Originally Posted by
bcrosier
I'm not as well acquainted with the academic culture as you are, but my limited knowledge of it tells me that in serious circles WHERE you got that Masters and/or PhD. from matters a great deal. I don't think that a thesis-less masters will be taken seriously by many institutions if teaching and/or research at the university level is your goal.
The real doctorate in aviation is an ATP with several type ratings, and a number of years flying the line - preferably with some time as a check airman (or the corporate equivalent thereof). But, since that's not the language of academia, they'll invent their own system (regardless of how irrelevant it is).
You are absolutely correct in terms of the WHERE. For instance, getting a Doctorate from the University of Phoenix doesn't carry as much prestige or "respect", if you will, as receiving one from say University of Miami or University of Florida.
As far as having a non-thesis Master's degree, again you are correct....because if your goal is to instruct or conduct research, at some schools. you must defend your thesis just as the disertation at the PhD level.
Yes, having the varied, yet extensive aviation flight experience is the equivalent of the PhD in flight.
atp