Michelle,
The PhD programs in Canada are a bit of a mix between the US model and
the EU model. The focus is on the research and the student may take
courses based on the needs deemed by the student, committee, and
comprehensive exam at the end of the first year of the PhD. To echo
what Fabrice said, it really comes down the school you choose. An
internationally recognized school in your field will give you the
credentials you need. If you wanted to work for the US government,
then it may benefit you to have working experience in the region where
you apply for an added advantage over other candidates.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Andrew
Andrew Lewin, M.Sc., Adv. Dipl. GIS
Email: andrew.le...@sympatico.ca
Tel: (905) 639-4646
Mobile: (905) 630-8441
Skype: andrew.lewin99
On 6-Apr-10, at 9:17 AM, Fabrice De Clerck wrote:
Michelle,
The three year PhD is typical of the European Degrees - what is lost
with the three year cycle is the course work which is virtually non-
existent with the EU degrees. Personally, I found that the course
work I took in my PhD was quite useful, however you might judge
otherwise. I find that people are generally very accepting of
foreign PhD's, what really matters is where you got it, and with
whom? A PhD with Oxford, the Sorbonne, Leuven, Wageningen etc... are
all well recognized.
Cheers!
Fabrice
On Apr 6, 2010, at 5:14 AM, Michelle Cook wrote:
I currently have a masters in biology and have been thinking about
getting
my PhD, and I would like to get some international experience as
well. So
my question is what is the difference between getting a PhD in the
U.S.
vs. getting one abroad? I have heard that international PhDs are
usually
research degrees (3 years) compared to a 4-5 year program in the
States.
In terms of future employement, will an international PhD be
accepted on
the samle level as a PhD earned from an accredited university in the
States (i.e. for government agencies)? I am really curious to hear
your
thoughts as I would really like to study abroad.
Thank you,
Michelle
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Fabrice DeClerck PhD
Community and Landscape Ecologist
Division of Research and Development
CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica 30501
(506) 2558-2596
fadecle...@catie.ac.cr
Adjunct Research Scholar
Tropical Agriculture Programs
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
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