ROI of an Aspen EdD

I wouldn't choose to live in CA for any amount of money but they are definitely very liberal when it comes to education and acceptance requirements. I am sure you are fine but it definitely helps to check.

 

But the weather is so nice on the coast....

 

why ?
CA is beautiful. The north is so different from the south and the south is so different from central CA. It has such a wide assortment of geographies, climates and animal life.

mountains - images
california mountains - Google Search

deserts - images
california desert - Google Search

seashores - images
california seashore - Google Search

napa valley wine country - images
california napa valley - Google Search

death valley - images
california death valley - Google Search

it has it all: huge sprawling cities, small quaint cozy country towns, snow covered mountains, extremely hot desert below sea level

 

You sound like my Canadian in-laws. My father in-law said he wouldn't give a dime for all of California! LOL! This place drives me nuts sometimes too. I live near the beach and it is a zoooooo here this time of year.

 

Wow, awesome pics! Are you from the Chamber of Commerce? Yea it's nice. I live just off the beach on Orange County and I always begin to hate it this time of year because of the crowds. People park, block my driveway and then go to the beach, stuff like that. It's really compacted around here but the weather is awesome.

 

Why? Because their laws are horrible, I couldn't own half the guns I do, their welfare programs are disastrous, this list goes on. I won't even go into their current budget crisis (since other states are having issues as well, just not on their level).

No doubt it is one of the most gorgeous states and they have a lot to offer but mainly the political environment is outrageous. There are currently a large portion of CA people that are moving to my current state of AK and are changing the political climate here as well. Hopefully we have a deep freeze and they go running.

 

That seems pretty ridiculous to me.

 

How about you warm your seat up before you start throwing punches around the table? You don't know if that was said in jest or not. Chill out!

 

To each his/her own. When I finally get my PhD, I will not make anyone call me Doctor, students and folks alike. That is just my preference. Some do, others do not. I think it is an honor to be called one. My wife told me she will make her students call her doctor. I am fine with Mr. as long as I respect them and they me.

 

who are you?

 

+1.

If/when I do my doctorate the only person I will insist on addressing me as "Doctor" is my older sister....that will show her for being more successful than me!

 

Take it as you wish...and welcome to the board.

 

Well, as a building principal, I believe the most important things in securing a job are:
1) Previous experience
2) Proper licensure
3) Who you know
4) timing
5) willingness to relocate

 

I'm sorry to say but your analysis is not taking into consideration the most important cost that is opportunity cost.Calculate the number of hours it would take to finish the degree and multiply it by your hourly rate. Imagine that instead of doing the EdD you decide to use the time to tutor privately ( lets say$25 dollars an hour) and do the math.

I personally wouldn't consider any ROI that gives you less than 10%. There are plenty investment options that can give you at least a 10%.

 

This is an important point. However, I think it is safe to say that an Aspen EdD is less risky than the average doctorate for few reasons. The professional doctorate tends to focus more on practical applications of theory and normally doesn't require the generation of new theory that is the main challenge for some doing traditional PhDs. As online doctorates are designed for working professionals, they tend to be more flexible and leniant than the average doctorate. Still a lot of people dropout but this is mainly attributed to the open admissions policy of the online schools and not to the program itself as a many just don't have the level of commitment required.

There is also the personal satisfaction factor that should be taken into consideration. This might not give you money but it makes you happy that is the main purpose of being in this planet.

 

If you're going to put all the effort required to earn a doctorate, it seems foolish to me to get one that is DETC when there are plenty RA programs around that cost little more.

If you are already teaching, the cost of an EdD would be tax-deductible.

 

I can see the value in a RA degree, but please don't say it is foolish to get a DETC degree.

 

I see your point but I also see his. If he is not trying to teach in a state university somewhere AND he may get an increase in salary from his DETC doctorate AND it is much less expensive then why not. Tax deductible may not outweight paying 20,000 more to end up in the same place (with a respectable accredited doctorate).

Personally, it sounds to me like Mr. Oliver has a strong pull towards earning an accredited doctorate. My guess is that unless he does a S. African PhD he will not find one at the cost of the Aspen EdD.

PS He could fork over 40-50,000 for a UofP doctorate that may not have more utility. Yes it is RA but the level of respect for it is not there. In other words, a solid affordable, DETC doctorate may meet his needs (provided he is not trying to become faculty at Harvard on the basis of it). He could do one from NCU but then again, is it really going to have that much more utlilty.

 

May be that is the answer, the PhD from South Africa has the respect that he needs, it is cheap and opens the doors for University teaching. It is a more difficult degree as it is research based but he mentioned that he needs the challenge so this could be the deal that he needs.

 

Mr. Oliver needs an accredited degree, and for his purposes, the DETC EdD meets his needs. He will get a pay increase because of it, and it will pay for itself very quickly.

The other option? 20k - 50k in debt with interest, dipping into retirement savings, etc. Wise, hell no, not in this economy.

I will give two real life scenarios. My neighbor Gary wanted to obtain a degree in architecture from a top notch school here in Southern Cali (The O.C.). He got in debt for a whole shite load of duckets, and now owes interest on top of the tuition. Chingos! (With a capital C for emphasis). Then, his hours got cut. Now he is in a real shite hole. He can't pay his $4,000.00 mortgage, and everyone is on his arse for money. So he got that fancy buckskin, can't get a job in that field due to no OJT, will probably lose his house, and he will still have that pesky loan hanging over his neck like a anvil on chain.

Then there is me. I have a RA AA, NA BS, and a NA MBA. No loans, no interest - NADA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I drive a sweet late model MBZ with custom wheels and tires, my wife and I go out to nice dinners when we want, or we travel locally or abroad when the fancy hits us. Did my education work out well for me? Hells YESSSSS! (with a capital Y for emphasis).

The point to these real life stories, everyone has to make decisions based on their needs. For the price of an Aspen EdD, he just can't go wrong. Based on where he is at in his career, and his time of life, he has made a good decision.

Abner