getting a Phd in the same major/concentration as my masters, are these the 30 credits you are referring to?
     
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Any here in the US?

    Yes and No. My masters is in information tech management and 30 credits were accepted for a PhD in Business Admin .

    My first choice was a concentration in management and I changed after the eval to MIS. The 30 credits still applied. It does not seem to need to be a class-for-class match.

    I do not need to take the General Management and Marketing classes at NCU; they transfer from TUI. I need to take only 51 credits from NCU for my PhD.

    Hope this makes sense and helps.
     
  11. Ultimale

    Ultimale New Member

    Thanks a lot

    Thanks Randall,
    That helps a lot. i have NCU bookmarked, so I will contact them when I get a little closer to finishing my MBA.
     
  12. J. Ayers

    J. Ayers New Member

    Good afternoon!

    Exchange rates have been battering the dollar in recent months, so the price tag for Leicester's program may exceed the US$15,000 noted earlier in this thread. Also, they award the DSocSci (HRD) not the PhD upon completion of the distance learning doctorate (the PhD is available in the traditional format). With those caveats noted, however, it is my opinion that this is an interesting and challenging program. If you are interested in interdisciplinary topics such as knowledge management or organizational learning, the Centre for Labour Market Studies at the University of Leicester can offer good opportunities. Feel free to post a response or send me a PM if you would like first-hand information.

    Good luck in your search for the right program.
     
  13. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    Thanks for your post, J. Ayers.

    The full title of the DSocSci (HRD) is the "Doctor of Social Science in Human Resource Development".

    What's the difference between the above and a PhD?

    I should clarify my purpose - If I ever get the desire to teach at the college/university level, is the DSocSci generally deemed to be an acceptable qualification (compared to the PhD designation)?

    Looking foward to your (or anyboby's) response.
     
  14. J. Ayers

    J. Ayers New Member

    Good afternoon again!

    While I can try to provide some information regarding the DSocSci versus PhD issue, the simple answer is -- I don't know. I would like to teach as an adjunct someday, and I believe a doctorate in social science will meet that need. However, I also think the PhD is the more recognized credential. If you are thinking about a full-time, tenure-track position, then you should consider the implications of the degree award.

    The U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-research-doctorate.html states:

    "The best-known research doctorate title awarded in the United States is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). However, there are a number of other doctoral titles that enjoy the same status and represent variants of the Ph.D. within certain fields. All of them have similar content requirements. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes the following degrees as equivalent to the Ph.D.:

    Doctor of Arts (D.A.)
    <snip many degree titles>
    Doctor of Social Science
    <snip more titles>"

    According to the CLMS staff at the University of Leicester, the two degrees are of the same academic level and standing. The key difference is in the delivery method, with the PhD in the traditional British model of "thesis only" research as opposed to the DSocSci with its hybrid "taught element" and "thesis" components. The courses are described at http://www.clms.le.ac.uk/courses/ on the web.

    To be perfectly frank, I think the DSocSci will not be as recognized as the PhD. Leicester is not the only university with a DSocSci (e.g., Bristol has one in policy studies), but the award is not common. That is one of the reasons why I pointed out the difference in award in my reply to your initial posting. I believe the DSocSci program offered by CLMS at U of L is excellent, but I cannot recommend it to you if you need a PhD to meet your future needs.

    If I can provide further information, please let me know.

    Regards,

    J. Ayers
     
  15. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Leicester's DSocSci program consists of 8 courses and a 50,000-word dissertation. It will take about 3-4 years to complete, and involves an in-person dissertation defense.
     
  16. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    Thanks again J. Ayers.

    I've checked out the Dept. of Education website. Given that the The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes the DSocSci as being equivalent to the Ph.D., my perspective is that this is a strong indicator of it's acceptance in academia. Nevertheless, and to be sure, I will simply poll a number of universities' respective HR Departments and ask the question directly.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2004
  17. warguns

    warguns Member

    DrSocSc

    I don't doubt that this unusually named degree is the equivelent to a PhD but I have to agree with other posters that it would be a disadvantage in the job market.

    Reviewing ads in the various subjcets in The Chronicle of Higher Education "http://chronicle.com/jobs/browse/field/" indicates that most positions specify PhD/ DBA and few "doctorate"

    Syracuse University offered a Doctor of Social Science degree (non-DL) years ago. The graduates had trouble with this issue and they were all converted to PhD's. Quite a deal for them, because the original DSSc did NOT require a disseration!
     
  18. blaketots

    blaketots New Member

    I am an adjunct instructor at a community college and wish to pursue my PhD via DL. I teach Accounting courses and am hesitant to get my doctorate from a non ACCSB-accredited school. Anyone have any opinions on this?
     

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