Online Doctoral Program

[RUDisney]

Does anyone have any recommendations (or warnings) about any particular online programs for a Doctorate of Business Administration?

I have the opportunity to get a job teaching at a college as a business professor and being in a doctoral program will be a huge help in landing the position.

There are no programs within reasonable driving distance, so I'm considering an online program.

Thanks for your help!

 

[rchristiansen]

I've never heard of an online PhD program. But I'd think that most universities don't require you to be on campus as a PhD student.

I'm a PhD student, but I do live an hour away from campus. I am just finishing up with my last 3 MS credits and will continue the PhD program...for a long, long time. I'm rarely on campus now though - except for the credit courses I need to take for the MS. All my other work is done at my own pace with my advisor. Many times we talk over the phone and I drive in when a face to face meeting with others is important.

Research the universities that you could drive to on occasion, and find out about their culture. I can't see any reason why you would NEED to be on campus unless you are working in a lab or are a TA.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Make sure that the college, and the program, are both accredited.

 

[bballmom56]

There are lots of online PhD programs, all varying in quality. Many faculty at DH's college have gone that route, and the rigor and quality of the programs that they have used (Capella, Nova Southeastern, Northcentral University) is far from the standards of a PhD program at a brick and mortar university that offers online programs. But these faculty don't care, nor apparently does the college.

RUDisney ~ I know DH has said there is one small university in your area that does not accept online degrees for faculty. Just make sure the one you are considering does accept them.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Does anyone have any recommendations (or warnings) about any particular online programs for a Doctorate of Business Administration?

I have the opportunity to get a job teaching at a college as a business professor and being in a doctoral program will be a huge help in landing the position.

There are no programs within reasonable driving distance, so I'm considering an online program.

Thanks for your help!

Have you considered contacting Pennsylvania State University?

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I'd be VERY careful. I got my PhD from one of the biggest and best national universities in Australia and had a hard time getting it accepted in the US when I returned home, and online degrees are viewed with even cynically.

There are a few 'brick'n'mortar' universities that do offer online PhDs. I suggest you look at them first (University of Michigan comes to mind first). Places like A Capella, Phoenix, etc... do not have a good reputation for PhDs. In fact, one of Capella's PhD candidates posted their thesis survey on a discussion board I am on and it was TERRIBLE. The questions were vague, didn't address what they were looking at, etc.... I had to point out that their survey was fatally flawed and ask if their supervisor had approved it. I then went on to point out that at most universities I know of, if a student sent a survey out that was that ill-formed, they would risk being dropped from the program for incompetence. Funnily enough, the student pulled the survey from the board -- but not before I contacted their supervisor (who had NOT seen the survey). *sigh*

And THAT is why I say be VERY cautious with online PhD programs. Most are diploma mills, and the quality of the degree is VERY shoddy. Why spend so much money to do a degree at a school that may not get you a job.

That said, I would also strongly urge you to check out ANY university you are thinking of applying to, with the HR department of the college you want to work for. Make sure they would accept the degree before you outlay ANY money on it.

Good luck!

 

[RUDisney]

All of the warnings you are all giving me are all things that I had thought about. I agree that I don't want to fork over so much money for nothing. I'll keep looking into other options for distance learning.

This endeavor doesn't seem like it will be easy, but nothing worth having usually is.

Thank you all for giving me things to think about and research. I'll welcome all other comments and suggestions, too.

I really want this job, and perhaps I'll amend my resume to show that I am researching doctoral programs in an effort to jump into one should they elect to hire me. That will show intent without rushing me into something that will come back to haunt me later.

 

[luvsJack]

The main thing in looking for a school is to make sure it is regionally accrediated. Check not only the school's website but the website of the accrediation entity.

Also, check with the school you are wanting to go to work for. In our community college, the person to talk to would be the "Vice President for Instruction" or one of his secretaries. A little forewarning, our VP use to be very against any online education. As our own online programs have grown by leaps and bounds and as he has started seeing good results from the students from those classes and programs, that opinion has started changing.

The stigma against online school is starting to lift. Everyone continues to bring up Phoenix but a lot of traditional schools are allowing classes from Phoenix to transfer and they have achieved accrediatation. There ARE accrediated schools out there and there may be one with the degree program you are looking for.

Look carefully and do a LOT of research about any school you look into.