Financial View of U of P, Touro, NCU for Doctorate

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by rnattorney, Dec 5, 2003.

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  1. rnattorney

    rnattorney New Member

    In researching DL doctorate programs in Business my 3 favs are U of P, Touro, and NCU. These are my comments and would so appreciate thoughts on these 3 schools for the cost outlay and the quality you receive for your buck.

    U of P-DBA, well laid out, nice variety in classes, short residency 1 week 1st year, weekend 2nd, 1 week 3rd year. 3.5 year program. 1st year DBA residency consisted of students in many different countries, a few CEO's, professors, and etc. etc. (I got this from a post from a gal who was in the first DBA residency, and she was very excited) However, if your masters is not in business there are 5-6 prereq classes. Cost is high. 42000 for the estimate with the travel and tuition. Title IV school, so eligible for federal financial aid for the entire program regardless of income. Awesome web site in explaining how to apply for fiancial aid. Admission counselors readily available. Been around since the mid 1970. Largest private university. Require 3.0 in masters level.

    Touro-Entire program online, no books, entire program on the internet or CD. Programs full for Ph.D until Spring 2004. Programs appear geared toward the financial business view than a few other doctorates in business. This is good for some, and others prefer more marketing, business systems. Can be completed in 18 months for coursework, 1 year with dissertation. Web site is a bit limited in information about financial aid process, and costs. My rough figuring on costs at $2000 a course. If you have a masters in business, and can get your dissertation completed in 1 year, I believe the cost would be around $35000. If you have to take the prereq because your masters is not business it will cost about $8000 more. Admissions are responsive, but not hard sell. The criteria for admissions requires a 3.4 at the masters level, high standard than most DL. Title IV eligible, so can received federal financial aid regardless of income.

    NCU-new kid on the block with RA. May chose specializations, much more flexibility in course choice. 100% online. 9 months of accrediation many positive things, several transfer programs with good brick and mortar schools, faculty 80% doctorate, have been around for 7 years, and it took 2-3 years to receive full accrediation and made many changes. Dissertations posted by graduates of good to high quality. Also, being fairly newly RA there are some negative comments, and with the founder being connected with a non accredited, but state approved college in CA since the 1970's, some individuals use that as a negative note, others that he has been in private education since the 1970's and provides a decent CA school for those who do not care about regional accrediation, but just state approval (like the state approved CA online Law Schools, but not ABA). Price is very reasonable. The cost is about $21000. Is not a Title IV school. Can pay tuition at 50% at time of course, the rest of 2 months. Or can apply for a private Sallie Mae loan. Interest rates from 4% to 14% if you qualify. Payment begins immediately, but can opt for interest only payments while in school. 15 year payback.

    Ok, any comments would be appreciated for the type of education for the money. All 3 I think are worthy of RA accrediation, and offer so many more options to individuals than the old days of having to quit your job and leave home to get your doctorate.

    Note-Federal student loans for graduate students running about 3.5% with much better pay back options than the old days. Vs. Private financing with higher interest rates, but tuition is almost 40% less.

    What ya think?
     
  2. friendship7

    friendship7 Guest

    You bring up some rather interesting points on each of the schools you have discussed. I suppose it depends on your financial situation, goals and so forth. I have two friends at Touro who report that they are very, very pleased with the program. I understand that the work required is rigorous but at the same time fulfilling. They seem to like the interaction with the instructors and find that they set aside time for one on one discussions via the telephone should the need arise.

    I shared my thoughts on NCU in a prior posting - I am attending the school and for me, the program has worked out well. I have also found it challenging.

    I can't comment too much on UofP since I don't know much about the school. From what I have read on this board, there appears to be different opinions (just like NCU).

    There is another school of course, Capella, which seems to have a solid reputation. Have you checked them out?

    I suppose all of this boils down to your situation and so forth - I know picking a doctoral program isn't easy.

    Hope that helps:)
     
  3. rnattorney

    rnattorney New Member

    Thank you so much for your reply. I am really, really confused as to the best program. I have researched the schools. I checked out Capella, and liked it, but it was either the cost, or a bit more extensive residencies than I felt comfortable with.

    May I have your email to discuss NCU a bit more with you?

    Thanks.
     
  4. friendship7

    friendship7 Guest

  5. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    Have you looked into Nova Southeastern? Compared to the three you list below, NSU has some strong points:

    1. NSU has been around quite a bit longer than the others - going back to the 80's with their DBA program.
    2. NSU isn't a virtual only school - they have a significant campus in Florida with a number of traditional programs (law, medicine, etc.). Also, they have a strong library with good DL support. I checked on NSU's library spending patters compared with those of the competition. NSU spends far more on library resources than its competition.
    3. NSU's physical campus comes in handy when you attend on-campus seminars. Rather than meeting in a hotel or rented campus, NSU's business school is located in a large building on campus - within 100 yards of the largest library building in the state of Florida. Though this forum is dedicated to DL learning - there are times that traditional settings have some pluses.
    3. NSU's program has much more face to face time with peers and faculty. I found this to be a really strong point for NSU. Yes - I had to spend weekends away from home - but I develop a strong sense of togetherness with my peers that a totally on-line program might not offer.
    3. NSU has a sizable full-time faculty (as does TUI). The others count mostly on part-timers. The biggest problem with part-timers is that they don't provide the kind of continuity and on-going support that full timers can provide.
    4. NSU is non-profit (as is Touro). When I think of the for-profit operations I shutter - over 50% of the tuition dollars you pay go for selling, administration, profit and taxes. Non-profits like NSU spend far more of their tuition dollars on educational expenses.
    5. NSU has a large number of students in their program and offers specializations in areas like finance, marketing, international, HR, IT, etc. Further, they actually have full-time faculty to anchor these areas.

    Regards - Andy

     
  6. tesch

    tesch New Member

    Re: Re: Financial View of U of P, Touro, NCU for Doctorate

    Andy,

    NSU does have an impressive campus with wide range of programs and specializations. In addition to medical and law schools, they also have programs in dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry.

    Indeed it is a very comprehensive and solid school.

    Tom
     

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