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[thundering_m]

Most of the Education Phd programs I know of have a majority of students as part-time. The distinction between Ed.D and Ph.D. is a distinction between writing a dissertation (ph.d) and writing a report or project up (Ed.D). The Ed. D would have just as many courses as the Phd.

Um, not so.

[gennimom]

Most of the Education Phd programs I know of have a majority of students as part-time. The distinction between Ed.D and Ph.D. is a distinction between writing a dissertation (ph.d) and writing a report or project up (Ed.D). The Ed. D would have just as many courses as the Phd.

Um, not so.

Yeah, around here they have to write a dissertation. The difference is the standard they are held to. Oh, and I got that tidbit from one of the profs in a department that still awards them. Although I think they stopped admitting new candidates to the EdD program. They only had about 10% of their grads in that program anyway.

[thundering_m]

Most of the Education Phd programs I know of have a majority of students as part-time. The distinction between Ed.D and Ph.D. is a distinction between writing a dissertation (ph.d) and writing a report or project up (Ed.D). The Ed. D would have just as many courses as the Phd.

Um, not so.

Yeah, around here they have to write a dissertation. The difference is the standard they are held to. Oh, and I got that tidbit from one of the profs in a department that still awards them. Although I think they stopped admitting new candidates to the EdD program. They only had about 10% of their grads in that program anyway.

The EdD is associated with the practicing professional and the PhD with the scholarly academic, but the programs differ within categories more than across. There are project-driven PhD programs and there are very rigorous  research (not action research) based dissertations required by some EdD programs.

Being the hybrid sort of field it is, this represents the range of all terminal degrees across the univeristy: the creative work of an MFA, the case studies and archive research of social sciences, the experimental inquiries of hard sciences. In fact, the lack of consensus plus the practical interest in a population with relatively little economic power (children) has contributed to the traditional disdain toward it expressed by content areas. It claims no privileged information or exclusive authority other than the best interests of students, and at all levels must cope with naive assumptions about learning and motivation perhaps because there is a natural function of guiding the young. It is no different than the common misunderstandings of the principles of physics or language. We carry on studying and reporting and coaching and, in this case, holding forth.

To argue the merits of EdD v. PhD is akin to a pissing contest between arts and sciences. There are strong and weak programs and individuals in both. Whatever your degree, your quality as an academic is measured by what you continue to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

[new_bus_prof]

You're always crazy to attempt grad school.

Welcome to the loony bin!

[helpful]

I was just speaking from my knowledge of a department that has both a Ph.D. and Ed.D program.

[polly_mer]

Yes, OP, you are crazy, but people successfully manage it IF several conditions are met.  The biggest ones are (1) being in a program that is set up for part-time students who work full-time in the field, (2) having all the social support you need, and (3) being very lucky that carefully laid plans don't go too far off-rail.

The factors in your control are (1) and (2).  Education, as others have mentioned, is one of the few fields where good part-time programs exist.  Be sure to seek those out instead of settling for the one that is just down the street from your house.

As for social support, only you can decide if your husband is serious about taking on more than half of the burden of raising the kid and running the house, which is what's necessary for you to succeed.  He can't just be your little helper.  He needs to be committed to shouldering the responsibilities as a full partner, which means knowing what has to be done and doing it instead of waiting for you to nag at him to do a specific task.  You also have to be willing to give up the power of being boss and trust him to find his own way of doing things to make that work.  Many women are unwilling to give up the power and therefore don't reap the benefit of having a full equal partner.

You also need friends and neighbors who will not hold you to some imaginary superwoman standard of work, school, and home that includes doing all the completely unnecessary frilly things that bored people have chosen to do to fill up their empty hours.  Martha Stewart Living is not a viable option for the path you propose and you have to be ok with that or you will be sunk before you start.

[thundering_m]

I was just speaking from my knowledge of a department that has both a Ph.D. and Ed.D program.

And that's helpful, Helpful ^_^

[runwithscissors]

In order to move up to the next level in my field, I have to have a doctorate. There is no way around it

If you are currently working and the doctorate is essential to your career development, is there any way to either convince your employer to pay for (or at least contribute to) tuition, living costs etc. in return for doing some research that will benefit your department? Also can you integrate the research in any way with your current work practices, so that it's not a question of school or work, but some hybrid version of the two?

Either way, it seems you (well frankly this applies to everyone) should think seriously about the career benefits of 5-7 years of graduate education (or possibly 10 or more part time) against 5-7 years of work experience, salary, benefits and pension. What does your current work supervisor suggest?

[dr_prephd]

I think that, with a supportive spouse who is a full partner in the relationship and childrearing, that it can certainly be done. I work full-time and go to grad. school part time in a program that's designed for working professionals. Yes, it will be lots of hard work, lots of balancing, and lots of time reading while the baby's sleeping. Good luck!

[nomad]

Now, I have another opportunity to possibly start another program in Education, part-time. I have to work full-time. Interesting thing is that all of the students in the program are part-time as well. That gives me a little hope... I think...

I am in an education PhD program where almost all are part time and working. I am one of the few who doesn't work and it has worked to my disadvantage. During discussions students are expected to pull from their experience in the field. Since I am not currently in the field I sometimes feel at a loss during class. If you are looking at a program where most students are part time then you are probably looking at a program like mine. (Hey you may actually be looking at mine. PM me if you want to find out.)

I would really talk to the professors in the program to see how they deal with students who work full time. The faculty in my program are very understanding of those who are working. Extensions for paper deadlines are not uncommon. Many professors have expressed an appreciation for students who can do it all. As a department they are very very supportive.

If you have a child who is very young, I would set aside time weekly where you can study, child free. When paper deadlines come near arrange babysitting in advance. You cannot do it all without help and support.