"The Dissertation"

Comparing the increase of RA online doctorates with in-resident doctorates?

Good point. IMO, doing a dissertation via distance learning is significantly harder. Those who attempt such an endeavor are in for an uncomfortable awakening. Conversely, doing an in-resident dissertation is significantly hard, as is evidenced by the non-ballooning recipients of doctoral degrees. Holders of Associate, Bachelors and Masters degrees has been ballooning for several years now. It would be interesting to compare the rate-of-increase of RA online doctorates with RA in-resident doctorates to see if one has a greater per capita increase of growth than the other.

 

I am doing a dissertation in-residence right now, but the feeling is exactly like when I was a DL student at Heriot-Watt.

I have an office at UF I could use, but then I would have to pay $250 for a decal, gas money, and time, just for a chance to find a parking spot. My committee members are busy, so when I do find them to talk, they usually tell me to send them an email. Journal articles and dissertations I can access online. Dealing with the on-campus libraries is a hassle, so if there is a book that I need, I usually just purchase it used off Amazon.com. I just stay home, or go to a bookstore or coffee shop to do work.

So for those of you that are thinking there is a big difference between doing a dissertation as an on-campus student vs. a DL student, I can assure you there is not.

 

Who was it that said the key to a smooth running university was sex for the students, football for the alumni, and parking for the faculty?

When I was on faculty at SDSU, one of my students dropped by my office for a chat. When he left, he said he was heading to the parking office. I said something like, "You're going to buy your parking pass?" He looked at me wearily and said, "Oh, no, this isn't a parking pass. It's a hunting license! (Things improved a few years later with the construction of a parking garage.)

 

This is a great reality-slap in the B&M vs. DL debate.

 

And I though it was beer all the time!

 

Doctor, is it terminal?

Well, it's been over two months since I graduated with a terminal degree -- a doctorate. Yes folks, it's terminal for me because that's it! I can't imagine enrolling in another collegiate certificate-program or degree granting program of any sort. In retrospect, I can't believe that I've done what I've done. It just seems impossible because I've come soooooo far. When I first visited DegreeInfo.com, I didn't even have a Bachelors degree, although I had read Dr. John Bear's book back around 1987 (?), which kindled my flame in learning how to obtain a non-traditional regionally accredited Bachelors degree. Little did I know (at that time) that it would eventually morph into a doctorate. Dr. Bear's book introduced me to non-traditional Bachelors degrees and DegreeInfo.com introduced me to non-traditional doctoral degrees!

It's interesting to read all the posts of eager students who are anxiously seeking ways to complete all different kinds of college programs. They are all filled with vim, vinegar, enthusiasm and dreams.

Folks, it's called a terminal degree for a reason.

Ahhhhh there's just too much excitement around here!!! LOL

 

I'd like to offer my congratulations me again (I'm not sure I did it before). You've done something that I hope to do but I haven't yet managed. I hope that you stick around to lend your perspective and experience to others with similar goals.

 

If I have said it already - congratulations. I must say I am jealous. I finished the comps class and it nearly killed me and I just turned in my Topic Paper for RSH8961-B. Only two more RSH courses left. Thanks for the advice...but I am starting to get nervous.

 

I used to think that, too.

 

I just finished the last research class and had my dissertation proposal approved by my chair, which makes me ABD.

The third research class is very straight forward, and in the forth one you put everything together and negotiate completion of the dissertation proposal (part one, part two comes from IRB review later). The only real challenge here was to turn the literature review into a coherent 80 pages from the annotated bibliography. This probably took me about a month.

You’ll make it no problem; you are getting close to the end of the tunnel.

 

But is that a train coming at me???

 

No, that would be the explosion created by firing protons towards each other at high-speed in the newly-constructed 27 kilometre particle accelerator (http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/the-big-bang/id_31701/catid_5). Beware the black hole!

 

I was told by my adviser that you become ABD when the University officially send you a letter. So, this process had changed?

 

So, more to come?

 

It takes forever for the letter to arrive and it's pretty short. Fireworks won't go off when you unseal it. It's sent after all the RSH (research) courses are finished; then you only have the remaining DIS (dissertation) courses to complete -- and that's where the fun really begins! Seriously, if you can make it through the RSH courses, then you can complete the DIS courses.

 

Well, I am kind of when trough the process once (even if does not count for many people or places), in some way I am coasting trough it, because I know what to expect. Still it is not easy, but is possible to reach. I am still deciding if I should continue studying. One more thing I might consider, that is if I am able to get a grant for it, is law school(yeah, like society needs more lawyers, but reality of the truth society is run by laws).

 

Honestly, to me the ABD will be unimportant, other than just to finish the darn degree. I know ABD will get you to places but finishing will be more important.

Get it done no matter what!

 

A dissertation may not always be required to receive a Ph.D.

One of my acquaintances hold a Ph.D. from Notre Dame in engineering. A dissertation requirement was waived and his doctorate granted based on his funded research and published papers (plus coursework). He is a professor at a RA B&M university.

A second Ph.D. I know, now doing her post-doc, graduated a year ago from a UC California school in bio-chemistry. It was discussed whether or not a formal dissertation was required and finally the department decided she should convert her papers into a dissertation I have a copy on my book shelf - possibly the only time I will have my name mentioned in a dissertation - its in the acknowedgements).

I do know others pursuing engineering and applied math doctorates (part time at B&M schools) with their dissertations being based their regular research work at a major aerospace company.

 

Very good points! Their doctorates were apparently awarded based upon demonstrated research that had already been accomplished. However, for the rest of us, the dissertation is the final culmination of "making it -- or not."

 

This is how I would describe my experience. I found it to be challenging, but fun and exciting. I became even more excited after publishing a journal article the second year of study. When I asked my supervisor for permission to publish a second article, he gave me the go-ahead but cautioned me to remember the final goal. Along the way he encouraged me to do conference papers, which I did.

I completed the second draft of my dissertation just over a month ago. It's close to 450 pages (double-spaced). I have a few months to get it polished and professionally edited. My supervisor and two readers believe it's ready to defend. My official submission period is next spring.

Initially, I wanted to submit this year. But I decided a few months wouldn't hurt. Besides, it would give me time to relax and a chance to make the work stronger.

Roscoe