Demand, Institutional Capacity, and Program Viability for a Doctor of Philosophy in English Language Education
Elreen Aguilar-Delavin
Discipline: English Language
Abstract:
This convergent mixed-methods study examined the feasibility of of- fering a Doctor of Philosophy in English Language Education at the Graduate School of Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) in Masbate, Philip- pines. A total of 128 education stakeholders answered a question- naire covering respondent characteristics, 19 five-point feasibility in- dicators, and open-ended questions. Frequencies, percentages, and weighted means were used for the quantitative data, while written responses were analyzed thematically. Respondents rated all five do- mains very highly: market demand, resources and infrastructure, cur- riculum and course structure, potential impacts and outcomes, and overall feasibility. The strongest results concerned the program's rel- evance to current educational needs, its expected contribution to in- stitutional reputation and professional leadership, and the recom- mendation to proceed. The qualitative data, however, placed clear conditions on implementation, particularly faculty sufficiency, re- search resources, affordability, flexible access for participants from distant municipalities, and careful program sequencing. Under the stated assumptions, the six-year projection produced positive annual balances and a cumulative net balance of PHP 914,700. The program appears viable, but its opening should follow regulatory approval, verified faculty and resource capacity, a defensible cost plan, and con- tinuing quality assurance.
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