Changing Degree Completion Time: Dissertations and Humanities

The amount of time it takes to earn a degree varies significantly, depending on many factors. From the type of course you’re taking to the college you attend, all aspects play a role in just how long it takes to graduate. On average, however, college students are earning their Ph.D.s in approximately 5.9 years. While reform efforts have been trying to shorten these time frames, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has found data indicating that some programs are taking much longer than others

Dissertation Times

Many believe that dissertation times are the problem. Dissertations are completed individually and on one’s own time. Students must also find funding for this portion completely on their own. With the extra work involved, people believe that this is the portion that makes the time to degree longer and is one central reason why ThePensters says custom dissertations is a rapidly growing industry. In the humanities field, however, which is said to have one of the longest degree routes, the time spent on dissertations actually meets the median range for all degree choices. It only takes approximately 3 years to complete a dissertation – on average

Study Times

phd completeion woman

Reforms in Place

While the time to degree amounts are still unsettling to many, it has been found that current reforms in place have been working, at least to some extent. The results may not be tremendous, or anywhere close to where they should be, but progress is visible. In 2003, the average time to degree for humanities reached over 7 years. The average is now at 6.9. The longest time reported was for a Ph.D. in History, which took over 7.2 years in 2012. Since then, even that number has decreased slightly

Five-Year Humanities Ph.D. Movement

Five year plans are being recommended to universities. Professor of comparative literature and German studies, Russell Berman, is leading this movement, hoping to have colleges follow the recommendations being set. While teaching at Stanford University, Berman also helped produce an MLA report with the Modern Language Association. The report details how coursework can be streamlined to ensure shorter time frames for completing courses. This movement is mainly based in the humanities field, which takes about 1 year longer to complete than the average of other Ph.D degrees

The time it takes from starting college to actually earning a Ph.D. needs to be reduced significantly. While some reforms are already in place, more needs to be done to drop the time to degree average. Seven years is a long time to spend learning in one field. The Five-Year Movement is slowly being adopted by universities around the globe so students can put their degrees to work sooner.

Resources:

https://www.thepensters.com/dissertations/

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2015/07/uc_irvine_s_5_2_program_a_good_idea_but_the_worst_job_title_in_academia.single.html

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/05/28/mla-report-calls-phd-program-reform-including-cutting-time-degree

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight – a South African Memoir

The war began in 1964. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is set in the summer of ‘79, just before an election, with white minority rule under threat.

With Republicans in Power, Firearms Rights Advocates Push to Reform Gun Laws

Gun Owners of America, a gun rights lobby, joined...

Israel Film Festival (IFF)-June 6, 2025 Prelude Luncheon

While the world antagonizes Israel, currently fighting an existential war, the Israel Film Festival (IFF) proudly held its annual sponsor luncheon.

Unibeam Secures $6M to Replace Vulnerable SMS OTPs with SIM-Based Authentication

In a bold move to redefine digital authentication, Israeli...

Can A Boiler Explode

Boiler explosions sound like something out of a disaster...

Not In Our Backyard Say Illinoisians of a Proposed New Slaughterhouse

Does anything separate rural and urban communities more than...

Native American Celebration in the Shadow of New York Mascot Name-Change Lunacy

On June 1st, 2025, Lotus Music & Dance hosted the 23rd Drums Along the Hudson Pow Wow native american celebration at Inwood Hill Park

Related Articles

Popular Categories