What is the top-ranked school which offers a Phd in Computer Science through distance learning? Thanks in advance, Rick.
Basically, Nova Southeastern is the only RA institution offering a PhD via distance learning (and they do require a few trips to Florida). NCU offers a DBA with a CS-like concentration, but ultimately it's a degree in business administration rather than CS. University of South Africe (UNISA) offers a DL PhD in CS. As far as I know, that's it.
I have checked out the Nova Southeastern website a few times and they seem to have a good program. Going to Florida does not seem to be all that bad especially if the school is in a good area and perhaps near some interesting attractions, etc. Does anyone know if Carnegie Mellon offers only Masters or if they have any online Phd programs?
Colorado Technical University offers a Doctor of Computer Science degree via distance learning. CTU is more expensive than others and does require 3 visits to their campus per year. I can't whether this D.CS. program is similar in scope to a PhD in computer science, but it appears that it is. More info on the program can be found at the link below. Colorado Tech University Doctorate
If I remember correctly, CTU doesn't require a dissertation, but rather papers for six or so projects. For this, plus the fact that they are soooo expensive, I can't see any reason to choose this program over Nova Southeastern. The only other program I'm considering is the Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) in Computing at Pace University. I still believe the PhD from Nova is a better program; however, Pace might have a more respected image in the northeast. Like CTU, this program is very expensive.
You are correct. No dissertation required. There are 'projects' involved throughout the program that take the place of the dissertation. CTU is roughly $55K for the program...not counting travel costs to campus 3 times a year (for 3 to 4 days per visit).
How much is a Phd from Nova? If you already have a masters in CS will Nova would reduce the number of required Phd courses?
About $30,000 if you complete it in 3 years. Nova requires a masters coming in. Whether or not it is from Nova doesn't affect the coursework, as far as I can tell.
BTW, at the risk of being obvious, getting a PhD in computer science is not all its cracked up to be, at least in the US: http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/ (satirical truth)
I did see a chart of the median salary of bachelors, masters, and doctorate holders in CS. There was a reasonable jump in salary for masters holders and a big drop-off in median salary for doctorate holders (to a number below the bachelors holders). The difference, of course, if the professions - programmers make more money than professors. But it was interesting, nonetheless.
