PhD programs to accept me?

[cookderosa]

I will only enroll in a PhD program if I'm motivated and committed. I haven't decided on what yet, because I'm not even done with my Bachelor's. I was just checking that my Masters plan won't ruin all my chances for a PhD. I'm glad to know that some online schools would accept me with the NA Masters.

The Masters program requires a 3.0 to graduate, so I will have at least that.

When you work on your master's, you'll be a different candidate than you are now. You'll have graded credit at the graduate level that will be part of your PhD application. You may even have entrance exam scores depending on your field. You master's performance will be a greater piece of the puzzle than your bachelor's is for a master's.

A master's is still being a student of the field. You're a learner in the process. The distinction is that when you are a doctoral candidate, is that you're adding to the body of knowledge and advancing the body of knowledge within the field. Yes, you'll have to be motivated, but you'll also have to have something to contribute.

[RANSOMSOUL]

When you work on your master's, you'll be a different candidate than you are now.  You'll have graded credit at the graduate level that will be part of your PhD application. You may even have entrance exam scores depending on your field.  You master's performance will be a greater piece of the puzzle than your bachelor's is for a master's.  

A master's is still being a student of the field.  You're a learner in the process.  The distinction is that when you are a doctoral candidate, is that you're adding to the body of knowledge and advancing the body of knowledge within the field.  Yes, you'll have to be motivated, but you'll also have to have something to contribute.

You make a lot of great points here. The maturation process from working on a bachelors degree to completing a masters degree really brings things to the light. I would imagine, there are plenty of students who after there masters have zero interest in the workload required for a doctorate & others who can't stop thinking about tackling that same workload.

The NA masters will make it a little tougher but if the fire is still high, you will put in the work to find the right school for a doctorate.

[cookderosa]

" I would imagine, there are plenty of students who after there masters have zero interest in the workload required for a doctorate & others who can't stop thinking about tackling that same workload. "

Yes. I'm 100% in the category of not starting a doctorate UNLESS I am in a position to get full tuition coverage by an employer as well as a guaranteed bump in pay. Now, as a full-time mom and part-time employee....HAIL NO. My master's thesis was original research. That's a whole different activity than taking classes.

I would, and probably will, add more graduate level biology and psychology to my resume so I can teach those areas too, but again, taking a class is cake compared to conducting and reporting original research. I love taking classes.

[RANSOMSOUL]

The most interesting thing about how tough something is, eventually ends up being the most interesting part about it to me. My wife says the only reason getting a bachelors degree worked out for me was that I put a totally unrealistic time frame on it and the challenge/game of it kept me interested. Same thing applied to the 1 term goal with my masters. However, there does not seem to be any way to reverse-engineer a PhD (EdD has some angles to it . Unrealistic/Challenge/Game seems to be at best 3 years and most likely 4/5+ or worst case end up one of the unfortunate burnout stories.

With all that being said, I love the drama prior to making the leap

[Ideas]

However, there does not seem to be any way to reverse-engineer a PhD (EdD has some angles to it . Unrealistic/Challenge/Game seems to be at best 3 years and most likely 4/5+ or worst case end up one of the unfortunate burnout stories.

With all that being said, I love the drama prior to making the leap

Angles how? I just noticed your signature.

[RANSOMSOUL]

Angles how? I just noticed your signature.

The comment was based on there being more options with EdD programs that allow you to complete in a shorter time frame in comparison to a PhD. All of the talks on completing a PhD quickly (under 4) just don't seem to happen that often based on the countless reviews online. EdD program stories have their fair share of flameouts but they also have a decent representation of those completing the program in under 3 years. They are very different programs altogether and outside of them both being doctorates, they are not really comparable programs unless with Leadership, in which, there is a lot of overlap between the two at some schools.

[Ideas]

The comment was based on there being more options with EdD programs that allow you to complete in a shorter time frame in comparison to a PhD. All of the talks on completing a PhD quickly (under 4) just don't seem to happen that often based on the countless reviews online. EdD program stories have their fair share of flameouts but they also have a decent representation of those completing the program in under 3 years. They are very different programs altogether and outside of them both being doctorates, they are not really comparable programs unless with Leadership, in which, there is a lot of overlap between the two at some schools.

Interesting. I don't know much about doctorate level programs yet

[Sagan]

In the United States, there is little difference between the EdD and PhD. While the former should indicate a professional doctorate, the reality is that it does not. Typically, the two programs are identical. The EdD owes its existence to Harvard University, who awards the PhD only in arts and sciences. Applied fields, even though they take a scholarly approach to the degree, result in alternative degree titles like the EdD and DBA.

That said, there are some EdD programs that DO make the distinction between scholarly and professional doctorates. But there's no reason to believe they are any easier (or faster) to complete.

[RANSOMSOUL]

Agree across the board outside of the possibility for a faster completion. It is all but unheard of to read about a PhD listed as a two program but there are plenty of EdD listed as a two-year program. If to just base the data on keeping on schedule, EdD has more programs that can be completed in a faster time frame. I also would not bring easier into play because the speed of completion should have no relation to ease of program. Both I'm sure carry plenty of a workload whether it be 2/4/6 years to feel the theme of being hard

[sanantone]

It depends on the design of the program. Many on-ground PhD programs will let you enter with a bachelor's degree, and they might have an option to earn a master's on the way. There are online and campus PhD programs that require a master's degree or will give you credit for a master's degree. Those can take three to four years. My PhD program can be completed in three years, but hardly anyone finishes that fast because most of us are working one full-time or two part-time jobs.

With online programs, almost all of the students are going to be working full-time. So, even though a program might be marketed as being two years, it could take longer based on how much time the student has to dedicate to completing a dissertation. From what I've seen, most EdD programs require a dissertation. Even the ones without a dissertation usually have an applied project that will take just as long. Then, you have some unethical, primarily-online schools that purposely slow down students. Another issue with schools that don't have many full-time professors is that your dissertation chair could quit at any time, and finding and getting acquainted with another one will slow you down.