More than 50 percent of doctoral students don’t complete their degrees. When it comes time to write that dissertation, factors like loneliness, burnout and time management struggles keep many from crossing the finish line to “Doctor” status.
But just in time for the school year, coaching and consulting firm Edlinguist Solutions has partnered with Academic Ladder Inc. and its Academic Writing Club to address the issue, launching the “Get Phinished Program” to help doctoral students complete their requirements. The 16-week online program gives students access to a supportive writing community, monthly coaching calls, webinars and more tools that provide the structure and support necessary for many to power through.
Universities should also take note, if they are interested in raising their doctoral completion rates.
Edlinguist Solutions founder and principal consultant LaNysha Adams was looking to connect with other D.C.-area woman-owned businesses that offer services similar to her own, so she reached out to Academic Writing Club founder Gina Hiatt on LinkedIn, and the idea for collaboration formed.
“Academic Ladder provides the structural support, and I provide the human element,” Adams said. She speaks from personal experience, having turned to the Academic Writing Club at the dissertation stage of her doctorate.
“When I was writing my dissertation, I was in crisis mode, so I hired a one-on-one coach who helped me get through the block,” Adams said. “When I’m coaching I’m so affirmative because I remember what it’s like. All you need is someone pushing you or cheerleading you because you really can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Once you get to that point it’s very difficult to manage your time, figure out what your next steps are and then to really concentrate to get it done,” she added. “And this really provides a measurable way to help hold you accountable and then provide support to help finish that process.”
The Get Phinished Program is launching with two groups, one that started Aug. 13 and one that begins Sept. 10. Students from Howard University, Fielding, Northeastern and the University of New Mexico have enrolled. They’re studying subjects ranging from archaeology to sociology to public policy, and Adams anticipates they will benefit from discussing their studies with people outside of their focus areas.
Not surprisingly, students at online doctorate programs are showing the most interest.
“I find that I’m getting a lot of interest from people who are in online Ph.D. programs because they don’t have the infrastructure that a traditional brick-and-mortar might have,” Adams said. “Even if you’re an independent learner you’re going to be challenged by it because so much of it’s in your head, so much reading and writing. What the group coaching experience that I’m designing does is pulls that out of people because you have to talk, you have to verbalize.”
She hopes to quantify her findings at the end of the semester to confirm its success.
The two pricing options are $1,300 for the 16 weeks upfront, and $1,500 if paying month to month. It comes out to less than $14 a day, Adams pointed out. “It’s a steal.”
