pdog128
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« on: January 28, 2012, 10:33:51 PM » |
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Long time lurker, first time poster. Let me preface this post by saying that I understand the general feeling towards the Ed.D degree on these forums.
I am a relatively (<30) young faculty member at a small, rural community college. I am finishing up my third year at this school as a full-time faculty member, after two years as an adjunct at another institution. Recently I applied for an administrative position, which I did not get (primarily, I think, due to my inexperience). Even though I didn't get that position, they offered me the chair of my division. There have been other signs that the higher-ups have a healthy confidence in me as well.
So far, I am enjoying the work as division chair. I think I could see a future in administration at the community college level, and I'm wondering what is the best way to make that happen. Let me say, I have no interest in either pursuing a Ph.D in my field or research in general. Pursuing an Ed.D would be a major undertaking, and I want to make sure it's in my best interest. Speaking of which, it would probably have to be a distance program. Is it worth looking into?
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wet_blanket
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« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 10:57:08 PM » |
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Would your school pay for it?
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Wet Blanket will find success. The spreadsheet is the way...
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lightningstrike
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« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2012, 02:48:12 AM » |
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If you plan to spend the rest of your career in community colleges, then yes, this makes sense. Otherwise, forget about it.
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pdog128
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Posts: 21
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« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2012, 07:14:55 AM » |
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No, my school would not pay for it. And since it would primarily have to be a distance thing (currently in a rural setting), I can't count on a fellowship or GA or anything of that nature.
And yes, I think at this point I have decided to focus on community college. While I would enjoy working at a four-year school, I just don't think it's in the cards for me.
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zharkov
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« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2012, 10:57:16 AM » |
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No, my school would not pay for it. And since it would primarily have to be a distance thing (currently in a rural setting), I can't count on a fellowship or GA or anything of that nature.
And yes, I think at this point I have decided to focus on community college. While I would enjoy working at a four-year school, I just don't think it's in the cards for me.
About the "distance thing," you want to avoid an online doctorate from a for-profit school, since they usually are not well regarded in academia. You may want to try searching in your area/region for a program that caters to working adults, with classes that meet on weekends and/or during the summer, perhaps supplemented by online work. They might be called educational leadership, leadership studies, or just leadership, and the actual degree might be a PhD/Ed/DA. There are also more nationally known programs.... I have worked with people in positions similar to the sort you are asking about, with degrees from Nova Southeastern, Union, and Antioch. |
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__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
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drnobody
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« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2012, 02:03:22 PM » |
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No, my school would not pay for it. And since it would primarily have to be a distance thing (currently in a rural setting), I can't count on a fellowship or GA or anything of that nature.
And yes, I think at this point I have decided to focus on community college. While I would enjoy working at a four-year school, I just don't think it's in the cards for me.
About the "distance thing," you want to avoid an online doctorate from a for-profit school, since they usually are not well regarded in academia. You may want to try searching in your area/region for a program that caters to working adults, with classes that meet on weekends and/or during the summer, perhaps supplemented by online work. They might be called educational leadership, leadership studies, or just leadership, and the actual degree might be a PhD/Ed/DA. There are also more nationally known programs.... I have worked with people in positions similar to the sort you are asking about, with degrees from Nova Southeastern, Union, and Antioch. This. But yes, if it's from a brick and mortar school but online, it would absolutely be worth it. CCs value EdDs and most in the ones I have worked in (several as an adjunct, this year full time) I have found the majority of those with a doctorate have an EdD, not a PhD. In many cases that "Dr." in the front of your name is what the college wants to put you in an admin position. It makes everyone look good. But please don't do an online, for-profit school. There are too many good schools that have programs like what you need--and generally they are cheaper, as well as more valuable. |
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msparticularity
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« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 02:10:57 PM » |
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There was some discussion some time ago here about universities with low-residency programs in higher ed--maybe one at the U of Alabama? These programs meet during off-times, as Zharkov suggests, and only periodically, such as one weekend a month.
