Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
(OP)
Does anyone have experience with completing a part-time PhD in engineering in the United States? If so, I have a few questions:
1. How hard was it to find a program that allows part-time PhDs?
2. Was your employer supportive?
3. How long did it take you to complete your PhD?
4. Are there any programs that are known for graduating part-time PhDs?
Any advice you have in obtaining a PhD on a part-time basis would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
1. How hard was it to find a program that allows part-time PhDs?
2. Was your employer supportive?
3. How long did it take you to complete your PhD?
4. Are there any programs that are known for graduating part-time PhDs?
Any advice you have in obtaining a PhD on a part-time basis would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.





RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
14159
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
Maui
Constants aren't; variables won't.
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
When I worked at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale Ca. I had a coworker who was working on a PhD from Stanford. LM had an honors program in place for employees that wanted to earn MS/PhDs. LM was very flexible with his schedule and his research was centered around his job. I have no idea if he completed the degree
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
Speak for yourself! I have a PhD in Chemical Eng and have found it tremendously helpful in indutsry. The research work itself is not applicable, but the skills in analytical reasoning, research and lateral thinking help enormously!
jdawg, go for it mate! But you are going to struggle doing it part time ... it is a lot of work, but worth it.
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
There is also the 2002, France Law # 20273, "la Validation des Acquis par l'Expérience (VAE)." Take your classes whenever and wherever you find them. Put a portfolio of everything you have done from the time you got your Masters together, learn French and submit it to a French University (Public) or 'Ecole Supérieure' (Private). (You need to know French for the jury will interview you.) I do grant that I don't know the acceptance rate of this method in academia in the USA. Industry seems to accept it, but the acceptance by the clerisy may be a different story.
If you find a program or school that you are interested in. Talk to the Professors; see if you can get a pre-doctorial fellowship, some pay handsomely while you work on your degree.
I, also, suggest that you obtain your PE licensed, that way you can legally startup a small consulting business while you work on you degree.
Though your free time will ebb away, and it does put great strain on your personnel well being, having a Doctorate is worth the effort.
Vita sine litteris mors est.
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
RE: Question - Doing a Part-time PhD in the US
I completed my MS part time while working full time and have casually looked into doctorate programs that can be completed the same way. So far I have found nothing like it. The PhD is extremely research oriented and that does not lend itself to part time study, especially since most (all?) programs require about 90 hours past a BS to earn a PhD.
Another option for you may be a Doctor of Engineering. This is basically a classwork-only doctorate, which would probably be more beneficial than a PhD if you plan to work in industry rather than university. Check out the program at the University of Missouri-Rolla (www.umr.edu). It can be completed part time and there is an intern-type working experience for a year that serves as your research time. A dissertation is prepared based on this year of experience. You do have to spend some time in residence at the Rolla campus for your classes but this is the closest I have come to what you are looking for. Good luck!