A question about Ph.D's?

Question

I was wondering if there are other means beside going to graduate school to getting your ph.d? For example, if I were to right a thesis outside university and submit it to for example the International Mathematics Union and I've presented a good theory. Will the university be impressed and reward me a doctorate degree for my achievements? I'm not saying I'm a genius or anything like that I was just curious, if theres another way to get a ph.d besides going through graduate school. Thanks

Answer 1

You MUST enter a doctoral program through an accredited graduate school to earn any type of doctoral degree, including the Ph.D. I'm sorry, but this is the way it is. You meet with a committee which monitors your progress. You also submit your final dissertation to this committee. Holding the title "DR" holds great prestige. There is no easy route.

The only exception is the "honorary doctorate." Occaisionally, universities give these to individuals who have distinguished themselves so greatly that they wish to honor them somehow. This is usually reserved for Nobel Prize Winners, etc.

The answer to your basic question is: no, you can't do that.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Anyone contemplating writing a thesis "for fun" on their own time really SHOULD be in grad school. My social science dissertation was almost 350 pages long. It's a long, arduous process and the final product must be approved by a committee. Also, you're required to complete a number of courses too, just like for a college degree. Your course work helps prepare you for writing your dissertation. The quality of your theory, research, and writing is greatly improved by the feedback from your professors.

I think you would offend most professors/universities by going about things your way. Yes, be excited about mathematics and write down ideas as they come to you, but please realize that a Ph.D. worth earning is worth earning the old fashioned way. Professors would love to work with someone as eager as you sound.

Answer 3

Universities can give anyone degrees in anything they like. For example, many speakers at large university commencements receive honorary degrees in subjects they are recognized for. A politician might receive an honorary degree in political science or philosophy. I haven't heard of too many of these being given in the "hard" sciences though like math or chemistry. So if you want an honorary doctorate all you need to do is become famous enough to speak at a large university!

Answer 4

Hello -

If you're inclined, there are institutions available on the internet (belforduniversity.org, for example) that give degrees for life experience, requiring relatively little work and for a nominal fee.

Furthermore, the fictional government of Anodyne offers honorary degrees by virtue of its sovereign nature (see republicofanodyne.org), issuing them under the aegis of their fictional univeristy, the Anodyne University at Oxford.

These degrees, however, are generally not accredited by national institutions and are not recognized as valid indicators of academic accomplishment. The organizations that offer them are pejoratively referred to as "diploma mills," and individuals who present them as credentials are seen as extremely suspicious. Several government and educational officials have been deposed for this reason.

Honorary degrees are conferred by universities upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society -- they are not, however, generally conferred merely for a brilliant theory. For the most part, you will probably need to go through the agonizing, decade-long process of earning a phD through conventional methods.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You have to go to graduate school & have a master's degree already. You will need to write a long thesis eventually too. My Dad had PhD in Education.

Answer 6

It's VERY rare, but it is possible to get into a PHd program after a STELLER bachelor's study. Perfection and sacrifice would be the only way to do that. Otherwise, Grad school and that darn thesis is the only way.

Answer 7

The only other way would be to get one of the honorary degrees given to people who do something good in society or who are rich or famous. Do it the way all the rest of us are....go to school bust your ***, have absolutely no life, and get your PhD the real way

Answer 8

No PhD without paying the fees...that means enrolling and paying tuition (or working as an indentured servant).

Answer 9

If you make a major contribution to society, you can be awarded an honourary doctorate.

Answer 10

I don't mean to be obnoxious, but you should first understand the difference between "right" and "write."