1. Presented June 14 th, 2008 in Varna, Bulgaria at the Bulgarian Studies and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences “ Bulgarian-American Dialogs" Plamen Miltenoff, Ph.D., MLIS, Associate Professor, Learning Resources and Technology Services St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN Gary Schnellert, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND Galin Tzokov, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department Education and Psychology Plovdiv University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria COMPARING ACADEMIC DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA & PLOVDIV UNIVERSITY PPT available at: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/pmiltenoff/conf2008/bsa.ppt

2. Keywords and Abstract Keywords: Higher education, doctoral programs, comparative education Abstract A case study compares the parameters and procedures utilized by the University of North Dakota (UND) in the United States and “Paisii Hilendarski” University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria for a successful completion of an academic doctoral degree. The case study evaluates specific policies and practices of each educational institution as it applies to each doctoral degree. The case study will examine also the strengths and barriers within each program.

3. Background information University of North Dakota (UND) (www.und.edu)www.und.edu – The UND academic doctorate in Educational Leadership is a cohort model and includes the process and information on items such as prerequisites, application procedures, difference between Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) and Philosophy Doctorate (Ph.D.), admissions, advisory procedures, course work, etc. University of Plovdiv (PU) (http://www.uni-plovdiv.bg/?ln=2)http://www.uni-plovdiv.bg/?ln=2 – The Plovdiv University academic doctorate in Theory of Education and Didactic (Management of Education) is a standard doctorate model mandated by the State Law for Higher Education and the Regulations for Doctorates. The model includes the acceptance procedures, assignation of the topic and the advisor. The individual plan and preparation procedures deal with the individual work, comprehensive exams and academic presentations and publications, and procedures accompanying the dissertation defense.

4. Admissions UND – Must have a masters degree – Maintained a least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) – Demonstrate a command of English with a writing sample – Have a statement of goals in line with the program – International students must show proof of affordability. PU – Department of Pedagogy submits to the Ministry of Education and Science a specific number of “doctoral student” positions – the Ministry confirms or revises – “regular” (редовна форма на обучение) and the second one is “distance education (задочна форма на обучение).

5. Admission UND State education agency Accreditation agency University graduate school Department Graduate program Federal Government State Government 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4

6. Admission PU Ministry of Education and Science (MES); University Department Graduate program 1 1 4 4 3 3 Accreditation agency 2 2

7. Coursework – UND - approximately 100 credit hours – 90 credit hours would be coursework. Equal 1350 classroom hours and at a minimum of 3700 clock hours of preparation work for the classroom setting. – 10 hours would represent dissertation credits. PU – individual plan, not standardized curricula

8. Ph.D. Department Ed.D. Theoretical research Practical research theoretical concepts coursework dissertation hours Coursework at UND

9. Coursework at PU “regular” Ph.D. students Department “self-paced” Ph.D. students 3 years 4 years

10. Curriculum UND – Must have take or will take concurrently 30 credit hours of course work in Educational Leadership. – Courses transferred in from other accredited institution, however, 40 credit hours must be earned at UND. – Course work topics are governed by an advisory committee of practitioners & researchers. – Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA to remain in the program. PU – Individual plan, no standardized curricula

11. Discussion UND – Streamline the application process (less time consuming) – Move at a more rapid pace to on-line delivery – Require a research publication from students – Implement an international experience for the student to experience during the program. Or a student may demonstrate that s/he has international experience PU – Streamline individual coursework into cohorts – Increase the curriculum load and introduce credits accountability to enable standardization and comparability on international level – Defend and receive diploma on university level (versus national)

12. Discussion and Questions Plamen Miltenoff – pmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu pmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu – Skype ID: aidedza – Second Life ID: Aidemoreto Laryukov Gary Schnellert – gary.schnellert@und.nodak.edu gary.schnellert@und.nodak.edu Galin Tzokov – g_tzokov@mail.bg g_tzokov@mail.bg