Northcentral University (NCU) M ED and/or EDD or PHD-ED Info

Discussion in 'Education, Teaching and related degrees' started by managerial0550, Oct 2, 2012.

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  1. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    Not a recruiting thread at all
    Yes I work for NCU and go to school there as well but I'm in the MBA program

    I can answer any questions you may have about the programs/cost/class experience etc etc
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Thanks, many have attened and/or graduated from NCU so I think we all have a good idea about NCU. It is always good to have another resource.


    I completed a PhD from NCU - 2010
     
  3. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    nice congrats! I hope your experience was good!
     
  4. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    Thats great! How was your experience with NCU from A to Z?
     
  5. suelaine

    suelaine Member

    I earned a Ph.D. in Education: Technology Management from NCU in 2010.
    Earning a doctorate degree was difficult especially since I experienced some very serious personal setbacks in life during the time I was enrolled (death of a step-daughter, death of both my in-laws, and death of my father, just for starters).

    Overall, I can look back and say that NCU was the right choice for me. At the time I enrolled it was the lowest possible tuition option for me, for a regionally accredited doctorate program based in the USA. I also like the independent learning structure of NCU.

    I finished it, and was immediately hired at a B&M University as an assistant professor. It was the right choice for me and I'm glad I did it.
     
  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    The academic side was fine. The administrative side was comical at times. The AA was useless and never could answer a question. There were a few times when calls/questions would go unanswered for days. Here are some of the note I kept:
    The NCU dissertation delay -

    I submitted my first draft of a completed manuscript that was approved by my chair in April. There were many changes required (that were very legitimate) but it has taken from April to November to go from first final draft to approved paper and I am not even there yet. From 2004 (when I started) to April 2010 everything was fine when dealing with the school. Since April, here are some of the challenges I have faced at NCU-

    --April/May--
    I had my chair drop towards the end of my dissertation process, just as I submitted my final draft to the committee. I asked a committee member to step up and he did. Asked another person to join the committee and he did. This was all done in 48 hours. I contacted my “advisor” and she said all the paper work was done for the change. I submitted my paper and waited 3 weeks without a response from my new committee member. It turned out he was never really added and never got the paper. Once he did get the paper, he turned it around within 48 hours with quality feedback. The school granted me a 30 day extension of the class at no charge.

    --July / August--
    I submitted my revised manuscript with the change matrix. My chair submitted the manuscript but not the change matrix. He missed the email saying the school never got the change matrix. After multiple emails, we found out they did not have the change matrix so I had to resubmit it. This meant another 30 day delay.

    --September—
    Had my paper approved by the committee but reject by the school. This was not a shock. The school changed policy and if you submit twice to the school and it is rejected you run the risk of being removed from the program. This decision would be made after the school has a conference call with you and your chair. After my first submission/rejection I got an invitation for a conference call. I freaked out that I was being targeted to be removed due to some mix up and them thinking I submitted my paper for the second time. It took a week to get an answer that this was normal. They wanted to have the call to answer any questions about the reviewer’s feedback. While this is great, the stress of not knowing what was going on and representatives from the school and the chair not knowing was ridiculous. No time lost but a lot of stress due to lack of understanding of the policy by me, the chair, and the school!

    --October/November--
    Had my paper approved by the committee and final approval by the school reviewer on October 13th. It took until October 18th to find a date for the defense that works for all committee member and myself. The chair submitted the proposed date to the school (October 18th) while we waited on Provost approval.

    After the school reviewer approved the paper it went to the Provost for final approval…so I thought. In the NCU system the paper gets approved by the school, they send it to the chair saying “Approved”, the chair sends it back to the school Provost. A step was missed because it was assumed that this was automatically forwarded within the school once approved but I guess that makes too much sense. After the school approved it I tried to set up a defense date while waiting on the Provost. I waited 3 weeks for my suggested defense date to be accepted. I kept asking why it was not accepted and no one knew. I got a message the day before the defense date (11/10/2010) that the Provost did not approve my paper (he just got it on 11/8) because of a spelling error, a redundant sentence, and an unclear part on methodology. He commented that I “…may have covered the methodology clearly but he did not see it right away.” So 15 minutes of changes are required, a resubmission, and rescheduling of the defense (which should have been 11/11/2010). There is not a charge for the delays and the school is not asking me to take another class so that is a good thing. All of these delays did not equal any extra money. I don’t think this is a ploy for money as many people say. I just think the left hand does not even know the right hand exists!

    This is not passing judgment as I am sure all schools have their administrative issues. I am working through these types of “confusions” at Florida State College right now, but I should get a metal for putting up with the “challenges” of NCUs system. The educational quality is great; the administrative support is lacking. I hope it gets better one day.
     
  7. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    Im glad you had a great experience especially with the personal things that went on!
     
  8. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    Ouch. I'm surprised your AA didnt help with the steps and feedback more often. I mean thats their job to get you through the program and help you out. I'm not on that side of the house so I can't comment about them.

    I think they got a lot of feedback about NCU's dissertation process and I think they are clearing things up behind the scenes for the learners. My colleague who is the dissertation AA now at NCU is amazing and does a great job at providing information to people
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    My AA was completely worthless. I would not trust her to boil water.
     
  10. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    well again I apologize. I wish u would have been my student. Absolutely would have given you a great experience
     

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