No Dissert PhD/DBA or DPA

Looking for a PhD, or DB/PA with no Dissertation from a "Regionally Accredited" school, via DL only (if one exists). Specialization not important.

Thanks

 

I certainly hope this does not exist.

 

No such animal exists, DL or otherwise.

 

To be a "real" doctorate in the academic sense, it must include a dissertation/project with an original contribution to the discipline. Otherwise, you might consider pursuing one of the professional degrees such as an MD or JD. Ironically, MDs think they are the only "real" doctors...

Dave

 

Although not what the original poster was asking for, Southern Methodist University has a Doctor of Engineering degree that does not require a "discertation" but instead requires a Praxis project (whatever Praxis means.) This project doesn't have to contribute anything original to the area, but instead has to take a theoretical design (taken from academia) to a concrete implementation. The report that accompanies this project is only considered a "professional report" and is not nearly as in depth as a discertation.

 

It simply is not a doc (at least an academic doc) if it does not have the original research.

 

There are plenty of RA Psy.D. programs that don't require a dissertation. Most however require a research project, in depth case study or a comprehensive literature review or something similar. I don't think any can be done entirely by distance at least at an RA school.

 

There are a few RA programs that will (depending on the academic discipline) allow a special project in lieu of a dissertation, where the project (typically in the realm of art) can be considered an original and substantial contribution to the human body of knowledge… but even then, they typically include a follow-up academic paper with many of the elements you would expect in a dissertation (substantial literature/body of art review, needs analysis, etc.).

Cheers,
Tony Maranto

 

Thanks for Answers

I thought that this were the case, but a coworker swore to me that they had come accross a program out there, but conveniently didn't remember or recall which institution.

Regards

 

Hi JoAnn,

discertation

A rigorous doctoral program must require a dissertation

 

All legitimate doctoral programs require the preparation of a final document demonstrating scholarly methods and presentation which is evaluated by a properly credentialed doctoral committee. However, that final project need not be a dissertation (although that is most common). The following is a post and some research I did on a similar question a few months ago:

"I've had a chance to research this a little further and found a few examples of non-traditional approaches. Also a paper describing some of the changes in doctoral studies written by the Executive Director of Doctoral Programs, University of Maryland University College, May 2001. From that paper: "A Council of Graduate Schools study (1991) of arts & sciences programs found that 19% had officially approved other options for the dissertation."

http://polaris.umuc.edu/~edent/rethinkDM3.htm

1. Case Western Reserve - DBA (three publishable articles in lieu of dissertation.)

2. Cranfield University - DBA (three research projects)

3. Union Institute - PhD (Project Demonstrating Excellence - this can be a traditional dissertation or a final project such as a social action project or article(s) with a contextual document to anchor the project to scholarly issues)"

 

I think this is one!

http://www.ctu-coloradosprings.com/programs/index.asp

This program is not 100% DL but is RA. I sent them an e-mail asking if it was going to be offered DL but no response. This is the B/M side of CTU Online.

I hope some of the senior folks on the board can give feedback because when I finish my MSM I want to continue on..


Thanx