Update from me: Grenoble and beyond.....

Sorry I have been MIA. I graduated last year from Grenoble and have been trying to get my publishing front active, so have been sparce. I see that my inbox had new questions, all surrounding Grenoble and my experiences.

I wanted to throw in one specific reply, then see if anyone had questions.

Do I find any non-acceptance of the degree in the academic setting?
I have found some bias. The bias is not in the school (though most do not recognize it in the US, as some US professors are not of international in nature, so I just bring an outline of Grenoble and their crudentials), but I have found a bias in a part time non-campus based program. To this front, I have no defense, but that I bring industry experience and a non-campus based program. Some professors like the traditional "educationa only" model, and frown upon the newbies havign industry experience, but hey - that is my skin, so I wear it. I do also think it was much more difficult not being on campus full time, but this shows persistence and commitment. That is how I try to phrase it.

The other question I get again and again is the research front. The models are a bit different from Europe and the States, so I learned the hard way to get published by the recognized US journals, not the international outlets.

Anyway, ask me anything. I do know that there have been changes from the program front and I can't talk to that, but I will be happy to share my experience.

 

Han, thank you for posting. I wish I was closer to starting my DBA but I have at least 3 years left before I start. But I hope others have lots of questions for you.

Are you looking for a tenure -track position?

Good luck to you.

 

Han,

Long time, no see!!

Welcome back, and please stick around longer this time!

 

Hi Han,

I do have one question for you: How long did this part-time DBA take? I know full-time on-campus programs in Europe are around 3-4 years and part-time programs about 6+ years...

I noticed that the Grenoble DBA is 4 years part-time on their website... have you ever been asked about the length of time it took you?

 

Yes, I will be attending the big conference to see what is out there and already have been offered a few, but I have some family constraints on where I am able to move..... when I know something, I will post.

 

It took my 5 years, and yes, I have that question a great deal. I had corporate funding and time to work on the project in my work day, so that lessens that issue for me personally. I think if you get out in less time, it would not be a good thing - for the rigor of the program and to get a good dissertation (with publishable findings) is very demanding.

 

Of course, I missed you guys.

 

Han, what was the age range and average age of your cohort?

If you could characterize the type of student, what percentage were business practitioners, current professors, consultants -- other?

Thanks.

 

Han,

Oh my gosh. A big blast from the past. I am so glad to see you. I am also glad things are working out for you. Could not happen to a nicer person.

 

Huge span, I think the youngest was about 28, oldest about 65. Most were business practioners, with a couple that were aspiring to be in academia full time (maybe 2 professors, 1 Dean), and a large number in industry, and adjuncting, maybe a couple of consultants.

 

Hi Han, sorry to nitpick... But don't you mean just over 3 years? You enrolled in November 2003 and you said you received your doctorate in April 2007. The only reason I'm asking is because the Grenoble DBA was one of my first choices and the length to complete was an issue. Sorry, if I misread the forum postings.

I have always had issue with the time it takes to complete these doctorates. My experience is that reading and a literature review may take 3 years or its own, not counting the actual case studies or experiments.

 

How are the entrance requirements for the Grenoble DBA? GMAT requirements?

 

Scott,

I guess Grenoble must be doing something right. I did mine at USQ and it took them about 9 months just to review my last draft and examine it. This is almost a year from the date of submission of the last draft. I wonder how this school manage this record time for completion.

In my case, it took them about a year just to approve a dissertation proposal and about a year of extra courses. Right there is already 3 years without counting the time that actually takes to write the dissertation. I don't think a DBA that is credible can be finished in less than 5 years. Sometimes it takes just about a year to publish something and this is assuming that they accept your work for publication at the first attempt.

Han should not have a hard time getting a tenure track since his degree is AACSB accredited. He might need to take few courses here and there to qualify to teach something in demand such as accounting or supply chain management. The key is to specialize in a field with demand but once you have the DBA from an AACSB accredited school, the rest should be try to take extra courses in a field in demand.

 

My understanding is that it can take close to one year from last draft to doctorate. So, if a doctorate is completed in 3 years (part-time), the final draft probably went in just after the second year. By the time the examiners are gathered, the dissertation read, etc... One year for sure.

I guess my perspective on the matter is that to become an expert in a specific field of study requires more than a couple of years. There is just so much literature to review before pen hits the paper that realistically 5 years is about right.

 

What was their academic background like? Schools all over the US?

 

Hey all - I will try to hit everyone's questions.

Scott - My first onsite visit was in Nov of 2003, but I had to have the proposal finished by then and some other items before the first visit - I started in August, as I recall. I officially defended in April of 07, but I had a re-write to do after, so had to get that in after the fact (cat is out of the bag ). I don't mind sharing that, I guess........ I really, offically ended in ~July 2007, though my defense was earlier. 4 years, 8 months total I think. I dont' mind your questions at all, keep me honest

AV8 - I am not sure about the program now, but I did take the GMAT, and had an application package (around here in some box). I think it was competetive to get in, but I don't think they publish the standards. I think they take the entire package as a whole (not like XX GPA X GMAT = XXX, like some school's.) I know there was working indusgtry experience, as well as references, probably others, I don't remember all those details, but will see if I can dredge up my old application. I was in the pilot program though, they have evolved things, so not sure what it is now.

Scott - My co-hort was in New Orleans, just before Katrina hit, so it made for a huge issue in the co-hort (onsite visits in the US were moved, etc). I was from CA, a few others outside the LA area. There was a huge set of backgrounds, and everyone was matched to an advisor (or 2), based on their expertise and research interest...... we all came together at times to discuss, but really was well diverse in backgrounds.

 

Thanks Han, but I think you mean 3 years, 8 months total. I guess my main question has transformed to this... if you defended in April 07, when did you actually have your final draft done? It looks like the whole research process took less than 3 years.

 

Maybe I am totally missing something: Application in June, for a July/Aug start 03 - July last version in, approved in August 07 (received degree)
2003 = 6 months
2004 = 12 months
2005 = 12 months
2006 = 12 months
2007 = 8 months
So that is 50 months = 4 years 2 months.

I would say the research process took a bit over 3.5 years, but I had additional time to work on it, as my case study was my employer.

Hope this helps.

 

So would say you were more than part-time and that a part-time student would need more than the 4 years 2 months, on average?

Also, this link (PDF) has some graduation rate and progress information on page 3. The document indicates a last update of October 2007.

 

IMO yes, I was off work for a year during this time, as well as had additional time each week to work on the program. Just my opinion.

I am not sure of the others and other areas though, so just my experience.