Thread: DBA or PHD in Business from NCU

Due to some interesting information I got earlier today regarding Tuition Assistance I am looking at the possibility, if life allows, or pursuing Doctorate level education after my Masters. Now, noted this is a long way off, if I pursue a Doctorate level degree it will likely be through NCU (due to their being regionally accredited and relatively cheap at around 310 per credit hour, trying to stay close to the 250 that tuition assistance would cover). With that said, I am wondering what path would be more beneficial in the long run with both professional options and possibly the ability of teaching in classroom later in life, the DBA or the PHD in Business Administration ?

Also, if you know of any regionally accredited schools that are at or lower than NCU for military I would love to hear that info as well.

As always thanks for entertaining my questions and I look forward to any input.

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I'm part of the adjunct hiring hiring process at my institution, and at least at my institution the DBA/PhD thing would be completely irrelevant. I know it wouldn't matter at all at the other institutions where I've worked, and expect that it would rarely matter, if ever.

so is there essentially no difference between the way the two degrees are viewed? What is the actual difference? I went through the program requirements and they appear to be very similar so I am not even certain what distinguishes one from the other.

A PhD requires an original concept for the dissertation while the DBA is more practical where a previous theory is currently applied and you note the results. That is the way I have it in my head and I am sure someone will correct me

I went with the PhD because (1) it is more universally recognized (2) I worked in IT and did not want it confused with a database administrator DBA (3) I had a burning question/theory I wanted an answer to and no one else ever researched it.

I have only see one time where an adjunct position called for a PhD and a DBA would be “considered” Every other time they require a PhD or DBA.

Originally Posted by bpreachers

so is there essentially no difference between the way the two degrees are viewed? What is the actual difference? I went through the program requirements and they appear to be very similar so I am not even certain what distinguishes one from the other.

We have discussed this many times so you might want to do a search for this PhD vs DBA debate. In short, some institutions such as NCU differentiate the DBA as being a lighter more professional oriented doctorate while at other institutions the DBA is the only terminal business degree option (e.g Nova).

More than the degree designation, is the prestige of the institution granting the degree that matters the most. However, the PhD is usually perceived as superior in particular if the institution grants both degrees (PhD and DBA).

If you decide to stay with NCU, I think the PhD option would be preferable mainly because is usuallly perceived as a stronger degree.

NCU suggest that the DBA only takes 3 years
http://www.ncu.edu/download/GE_Disclosure_DBA.PDF

while the PhD takes 5 years
http://www.ncu.edu/download/GE_Disclosure_PhD-BA.PDF

As these programs are meant for working professionals, I assume that the 3 and 5 years are part time study.

So if we take the NCU's view, the DBA looks like a watered down version of the PhD. It seems that is marketed as a professional degree for MBAs that are not willing to take 5 years to finish a doctorate and are happy with a "Doctor of" designation by saving two years of work.

The DBA at Nova takes at least 5 years part time so it is safe to say that it is as rigorous as the PhD at NCU.

So as you notice, each University labels its programs and formats it according to their own marketing strategy so the market uses more the prestige of the school than the designation for the same reason.




In the US the DBA vs PhD is not a big deal but I know that in Australia and the UK is a big deal as many Universities won't take a DBA as full time faculty for more research oriented programs.

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Well, Capella is a Yellow Ribbon School:

http://www.capella.edu/inc/pdf/marke...yfinal_NC1.pdf

As far as DBA v. PhD, I don't believe it is going to make a difference. What is going to make the difference is the "body of work" you bring (presentations, publications, academic experience, etc.) Also, you need to realize that if you don't have an AACSB accredited degree, your options will be more limited.

Shawn

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Originally Posted by RFValve

We have discussed this many times so you might want to do a search for this PhD vs DBA debate.

I know and I have read those posts however I wanted more specific towards my situation of it being the same exact school for either degree. Wanted to get a feel for what people's opinions would be in the case of the DBA and PHD in Business Admin if the school was the same for both.

Originally Posted by bpreachers

Wanted to get a feel for what people's opinions would be in the case of the DBA and PHD in Business Admin if the school was the same for both.

I believe that if your option is between a PhD or DBA from NCU, I would go with the PhD unless you have a strong reason to finish your degree faster.

If the option is between a PhD from NCU or a DBA from a better school (e.g. Nova), I would say go for a DBA from a better school.

If you goal is to become full time professor, I would check the placement rates of alumni of the school before enrolling. Some schools like Nova, Walden and Argosy have good placement rates for full time faculty, NCU has some success stories but not as many as good established schools like Nova.