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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pdog128
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« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2012, 03:17:00 PM » |
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Thanks everyone for the responses. As for the available programs, I would love any more recommendations. The only two schools instate that offer the degree are at least a two plus hour drive away. I don't believe either have a low residency program. I do know enough to avoid online, for-profit schools though.
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zharkov
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« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2012, 04:27:07 PM » |
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Thanks everyone for the responses. As for the available programs, I would love any more recommendations. .....
If you tell us where you live (even broadly), then maybe we could offer some suggestions. A two or so hour drive for a weekend class that meets every couple or so weeks, or monthly, is not that bad. (Obviously, such classes last several hours at each meeting and probably include online work in-between.) In any case, focus on programs that target adult learners who are taking the program while working. Back in the day, the "OK" low-residency non-profit doctoral programs with a national reach were Nova Southeastern, Union Inst., Fielding, and Saybrook, and I'd add Antioch to that group. |
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__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
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zuzu_
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« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2012, 04:41:55 PM » |
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Yes, it would help to know your general geographic area. I am also CC faculty in a rural area, and in my recent quest to find some low-residency reputable C&I PhDs, I did stumble across a bunch of similarly flexible admin EdDs. If you want to keep it private, send me a PM (Personal Message).
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pdog128
New member
Posts: 21
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« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2012, 07:27:49 PM » |
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I live in the southern/mid-western region.
I agree, a four or six hour (round trip) drive every couple of weeks wouldn't be that bad. Or even every weekend, for that matter. But the closest schools that offer the degree have fairly uncompromising schedules. From what I can tell from their posted class schedules, their HIED classes are scheduled as weekday afternoon/night classes. So to get to a 4:30 - 7:30 class, I'd have to leave by 2:00 and not get back until at least 10:00. And even if I only take a couple classes a semester, that's twice a week. That's really not going to work with my schedule.
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zuzu_
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« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2012, 09:50:53 PM » |
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Have you checked on Kansas State? They have an EdD in AdultEd/HigherEd leadership. It's kind of vague, but they do say they have "flexible delivery options." University of Nebraska-Lincoln also has a distance ed program with very little on-campus time required.
Wherever you might be considering, if the program looks interesting and appropriate for your interests, call the DGS and ask questions. Many good schools have crappy, incomplete websites, and many schools are just beginning to ramp up distance ed.
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bama_belle
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« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2012, 09:39:54 AM » |
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I finished my Masters from the UofAlabama Higher Ed program while I lived in Charlotte, NC. It was roughly a 7-hour drive, but classes only met one weekend a month. Many of the classes were also offered online. Great program, great faculty. I was 1 of only 3 Masters student in my courses; all of the others were EdD.
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slipdisco
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« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2012, 09:55:16 AM » |
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Nova Southeastern University has an online Ed.D program that might meet your needs. I see that it has been mentioned several times. You might want to check out the Ph.D. program in conflict analysis and resolution at Nova. There is a concentration for school administrators. I'm currently in my third year (part-time) of the program and it offers the rigor that I expected. I am a faculty member at a community college in Cleveland, Ohio and the low-residency requirements are just right.
Slipdisco
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imawakenow
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« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2012, 10:18:11 AM » |
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Nova Southeastern University has an online Ed.D program that might meet your needs. I see that it has been mentioned several times. You might want to check out the Ph.D. program in conflict analysis and resolution at Nova. There is a concentration for school administrators. I'm currently in my third year (part-time) of the program and it offers the rigor that I expected. I am a faculty member at a community college in Cleveland, Ohio and the low-residency requirements are just right.
Slipdisco
Hey, slipdisco. I haven't seen you around in a while. I'm glad to hear it's working out for you. OP: FWIW, I have a friend in a somewhat similar situation to you. He did an Ed.D. at Nova and had a really good experience also. |
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