Part-time phD - do they exist?

[fatman]

I'm a mid-career Android developer with an M.S. in Software Engineering from a program one step above a degree mill. Given my personality and interests, "technical expert" seems like a more appropriate career arc than "engineering manager" - so I'm considering trying for a phD.

My employer has a pretty generous program where they will not only pay for a doctorate, but also give me 8 hrs a week off (paid) to use for classes and coursework. I've got a mortgage, a job, and a family, so anything more than 2 classes at time is a no-go. Also, I'm pretty much stuck looking at schools in Baltimore, Philadelphia and parts inbetween. (on the bright side I don't think I'd need any funding, right?)

Is anyone aware of any part-time CS phD programs that fit my requirements? I've spent the last 8 months developing computer vision algorithms for Android, and I think that would be a pretty cool area for research. I'm not looking for anything elite, just a decent school that's not the University of Phoenix.

Thanks,

Fatman

[anacron]

I'm glad I came across this post. My dad is going to be starting a part-time PhD this coming fall term. So - yes part-time PhD's do exist although you might have to explicitly call up universities to ask and tell them you have your own funding.

It was a bit easier for my dad because he currently works with a professor and its was straight-forward to get admitted (even though the university does not explicitly offer part-time PhDs). If you have contacts with profs. then I'm sure they can pull a few strings to get you in - even if the colleges don't offer part-time grad study.

If you're in the Baltimore area then University of Maryland at College Park might be the best place to look. I believe the CS department offers part-time and its an awesome place to study (Top 20 school).

As a part-timer with funding, you might stand a good shot at getting admitted.

A side note: like you, my dad has similar restrictions on his time and only registered for 2 courses - no complaints from department or POI.

Edited April 19, 2012 by anacron

[fatman]

Thanks for the info. Maryland looks like a great program, especially in computer vision. I was thinking more along the lines of Villanova, Drexel, or Delaware, but it can't hurt to aim high. The UM website says phD requires 3 years of residency - but I've kinda gotten the impression in the past with my own and collegues experiences (though nowhere as highly ranked as UM) that that requirement is not always iron-clad.

As far as developing contacts with professors, I was thinking (hoping) that the stuff I'm working on now could result in something worth a presentation at a conference somewhere, or publishing on the web. Either that, or I'll just try and enroll in a single class somewhere to get a foot in the door.

Is paying for classes all there is to "funding"? Or is there more $$ involved somehow?

Are GRE's really mandatory? Seems strange to me to require such a generalist test for such a specialized education. Just one more thing I need to start preparing for - if I do this, it's probably gonna be 2014 till I get started.

[anacron]

Is paying for classes all there is to "funding"? Or is there more $$ involved somehow?

Well, aside from the usual registration, computer and campus fees that's about it. The only other situation I can think of are for conference/workshop travel. The university may not help with covering travel costs (though your advisor might)

Are GRE's really mandatory? Seems strange to me to require such a generalist test for such a specialized education. Just one more thing I need to start preparing for - if I do this, it's probably gonna be 2014 till I get started.

This really depends on the university. However, I think you're required to submit the general GRE at pretty much any school. Doing a bunch of practice exams and doing well on the math sections should be enough. The main focus should be on your statement of purpose and conveying why you want the PhD ( I would think the adcom will expect a more focused statement from you).

Getting some sort of result in a presentation/conference will definitely help.

[Ancient CS Grad]

There a definitely some part time specific Phd programs. Not too long ago I received a flyer from NYU-Polytechic advertising a part time Phd program at their Westchester satellite campus aimed at students like yourself. This is not too surprising since the satellite campus is located conveniently near several IBM facilities. I am sure that there are other schools that would offer similar programs, the key is having enough potential students in the area.

[Adamah]

I don't see why you'd want a PhD. Do you want to go into research, or do you want to stay in software development? Keep in mind that a PhD often takes someone with an MS 4-5 years full-time to finish. If you're doing part-time, it might take you longer than 8.

[fatman]

I don't see why you'd want a PhD. Do you want to go into research, or do you want to stay in software development? Keep in mind that a PhD often takes someone with an MS 4-5 years full-time to finish. If you're doing part-time, it might take you longer than 8.

Well, my company fancies itself a pretty research-y type of place - lots of prototypes and proof-of-concept stuff, and the non-managerial senior staff are decently phD-laden.

Or maybe it's just my ego talking.

At any rate, 8 years seems a little long for two classes at a time, including summers, with maybe a transfer course headstart.

[Ancient CS Grad]

Its not the classes that take the time, usually half of a Phd programs credit is thesis research and research part time is frustrating to say the least. A lot of 2 steps forward and one step back.

[victor.s.andrei]

Maryland looks like a great program, especially in computer vision.

Stick to Maryland College Park if you can get it. You can do non-degree with GRE > 50 percentile or a GPA > 3.0 there, if I remember correctly. And, it's part of the DC Consortium so you can take up to two interesting and relevant classes at other Consortium schools (like GMU, American, Gtown, GWU) while paying in state rates, if you are a Maryland resident.