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Originally Posted by RFValve

I believe that if your option is between a PhD or DBA from NCU, I would go with the PhD unless you have a strong reason to finish your degree faster.

If the option is between a PhD from NCU or a DBA from a better school (e.g. Nova), I would say go for a DBA from a better school.

If you goal is to become full time professor, I would check the placement rates of alumni of the school before enrolling. Some schools like Nova, Walden and Argosy have good placement rates for full time faculty, NCU has some success stories but not as many as good established schools like Nova.

I know many on here disagree with the mentality but NCU is more of a price choice than anything else. The Navy's Tuition Assistance program will cover a Doctoral degree such as a DBA of the PHD in BA at the rate of 250 per credit hour for 15 credits per annum. This would mean that with NCU I would only come out of pocket around 177 per class 9not including books which would be gotten via bookrenter.com. So its hard to look at far more expensive options when I could come out so low with NCU ya know.

Originally Posted by bpreachers

I know many on here disagree with the mentality but NCU is more of a price choice than anything else. The Navy's Tuition Assistance program will cover a Doctoral degree such as a DBA of the PHD in BA at the rate of 250 per credit hour for 15 credits per annum. This would mean that with NCU I would only come out of pocket around 177 per class 9not including books which would be gotten via bookrenter.com. So its hard to look at far more expensive options when I could come out so low with NCU ya know.

I understand that logic. That was a big point for me and NCU as a pick.

Originally Posted by bpreachers

I know many on here disagree with the mentality but NCU is more of a price choice than anything else. The Navy's Tuition Assistance program will cover a Doctoral degree such as a DBA of the PHD in BA at the rate of 250 per credit hour for 15 credits per annum. This would mean that with NCU I would only come out of pocket around 177 per class 9not including books which would be gotten via bookrenter.com. So its hard to look at far more expensive options when I could come out so low with NCU ya know.

If Cost is the main issue, the DBA would be more cost effective as it can be completed faster so you can start recovering your investment sooner.

If all you want is a doctorate to teach on the side, I think the DBA or PhD will do it.

Originally Posted by RFValve

If Cost is the main issue, the DBA would be more cost effective as it can be completed faster so you can start recovering your investment sooner.

If all you want is a doctorate to teach on the side, I think the DBA or PhD will do it.

Thanks for all the insight. It should take me four years start to finish (so if all goes well Ill be finishing a DBA at my 14 year mark in the navy). I say 4 years because I am limited to 15 credits per year (ie 5 classes). That would bring my total out of pocket expense for classes (not including books) to 3500 . Now I just gotta hope our wonderous government doesn't yank our education benefits out from under us before I can start in late 2013-2014.

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I am also potentially interested in the DBA that the poster wants. After reading this board and all of the negative press about the level (or lack of) of faculty support and poor business practices (tuition increases), I would likely consider another institution.

Originally Posted by Randell1234

I understand that logic. That was a big point for me and NCU as a pick.

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Originally Posted by jobee

I am also potentially interested in the DBA that the poster wants. After reading this board and all of the negative press about the level (or lack of) of faculty support and poor business practices (tuition increases), I would likely consider another institution.

Always remember that the "loudest" voices are always those that are unhappy. Also, I have yet to hear anything bad about their dealings with military which is the most important factor in my case. Bad press is bad press but if they treat vets right than I have no issue.

Originally Posted by bpreachers

Always remember that the "loudest" voices are always those that are unhappy. Also, I have yet to hear anything bad about their dealings with military which is the most important factor in my case. Bad press is bad press but if they treat vets right than I have no issue.

I'm of the ones that suggest an AACSB doctorate but also don't think the market cares much about the different non ranked RA school.

In the real world, few would know the difference between NCU, Walden, Alliant International University, Colorado Technical University , South University , Argosy or any other for profit RA University. If the goal is to get a degree to teach on the side as an adjunct, any school with RA accreditation would do. If the employer is paying for this and you like NCU, why not? Go for it!

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Originally Posted by jobee

I am also potentially interested in the DBA that the poster wants. After reading this board and all of the negative press about the level (or lack of) of faculty support and poor business practices (tuition increases), I would likely consider another institution.

The customer service is pretty poor. If you can get past that you will be fine. I have only had one instructor that did not return my work in a timely manner. My dis chair was awesome - turn around time of 24-48 hours on every paper. 24 hours was 85% of the time and 48 hours was 15% of the time.