How Much Time Does a Ph . D . Need ?
John A . Stevenson
Abstract of Presentation
That question leads to some subsidiary but related ones : do we design requirements and demands so as to encourage disciplinary mastery or to develop transferrable skills ? How many years should a degree take ? These are not questions most departmental curriculum discussions have faced up to . Perhaps this is just as it should be , and one can imagine colleagues who would say , some will find academic employment , and since those who do not will still have good skills for a successful career , go ahead and maintain curricula with academic employment in mind since a happy outcome awaits everyone . The benefits may be direct , they may be collateral , but the benefits are there , either way . xiii