Louisiana Baptist University

Barry,

You were able to complete your Ph.D. in two years?

Most RA/GAAP Ph.D. programs I have seen require a minimum of three years--and up to seven. Even the D.Min. (at least the one I completed at Erskine, dissertation included) required a minimum of three years. The Potchefstroom Ph.D. program requires a three year minimum.

My observation in noting this is that there will always be points of disagreement over quantitative/qualitative degree programs, pedagogical paradigms, methodologies, etc. There are indeed those who have earned residential Ph.D.'s which took 4-5 years to complete, who would look with disdain on a 2 year program from Fielding--I certainly don't but some would. Likewise, if one can find a substantive degree program, which may or may not be RA, and the degree meets their objectives, then great. I think we all agree that a non-RA degree will not have the same utility as the RA version. And of course, no one is alluding to degree mill credentials, which are foolish in any context.

Russell

 

I concur fully with your statement, Bruce. This has for some time been a contention point with me. At the same time, there are indeed some subsantive programs which are not RA--Bob Jones, Pensacola, certainly no piece of cake.

But I think a good portion of schools which fall under the umbrella of "religious" are no more than degree mills.

Russell

 

No. It was 3.5 years. As I've explained in the past, Fielding grants a MA in OD on the way.

I started the Fielding Ph.D. in early 1997 - after being admited just prior to earning my MBA. I completed all requirements for the Ph.D. in Aug. 2000.

As well, I had the unique opportunity to be a full time student my last year.

Again, all the work was in the Ph.D. program. Fielding grants a MA after you complete a number of knowledge areas and a few reviews.

 

Hi Russell. Unfortunately, your assumptions were wrong - but it's mostly because the Fielding program is different than others. Fielding is not a two year program - nor an 'any-year program'. It's designed to get done when you get it done. But I do understand the "record" is two years - but it is extremely unusual. (I ain't that smart.) I'd guess the average is more in the 4-6 year range.

Some of my friends who started with me are still in the program. Again, my full time opportunity helped quite a bit.

Either way, I don't have any hang ups with time to complete. If someone is focused, competent and has the available free time to complete the work in two years, so be it. That wasn't me tho ...

 

Hey Russell: I'm going to e-mail you when I get off. I really like this forum; I thought honest argument and respectful debate was what I would find in a secular college--oh well, better late than never.

Hey Russell and Barry: The time issue is interesting. I went to UCR with a subject area MA and it took five years just to finish comps and courses--I found the languages to be the most time consuming part. (I had to do Old English and Italian).
Barry asks that if a person is of great ability should they be called Dr.? Well, I know Ben Franklin was. How about Bill Cosby's Ed.D.? That is not a normally honorary degree. What about honorary degrees, in general, what do you think?
I am thinking of Dr. Richard Leaky and Dr. Jane Goodall and their semi-academic, semi honorary degrees. No US RA school will give you a doctorate (earned) based on published work, no matter how impressive. Falwell has only honorary doctorates, and he has his own RA university. For that matter, UK research doctorates seem kind of skimpy to me. You would not have to question their level of course work, Barrry; they don't have any. Of course their MA does not have any either.
What do you guys think of Landmark Baptist, BJU, and Bethany BC? If you know how (I don't) to start a new thread on BJU or Landmark, that would be great.

Craig

 

I see two reasons:

1. Create a religious exemption, and they will come. If a loophole is created for Constitutional reasons, there are plenty of unscrupulous operators out there to fill it. It's ironic though, since religion is usually so closely associated with ethics.

2. The nature of the beast. Religion is a field in which the standards of traditional scholarship don't always apply. Religion is a personal practice as well as an intellectual inquiry. There are often faith commitments that are expected and that define the space inside which acceptable academic pursuits take place. Some religious schools move much farther in that direction than I would like, to the point that scholarship seems to me to be replaced by preaching.

 

My apologies, Barry. I thought from looking at your listing of degrees that the Ph.D. was earned in two years.

Russell,
Also a RA advocate--95% of the time.

 

Things like minimum time requirements really irk me. I agree with Barry, if you can do all the work required for a Ph.D. in two years, then have at it (I won't be one of them). Steve Levicoff was a "two-year wonder" at Union, but anyone who read his program plan & dissertation when it was online will tell you he didn't skimp.

I wonder how much of these minimum requirements are driven by financial concerns rather than academic? I think that if Capella had their way, every doctoral student would take one course per quarter, spending about 6 years in the program, the tuition clock ticking the whole time.


Bruce

 

Bruce,
I supposed Capella would let you go the full 6 years, but so would any other for profit --oh, gads, here we go again --- but Capella will let you get it done in two years if you can maintain focus and motivation - I did it in just a little over two years and a couple of my colleagues did it it two flat.

------------------
Howard Rodgers

 

Oh, I know. It's just that when I was looking at Capella last year, I got a lot of "advice" from them that I should only attempt one course per quarter. I just wondered where their concerns were, with me or with my checkbook (for the record I think Capella is a great school).


Bruce