4 ms·

While the cases you cite are probably different, not all countries require people to actually attend a University where they get their Doctorate. E.g. here in G

by Nitramp 16y ago

While the cases you cite are probably different, not all countries require people to actually attend a University where they get their Doctorate. E.g. here in Germany, you are required to write a Doctor's thesis (that needs to be accepted by a Professor) and pass an oral exam, but there are usually no required courses. I think historically it was not uncommon for people to just submit a thesis, but nowadays nearly everyone getting a PhD will do so while being at the University and in close collaboration with his Doctoral advisor.

KoZeN 16y ago
Fair point, the people I am referencing blatantly purchased their PhD without ever sitting a single exam or writing a single paper.
- michael_dorfman 16y ago
  From a reputable, accredited university? I think that's the slippery slope that the Prof in question is worried about. Right now, a PhD from the University of Manitoba should hold more value than a purchased one from a diploma mill. If enough of the requirements are waived, this may no longer be the case.
  - dhimes 16y ago
    Unless he is referring to "honorary" doctorates, which are an entirely different conversation. These are sometimes given for reasons that may make it look like they were "purchased."
tjr 16y ago
E.g. here in Germany, you are required to write a Doctor's thesis (that needs to be accepted by a Professor) and pass an oral exam, but there are usually no required courses. Any specific examples of this? (In Germany or elsewhere?)
- Nitramp 16y ago
  Well, you can look at the individual University's pages. Having courses in a PhD, or having something like a "PhD program" in general, is still very rare. The common model is to take a job as an assistant researcher with the chair of your Professor, work on your PhD thesis and papers 50% of the time, and be treated like cheap slave labour by your professor the other 95% (sic!) of the time.
- mwerty 16y ago
  Albert Einstein

by Nitramp 16y ago

KoZeN 16y ago

Fair point, the people I am referencing blatantly purchased their PhD without ever sitting a single exam or writing a single paper.

michael_dorfman 16y ago
From a reputable, accredited university? I think that's the slippery slope that the Prof in question is worried about. Right now, a PhD from the University of Manitoba should hold more value than a purchased one from a diploma mill. If enough of the requirements are waived, this may no longer be the case.
- dhimes 16y ago
  Unless he is referring to "honorary" doctorates, which are an entirely different conversation. These are sometimes given for reasons that may make it look like they were "purchased."

tjr 16y ago

E.g. here in Germany, you are required to write a Doctor's thesis (that needs to be accepted by a Professor) and pass an oral exam, but there are usually no required courses. Any specific examples of this? (In Germany or elsewhere?)

Nitramp 16y ago
Well, you can look at the individual University's pages. Having courses in a PhD, or having something like a "PhD program" in general, is still very rare. The common model is to take a job as an assistant researcher with the chair of your Professor, work on your PhD thesis and papers 50% of the time, and be treated like cheap slave labour by your professor the other 95% (sic!) of the time.
mwerty 16y ago
Albert Einstein