The first doctoral degree was awarded in Paris, France in the mid-12th century. The doctorate of philosophy was conceived in Germany some five hundred years later and is the direct precursor to the modern Ph.D. Today, universities in the U.S. award multiple research-based doctoral degrees.
Many of those degrees are specific to a discipline of study. For example, the D.B.A (business), Ed.D. (education), D.N.P. (nursing), and Psy.D. (psychology) are all quite popular among professionals in industry, business, and private practice as opposed to traditional academia.
However, one thing these degree programs all have in common is the doctoral dissertation. Born of the master-apprentice relationship of the medieval trade guilds, the dissertation is the masterpiece of the doctoral process.
To graduate, every doctoral student must complete an independent research project and write a dissertation – a book-length paper detailing every aspect of the project.
Each year in the U.S., over fifty thousand people earn their doctoral degrees, successfully completing the grueling dissertation process. However, only about fifty percent of those who enroll in doctoral programs ever graduate.
Meanwhile, that leaves another fifty thousand students each year who withdraw from their doctoral programs without finishing their dissertations.
Tuition for most doctoral programs across the country exceeds $20,000 per year and can be significantly higher. Students spend five to seven years pursuing their doctoral degrees, and often much more.
Additionally, the money spent on tuition pales in comparison to the costs associated with postponing the increased earning potential enjoyed by doctoral graduates. Individuals with their doctoral degrees typically earn at least $20,000 more per year than those with their master’s degree.
HOW TO OBSERVE
If you’re a doctoral student approaching the dissertation phase of your program, use National Dissertation Day as an opportunity to develop a mindful approach to the dissertation process. Then you can graduate and make your impact on the world as soon as possible.
If you’re a doctoral candidate stuck on your dissertation journey, National Dissertation Day is the perfect day to eliminate any bad habits you’ve developed. Put your dissertation back on track with a few adjustments.
And, finally, if you know a struggling doctoral student, ask them how they’re celebrating National Dissertation Day. It could be just the push they need to develop a mindful attitude toward their dissertation and help them leave the confusion, stress, and frustration of the dissertation process behind as soon as possible.
Use #NationalDissertationDay to share on social media.
HISTORY
American founder of Dissertation Done, LLC, Dr. Russell Strickland, created National Dissertation Day as a way to highlight the importance of adopting a professional, even mercenary, approach to completing one’s dissertation.
With each year in the dissertation process costing a student $40,000 or more in real dollars, it’s hard to rationalize delaying graduation for two, three, or more years by wasting time on the dissertation.
Congratulations to those who finished!
#NationalDissertationDay
@dissertationdone
@nichecinema
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