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From: ram@lcuxlm.ATT.COM (Miani Rich)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Advice ... (on part time PhD)
Summary: Re: Advice...
Message-ID: <2022@lcuxlm.ATT.COM>
Date: 1 Feb 89 17:38:03 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Liberty Corner NJ
Lines: 48

> 
> In article <669@wucs1.wustl.edu> conrad@wucs1.wustl.edu (H. Conrad Cunningham) writes:
> 
>    I haven't been following all of this discussion, but has anyone
>    addressed the "social" or "cultural" aspects of part-time vs.
>    full-time doctoral study?  [...]
> 
>    It seems to me that a very important and large component of education 
>    at any level is the "socialization" into an "educated culture".  I think
>    that this is especially true of doctoral level study.  [...]
> 
>    To me the research for and writing of a doctoral dissertation is an
>    "apprenticeship" to a "master."  
> 
>    [more good stuff deleted]
> 
> 
> I strongly second the idea that working on a doctorate is an
> "apprenticeship" to a "master".  The class work etc. are the basics
------------------------------ 

	stuff deleted

------------------------------
> 
> And the best way to develop such a perspective is by studying under and,
> working, talking and even arguing with someone who already is a "master"
> (shouldn't this be "doctor"?).  This takes time.
> 

I too, agree ( even though I opened this whole can of worms...). In getting
my MS, a significant portion of my overall learning was out of the classroom
and in one-on-one with faculty. HOWEVER, there are people who are 
extremely serious about the desire to complete a PhD and do not have the
economic resources to do it full time ( translated --> cannot afford the
pay cut from a full salaried employee to assistants' support wages ).  

A middle of the road solution for us would-be part-timers is to complete all
the required course-work on a part-time basis and then take a leave of 
absence ( or whatever) from work and start full-time when thesis/research
time rolls around. 

Rich Miani
AT&T Bell Labs
Liberty Corner, NJ

ram%lcuxlm@research.att.com
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