Capella's PhD in education or other similar on-line programs

I am seeking information from anyone, outside of recruiters, who is familiar with Capella's PhD in Education with a specialization in training and performance improvement: the real cost, rigor, time to complete the degree, and graduation percentages especially for working adults with families. If anyone is familiar with other on-line doctoral programs with this kind of emphasis, that information would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you!

 

I don't know about the "emphasis" part of your question but you might want to have a look at the PhD in Education program offered through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It's well respected and probably less expensive than the Capella program.
Jack

 

Nebraska

I'd second the suggestion to look at Nebraska. However I'd suggest you contact them and inquire as to the specific curriculum you are interested in.

I had looked at Nebraska for a PhD in Educ. I was interested in tech education. After a number of long discussions with a number of profs at Nebraska we came to the conclusion that they did not have the curriculum and support for my studies.

Nebraska's online PhD program is oriented towards those who want to study the administration and organization in a higher ed institution.

Not sure they would have the specialization you want. They are cheaper than many schools, however the allure of getting a degree from a recognized state school, online, was mitigated by their seeminly narrower curriculum.

Reggie

 

Contact link....

Here is a url for the specific PhD online program I looked at:

http://edadone.unl.edu/Welcome.htm

 

Capella's PhD in Education

Hi meltondm,

Although I am not in the specialty you are considering, I'm in Capella's School of Ed., and can generally answer some questions about the school based on my experience and conversations I've had with a colleague of mine who is as well (my specialization is Instructional Design for Online Learning, his is Ed. Psychology).

In terms of cost, you pay a flat tuition rate for each quarter -- $3750 (unless you get a discount through a partnership with your employer, or military/vet discount). Most learners take 2 classes each quarter while working. Three is possible, and certainly more cost effective, but a killer as far as workload plus having a job.

Rigor tends to vary among instructors and classes (see the thread "Walden and Capella" for a discussion about this), but overall I'm satisfied, so far, with my program, and my colleague, who is done with classes and working on comps, agrees.

I'm taking 2 classes right now, and I put in about 20-30 hours total a week, depending on the week. This includes reading, writing papers, researching, and posting to the discussions in class. I also teach full time (4 univ. level writing classes), and although free time is scant, the workload is doable for me.

It's very possible to complete the PhD degree in three years, although many learners take four. You can transfer in up to 48 quarter hours, and if you are awarded full transfer, that leaves 12 required (core + specialization) classes to take. That would be 6 quarters. Then you have comprehensive papers to write (6), and that takes most learners two quarters to do, then dissertation. So, if you stayed on that schedule, and did your dissertation in a year, you could graduate in 3 years total.

In terms of successful graduation percentages, I really don't know, but one thing I do like a lot about Capella is both faculty and staff are very supportive of the students, and are very interested in helping students to succeed.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,

Adrienne

 

Don't forget the Nova SOutheastern Ed.D. in adult and higher education. I am aware of a number of Nova grads who hold substantial university positions. It is weathering the test of time and is less expensive than Capella.