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I have undergraduate degrees in applied mathematics, statistics and economics (2012). I have a masters in data science (2019). I work as a lead data scientist within fair lending. I’d like to contribute to the field! https://online.engineering.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5816/files/2024-04/gwu_program_flyers_-_april_2024_deng_ai.pdf
I have a PhD in ML so maybe I can share some thoughts on this. First things first, you don't do a PhD to just get a PhD. You do it because you are passionate about a certain topic area of research and want to do original research and contribute to the field. PhD programs are based alot on mentor student relationship. So getting to do a PhD and learning from reputable professors is what you should be after. Don't go for online PhD programs. They are a waste of time and you wouldn't really learn much. People think that you can do a PhD part-time. That is not the case. I have seen far too many people, more that 60% who leave PhD programs with a masters only because they can't take the hectic load, uncertainty in being able to come up with something novel and the crappy pay and terrible work life balance that comes with it. The only way to overcome all of that is if you truly are passionate about a research area and want to learn and contribute towards. But you come out of PhD, a completely changed person , with a different way of thinking and looking at it. And then there is this post-phd depression where you don't stay in academia, and instead join industry for the money and you are not doing anything major which is original and suddenly you loose all the meaning in your life (which I am kinda going through ). Anyways I digress. Feel free to reach out over DM if you need any additional help. TLDR: do a phD only if you are extremely motivated. Those 5-6 years of PhD you will be earning almost nothing (30-35k max a year) and will have a terrible WLB . Despite all of that, if given another chance, I would get a PhD again. No second thoughts. it changes you as a person.
Thank you for sharing your experience. This part hit home: “you come out of PhD, a completely changed person , with a different way of thinking and looking at it”!! My interest in this PhD program stems from my passion for responsible ai, particularly in fair lending. I have some ideas on how to build less discriminate alternative models that reduce disparity yet maintain business objective. I feel that a PhD program will equip me for this. Plus, I’ll have the credentials to influence decision makers. Will DM! Thank you!
This pretty well describes my experience getting a PhD. I'd really emphasize the terrible WLB. Halfway through my PhD I very much wanted to quit. I didn't, and am glad I finished it, but it was an extremely rough 6 years. Academia really takes advantage of doctoral students. Upside is like Kaiser said, changed me as a person. Make sure you're willing to go through that though. I think for most people a PhD doesn't make financial sense and I usually try to talk people out of it.
The pdf you posted is basically a money grab. It’s not a real PhD. They call it “doctor of engineering” but online and part time…hmm ok
Sorry. Can you help me understand your logic? It’s a money grab because it’s “online”? And where did you read “part time”?
There is no real well regarded PhD that is online or part time or that you have to pay. PhD programs are very selective, they are full time because it’s a job plus courses, and you get tuition remission and a fellowship (its minimum wage most of the time but you are only doing research plus classes). This program is just so that some people can be called doctor and it’s more like an online part time masters with a thesis.
Too late dude AI already flying!
Disagree! It’s day 1 for responsible ai
My simplistic view, what's your end goal? You want to go into academia and become a professor? Yes: get a PhD. No: skip the PhD and get work experience. A PhD is too costly financially and mentally to sacrifice $1.5 million dollars (Avg big tech TC $300K x 5 years) unless you are going for the tenure track route.
Have PhD. Depends on what you mean by “worth it”. IMO there is no especially meaningful ROI unless you go to a top program, have a well-regarded advisor who thinks of you when opportunities and projects arise, and you are extremely productive as a researcher during your time in the program (I would not underestimate how difficult this is). Could be worth it if you feel strongly about doing one. I wouldn’t do one online, I actually don’t even know how you could.
An online "doctor of engineering" from George Washington University? Well, maybe some folks could confuse it for a PhD from a reputable school like Washington University in St. Louis, or University of Washington in Seattle. Probably a lot less work than a real PhD, too!
Any other universities offering similar online PhD courses ?
I think John Hopkins might have one