I know DI has a fair number of members that earned an online doctorate. For those that earned it at least a year ago how satisfied are you with it? Are you meeting your goals? Do you wish you would have earned it elsewhere? And most important, would you do it again?
I earned my online doctorate (PhD Organization/Management) in March 2009 from Capella University. Overall, I am very satisfied with the degree. I teach at a small liberal arts University as an Assistant Professor, which was the primary goal for the doctorate. If I had to do it again, I would consider Capella, but Valdosta State would be on my list as well. In addition, if an affordable AACSB accredited DL doctorate becomes available, the AACSB option would jump to the top of the list. Shawn
I completed my NCU PhD in December of 2010. Overall I am very happy with it. My primary goal was to get it done – that was all. The secondary goal was to gain more adjunct opportunities. I have picked up one more school and started to teach graduate level instead of undergrad at another school. It is meeting my expectations. Bear in mind I have not applied for any more teaching jobs since I am at my limit between teaching and working a corporate position. I have spent the past 12 years travelling extensively for my corporate position. One of my criteria for a PhD program was not to have a residency. I would not take my vacation to do a residency – that would be quite an issue at home. If I had to do it all over again I would more strongly consider Nova but would probably still go with NCU. I have gotten a raise with my PhD and should make about $3K and year more (raise from masters to PhD at schools I already taught at) and my PhD cost about $3K out of pocket so it is a one year payback period. To “test” my PhD I applied for a position at the local liberal arts college and it was for a tenure track management professor. I was called for an interview but declined. I have no desire to teach at a campus and if I when to teaching full time it would be online only. With an online PhD that should fit the bill just fine.
I have not earned a doctoral degree but I just wanted to comment that I think this is a particularly good question to ask.
