Nova Southeastern Ph.D. Program Information

Hello everyone! This is my first post on this site. I suppose introductions are in order: My name is Paul Tatum, and I am Network Architecture Design Engineer for the United States Air Forces Central Network Operations and Security Center. I am working to obtain a Ph.D. in Information Systems/Technology. Currently, I am studying for my CCIE in Routing and Switching.

I am in the enrollment process for Nova Southeastern University's Ph.D. in Information Systems program starting in March 2009. I was hoping that some here with experience in NSU's GSICS Ph.D. program could give me some insight into what to expect. Some questions that come to mind are relevance of the coursework, student/professor interaction during courses and disertation. Any information shared is most appreciated.

Thank you to all!

 

Welcome.

I can't remember anyone in the board right now that is going to Nova Ph.D. in Information Systems. However, there is a member that went there, I am pretty sure he will jump in a give an inside of NSU.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Another program worth looking into is the Doctor of Science (DSc) in Information Systems program from Dakota State University (DSU). DSU is a lot less expensive compared to NSU and, since you already have an MSIS, you would be ready to jump right in with the doctoral level coursework.

http://www.dsu.edu/doctor-of-science/

 

Thanks... I looked at the program at DSU, and I saw that it has required on campus residencies. Nova does too. I'm in SC and Nova in Florida is drivable whereas DSU is not. Additionally, I really want the Ph.D. over a D.Sc. or D.C.S. because I am not in the academic world and I would need the instant recognition of a Ph.D. over the others.

I've done a lot of research on distance/online Ph.D. programs and I am pretty set on Nova. That's why I was hoping that someone with Nova experience could give me some insight.

Thanks to everyone!

 

Paul,

If "Ike" doesn't show up you might try PM'ing him. But here is a thread where he , and others, discussed the Nova program:

Nova Thread

 

Hi Paul,

I received my PhD in Computer Information Systems from GSCIS. It is indeed a good program and it has served me well. As you stated in your post, GSCIS operates a short-residency program that requires several mandatory campus visits. When I was a doctoral student, interaction among students and between students and professors was great. During each residency, courses were taught in the classrooms by professors just like in a traditional classroom from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. I received my PhD in 2003.

If I have to choose a doctoral program all over again, I will still choose a short-residency program. The residencies make one feel that he/she belongs to a scholarly community. It also provides an avenue for students and faculty to know one another and exchange intellectual ideas.

GSCIS professors are actively involved in research. Many have published widely in peer-reviewed journals. At least four GCIS professors have published college textbooks. One of the most prolific authors of IT textbooks (Dr. Deitel of Deitel and Deitel) used to be a GSCIS professor. He was at Nova for about 7 years. His fist two books (C: How to program and C++: How to program) were published while he was at Nova Southeastern University.

 

Thanks for that information! I have been curious as to how the residencies would work out. Having completed my last two degrees completely online, I know how easy it is for communication between Professors and students to fall apart or not even exist.

Ike, I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:

- How long were you at Nova? How long did you spend on your dissertation?

- What approach did you take with your coursework and with your dissertation?

- When taken, were the classes relevant to current trends in technology?

I am really glad to be in contact with you. I don't know anyone else in a doctoral program besides my Dad (Walden Ed.D.) and not many people I know have even heard of Nova.

Thanks again for your help!

 

- How long were you at Nova?

Answer: 5 years (1998 - 2003)

- How long did you spend on your dissertation?

Answer: 2 years and 4 months

- What approach did you take with your coursework and with your
dissertation?

Answer: For coursework, I was studying for about 15 hours a week. I finished all coursework before embarking on my dissertation. For dissertation, my approach was to determine my area of interest and then look for GSCIS dissertations in that area. After I found the one that was the closest to my research interest, I read the “Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Studies” section and picked one issue that required further studies and then approached the professor who supervised that dissertation. He accepted my topic. Next, I had to submit my idea paper (three times), my preliminary proposal (three times), my formal proposal (twice), and my final report (twice).

- When taken, were the classes relevant to current trends in technology?

Answer: Yes

I am going to the airport. I will not be able to visit this forum until after the New Year.

 

Thanks for you help! Have a safe trip!

 

You are wrong about DSU. It doesn't require residency.

"Graduation Requirements
To be certified for graduation, you will have to complete the following degree requirements:

Degree requirements
Successful completion of all courses listed on your MSIA, MSIS, MBA, MSHI, MSET, or D.Sc. Plan of Study within the 5-year time limit for Master's and 7-years for Doctorate students.
Achievement of a GPA of at least 3.0 (a "B" average), with no more than 6 credit hours of a "C" grade and no grade below a "C" in the courses on your Plan of Study.
Satisfaction of Regental standards for residency. This is satisfied by completing all but a maximum of nine credit hours of your coursework at DSU (distance courses count as "at DSU").
Successful completion of final assessment which could include portfolios, comprehensive exams, etc. Please see special program for more information on this. "

All courses in the program are available DL. Therefore there is no residency required.

 

You're replying to a thread that is several years old, as though the posts were made recently. I believe at the inception of this thread, DSU required on-campus residencies for some of their courses (mostly, master-level courses in the Network Administration and Security track). On-campus residencies may still be required for some of the courses in the track. A good place to reference for confirmation are catalogs from several years available here.