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On 11/03/14, Gerry Adams wrote:
> Throwing this question out there and hoping someone with
> experience has a substantive answer...
>
> I've been accepted to two doctorate programs. One is a
> "podunk" university (still regionally accredited), but
cheap
> enough where I can pay cash and come out debt free. The
> other is a large, very well known, nationally respected
> university, but will cost between 80-90k for the degree.
My
> question is, is the alumni connection and prestige of an
EdD
> from the second university worth the cost? Or does it not
> really matter where you got your EdD from, as long as the
> university is regionally accredited? Would I be passed on
> for higher admin jobs based on the fact that I have an
EdD
> from a small, relatively unknown school?

I struggled with the same thing but apparently had more
options than you. Not sure what you mean by "podunk but
regionally accredited." I suggest a school that has a brick
and mortar presence even though they may have on-line
degrees...they should be reputable. I would avoid
University of Phoenix or similar schools even though they
may be regionally accredited. In academia schools that are
not scholarly on some level will not open as many doors as
you would like (I teach at a state university and they
don't hire from UOP). To research schools I googled the
degrees and schools I was interested in and found some
graduates. Then I emailed them about how they liked their
degree programs. I got some useful responses. For example
for one program it turned out that half the courses were
actually held at another school in a bad inner-city
location. I finally choose a school that had name
recognition as well as a solid program. I paid $40,000
about 12 years ago. I don't regret it. Luckily my employer
came through with some funding and the university even gave
me a scholarship for about $5000. I would do it all over
again. Good luck!

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