Yet Another UNISA question

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Massalocin, Oct 4, 2005.

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  1. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    I’m looking closely at UNISA as a viable institution to engage in “Doctor of Public Administration” studies.

    I assume that an oral defense of the doctorate level thesis is required at this institution – if so, where is the defense conducted - does one need to travel to UNISA, or can the defense be arranged in your home country?

    (I can’t seem to find the answer to the above question in the UNISA handbook that I’ve downloaded from their website).
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    It is traditional when asking a question to post a weblink: www.unisa.ac.za .
     
  3. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Massalocin - I believe that you have read the Handbook correctly. The fact that you haven't found mention of an oral defense strongly suggests that such defense is not required. While I think that you have already seen it, I would point you to this page:
    http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=10258
    (this is really for the casual reader)
    My strong advice: dont't believe the website. Don't believe me. The stakes are high. Contact the Department and ask some specific questions. Good luck.
    Jack
     
  4. worthingco

    worthingco New Member

    You might want to contact UNISA's agent in Canada:

    http://www.iaci-canada.com/index.htm

    Good luck.
     
  5. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member

    Jack Tracy: Thanks for the advise. Of course, asking a lot of questions and verifying information with any institution before handing them thousands of dollars is always a good idea. (Thought that I'd first ask the question in this forum since replies to postings seem to be immediate).

    Worthingco - thanks very much for the web link to UNISA's Canadian agent. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they're located in my neck of the woods.

    I'll share the response that I receive (from UNISA's Canadian agent) with this group (just in case anyone's interested).
     
  6. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    Re: Re: Yet Another UNISA question

    Jack, Is it common with SA doctorates to NOT have oral defenses of "theses?" Will you be asked to defend your PhD at UFS? It never occured to me that some universities might not require this.
     
  7. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    It may sound odd but the answer to both questions is "I don't know." If I ever get to the end of my thesis and the next logical step is the oral defense then I will happily take myself off to Bloemfontein for that purpose. If nothing else, I will have saved so much money that I don't think I could complain that it's too expensive. On the other hand, maybe it's something that could be done by video conferencing. I'll let you know when the time comes.
    Jack
     
  8. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    It does seem to be low on one's priority list to worry about the oral defense. Most people tell me they know their topic better than those questioning them anyway. Good luck! Are you in the proposal writing stage or have you started writing your dissertation?
     
  9. Brad Sweet

    Brad Sweet New Member

    Hi

    You will not always find the answer in the Unisa web site. The best source, as noted in a posting here, is the actual faculty. At re-registration every year, you will have to sign the documents promising to attend an oral defence should that be required. I say re-registration as the university does not simply register you again each year. You have to submit a statement of the work you completed the previous year (research, written documents, chapters of thesis completed that year etc).

    In all likelihood the degree is a thesis and an academic article for publication will have to be submitted at the same time.

    If you have more questions just ask. I always registered through the Unisa agent in Vancouver, Canada who is very helpful. He is busy enough as there are 500 Unisa students in Canada alone!

    Brad
     
  10. fortiterinre

    fortiterinre New Member

    Brad,

    Very happy to see your post and glittering resume of academic work. I have hit a UNISA roadblock in requesting information about its Development Studies program. Every development degree at every level seems to state that it requires "2 years of work experience in development" prior to enrollment. Is this the norm for UNISA? I always think of UNISA as an extremely affordable way to study something in which I do not have work experience.

    In an unrelated but fascinating question, how are you studying in Canada through the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome? Is it through a B&M Catholic school or seminary that uses the Lateran for validation of its pontifical degrees? And yet your M.Div. would seem not to be the pontifical course, no? If the Lateran is offering DL, please update us, and thank you in advance.
     
  11. Brad Sweet

    Brad Sweet New Member

     
  12. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    FWIW, my slight knowledge of the Australian system shows that an oral defense is NOT required for the "professional dissertation" doctorate in Laws (the J.S.D.) but IS required for the "academic dissertation" doctorate in Laws (the Ph.D.).

    Maybe UNISA thinks the same way?
     
  13. fortiterinre

    fortiterinre New Member

    Thanks for the quick response. I have emphasized to UNISA that I have a master's in public policy and have lived abroad, but my work experience has been American not-for-profit administration. Good to know that I am not imagining the repetition of the requirement, and that it is up to me to package my experience to UNISA!

    Brad, congrats on your studies, very impressive especially in this day and age. The Lateran is validating the pontifical program at the new Denver Archdiocesan seminary and has expanded overseas more and more, v. good to see.
     
  14. Massalocin

    Massalocin New Member


    Brad Sweet,

    Thanks for posting to this thread. With regards to your above quote, do you mean that the requirement for an oral defence (versus no oral defense) is determined on a case-by-case basis? Or do you mean that some, but not all, of UNISA's doctorate programs require an oral defense?
     
  15. Brad Sweet

    Brad Sweet New Member

    I believe most departments and faculties require an oral defence on paper. But due to the previous apartheid era restrictions on interior movements of people, especially non-whites, and those from neighbouring African countries, it was on a case by case basis and has never been changed.

    Having been in South Africa many times during the apartheid regime and seen the life of those who were not white it is understandable how this was made a flexible rule.
     

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