Innovation in Doctoral Degrees Designed for Adult Learners: A Hybrid Model in Personal Financial Planning

Writing what has since become a seminal article in the assessment of doctoral training, Nyquist (2002) stated that “we need to honestly assess the efficacy of the PhD now to ensure that its recipients continue to make the kinds of contributions in the public and private spheres that the nation needs to remain strong” (p. 14). Nyquist went on to document shortcomings with the way in which nearly all traditional doctoral programs are designed. Specifically, PhD training in the United States is often perceived as a long, intensive event and, by default, a campus-oriented experience. Criticisms of doctoral studies include high attrition rates, lack of interdisciplinary study, underrepresentation of women and minorities, and disconnected specialization. Nyquist challenged the paradigm of conventionality by prescribing the following seven steps that could be taken to improve doctoral education (p. 15):