Showing posts with label Colleges and Universities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colleges and Universities. Show all posts

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Thinking About a PhD Tips For Success

Aquatint of a Doctor of Divinity at the Univer...Image via Wikipedia
A Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) is the highest degree level of achievement possible in one of many different academic fields. Many people who complete a doctoral program chose to go into research, teaching, or administration. A Ph.D. and Doctor of Education (Ed .D.) both vary from program to program, and school to school, but the main difference between them is the design and intent of the programs.
An Ed.D. program generally prepares practitioners. The program would include coursework, internships, and independent work in learning and direction, staff development, supervising, evaluation, and research synthesis. The degree is awarded to students who have made significant contributions to a particular field, especially in the field of research. The main contribution is often a research-based doctoral thesis or dissertation that is defended in front of committee before the student can earn the degree. Those who earn the degree generally use the title "doctor" in academic environments, research, and in publications. To receive a doctorate in almost all areas of study, a student must prove that they've successfully completed a bachelor's and master's degree, although requirements may vary by field.
The Ph.D. program is a research degree and includes coursework, internships, and independent work in research designing, data analysis, and instructional theory. Ph.D. graduates tend to work in universities and research-based environments. Therefore a Ph.D. is based on original research while an Ed .D is practice-oriented. As with most masters' degree, be sure not to take too long to or you will start to lose credit hours. Doctorate programs require the completion of residency requirements (each school will define their residency requirements). Candidates are also required to work on a dissertation after completion of the coursework. This phase of the program is often referred to as ABD (all but dissertation).
It usually takes about three to four year to complete the doctoral degree although most people take longer if they are not full-time students. Many schools have a requirement that the degree must be completed within seven to eight years. Statistics indicate that many people start the doctoral degree but do not finish for various reasons. Some get to the ABD stage and never finish if they get a new job, have increased responsibilities, or a raise at their job. The reasons vary. So, what is the determinant for successful completion?
Motivation is a huge determinant of success! Being motivated means that you need to be interested in the courses and program, keep in touch with the instructor, classmates, readings etc and see the light at the end of the tunnel. e the pursuit of similar goals.
Goal setting and personal rewards i.e. both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation will keep you going. Adequate planning goals and setting milestones is certainly helpful. For example, tell yourself, "I will have completed half my coursework in one year" and then create a program of study to help you accomplish that. That will give you a degree of satisfaction and the energy to keep going. Always set aside a study place and time with no distractions. For example the library, computer lab or your study room at home may be the best place to concentrate and get work done.
Successful e-learners know how to balance. Don't forget to surround yourself with positive family, friends, and co-workers who will root for you! Also don't forget to take time off to relax and recoup. Do something different and fun from time to time. That will keep you refreshed. All said and done, hard work, determination, discipline gets you to the finish line!
A Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) is the highest degree level of achievement possible in one of many different academic fields. Many people who complete a doctoral program chose to go into research, teaching, or administration. But what are the indicators of successful completion?
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Adults Returning to Education

Education is essential for every human being. We cannot survive in this world without education. It is in the best interest of the governments of every nation to ensure that at least basic education is provided to all their citizens.
There are several socio-economic reasons that lead many people to discontinue their studies when they are young. Most of them may have had burning desires to continue their education further, but their commitments to their families or their economic status may have been a hindrance to their continuing their studies.
Many of these adults who were dropouts from the schools in their childhood yearn to continue their education at a later and more convenient time. This has lead to the development of several adult education programs worldwide. These adult education programs come as a boon to those adults looking to complete what education they've left incomplete.
When the government started these adult education programs, initially there was not a lot of response to such programs from most people. They were very reluctant to join such programs.
Though many of them wanted to make an attempt, they were not sure whether they could pick up their educational threads at that age. The governments had to take a lot of steps to encourage people to join.
There is a saying that is very popular, and can apply to many different situations: "better late than never." Many adults have realized the importance and necessity of education and have come forward to enroll themselves in the many adult education programs available. They consider it a privilege to be able to educate themselves, even at an advanced stage of their lives.
These educational programs are organized by both government as well as voluntary institutions. Adult education programs not only provide basic education, they also guide their students towards higher education. These programs arrange financial aid and scholarships for students.
Adults can pursue their careers and enroll themselves in these programs simultaneously. This is made possible with the availability of online programs.
The people are provided with coursework that deals with politics, spirituality, self development, and other things. Adults usually tend to find these programs useful and interesting. They normally end up urging their relatives and friends to join these programs.
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