Which PhD is right for me?

I am having a really hard time with selecting a PhD program. Here are my choices and the reasons the programs will or will not work for me-

TUI
On the positive side - they are RA, I would be able to go right into the PhD in Business since I am in the MS-ITM program, it is 100% DL.
On the negitive side - if I am not selected as a GA I would have to pay about 4K per year out of pocket, I do not feel like I am learning a lot in the MS program (I do not think reading a couple of articles and writing a short paper is all that challanging - I like text books) and I think the same style will carry to the PhD program, not accepting new students

UoP
On the positive side - they are RA, it is a known school
On the negitive side - residency, cost too much

Nova
On the positive side - they are RA, very well respected, associated with a traditional school, local campus that meets once a month
On the negitive side - they are expensive and would cost me about 4K per year out of pocket not including residency expenses, require a residency at the Ft Lauderdale campus as well as the local campus meetings once a month, would have to take the GRE and several pre-req classes

NCU
On the positive side - they are RA, 100% DL, would not cost anything out of pocket
On the negitive side - they do not seem to be well respected on this forum, no traditional school is associated with them, relatively unknown

Regent University's Doctor of Strategic Leadership
On the positive side - they are RA, B&M school, NO DISSERTATION!!!
On the negitive side - they are expensive, residency


CPU
On the positive side - cheap, respected non-RA school
On the negitive side - not RA

California University of Business and Technology
On the positive side - cheap
On the negitive side - not RA

Here is my situation - I travel a lot so campus visits, even once a month, can be hard. My employer pays 4K per year tuition assistance and I really do not want to pay anything out of pocket. Since I do not have an RA MBA, the classes will not count as meeting the pre-reqs for Nova, I do not think I want to teach full time but things always change and I do not want to have to "do things over" like I did with my CCU degrees. I want to continue my education because I have the time, ability, and money.

Some words of advice please!

 

I think it depends quite a bit on what you want to use the degree for.....teaching, business, self-satisfaction, something else?

 

Randall,

I believe tuition either has or is going to take a jump with NCU. There was a posting regarding this rate increase at Collegehints. I have not verified this information.

 

I am not sure and I think that is a big problem. I enjoy teaching (I am a field service engineer / field service engineer trainer), I want to be promoted from my current position to Area Service manager when an open position comes availible, I want the self-satisfaction of continued education and earn the title of Dr. (I am the first on in my family to earn a degree).

So I guess the answer to you question is YES

 

Have you considered one of the South African schools? Some of them appear to be highly-regarded and very inexpensive.

 

Why don’t you try UNISA it is cheap, well respected, accepted in the US, most often it is 100% DL. The only draw back to them its hard getting in contact with them unless you use the phone.

 

I am a student at NCU with Ph.D in Business Administration. Yes, tuition is going up due to becoming a Title IV school with added administrative costs, but it is still in my research, the best priced RA DL Ph.D program even with the added tutition cost.

In the Midwest, I have found it to be respected, and my personal experience has been challenging, interesting, and very convenient being 100% online.

It is a newer school, so there will always be difference of opinion, and I find that it keeps getting better and better. I do not like the price increase in tuition, but it is still better priced than most.

Have you considered Walden?

Lastly, I liked the program class requirement for the DBA at U of P more than most, and their residency was not near as long as most.

There are so many options, and you will find the right fix. You might wanna just take one class at NCU, and see what you think. If it's not for you, then there are other programs to choose from.

I am sure the forum will give you a couple of other suggestions too.

rnattorney

 

I have considered a South Africa school but their websites seem difficult to navigate and it is difficult to get info from them.

I prefer a US school.

 

I picked NCU

I know that with your job as an engineer, your schedule can get really hectic really fast! Same goes for my job! I picked NCU because I want the degree but I want to be able to plan to be available for my family and loved ones when I do get "a little spare time." I don't want to be running to some campus a few thousand miles away!

Anyway, I have heard the negative comments about NCU and I realize that everyone has an opinion. In order to develop my "own opinion" I have to try things out for myself to determine if there is content validity behind those opinions! So, Randy my friend, whatever you decide make it a decision that works for you and develop your own opinion because you have to live with the decision, noone else does unless they are paying your way.

Enjoy your search!!

Mike
AA Burlington College, NJ
BA TESC, NJ
MS SMSU, MO
PhD. NCU (FEB 04)

 

NCU is associated (thru articulation agreements) with several traditional schools including the top rated, non-PhD engineering school, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

 

Hi Randell1234, I am writing from Puerto Rico, sorry about my English.

I also have an unaccredited degree like you. I am happy with a PWU PhD, because I earned, and the university operates under the USA Laws. In addition, I can use legally this Degree in Puerto Rico.

If you want to earn the title of Dr., in a State Approved/Register/Licensed, go for it. Remember, under the USA Laws, is legal to study in a State Approved/Register/Licensed University, the accreditation is voluntary. However, remember the advice of the experts, study in a State Approved/Register/Licensed University only if will meet your current and future needs.

Also, do not worry about the Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois things. If some one says to you, that you have to discontinue the use of your earned and legal degrees, go to court, sued that person. That person have to explain to a judge, why is bad, illegal to use a degree earned. In addition, that person have to explain to a judge, why is obligatory the accreditation to a post secondary institution, if the Government of USA says is a Voluntary Process.


How is my English?

PhD Pacific Western University
MA Caribbean University
BA American University

 

My two cents. Don't worry too much about the name of the school, none of the schools you mention are top tier so very few people would be able to tell the difference. Pick the school that has the program that best suits your needs and discard any non-RA accredited program.

If you are looking for a teaching career in the long-term, start by teaching as andjunct at an accredited university and you will see that it is more about connections than having a "better" degree.

 

Police, you have given some pretty lousy advise here in your post. Also, as I recall you began you doctoral search less than a year ago and now you have a PhD? Obviously you have not "earned" what you think you earned. You have purchased a title.

Regarding choice about PhD. I agree with the advise of picking any RA program that will meet you need.

 

Pretty sad for a PhD from a US university. It reflects the quality of education earned at PWU.

 

Although I appreciate your advice and I understand your points, the "If some one says to you, that you have to discontinue the use of your earned and legal degrees, go to court, sued that person." statement is just too much for me.

If I need to have this mentality to hold a PWU PhD, I would rather keep my RA MS degree and my dignity.

 

In that case, I would forget about unaccredited programs, since they're likely not going to help you much in securing a teaching job.

Other than that, it's up to you as to what program fits your needs best. I will say, however, that $4K per year for a RA doctoral program is very, very inexpensive.

 

WORRY

Quoted Very well here If I need to have this mentality to hold a PWU PhD, I would rather keep my RA MS degree and my dignity.


Now, I do not understand where Police is coming from. Obviously, he is trying to defend a non-defensive degree. My advice, for what its worth, is go with your gut and what works for you. I once again, with bios, prefer UNISA for many reasons. Also WORRY about recognition as quoted “Also, do not worry about the Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois things” they stand for higher educational standards than most other states. For what its worth.

 

Couple of comments regarding the DSL program at Regent University. I am considering the PhD in Org Leadeship.

I compared the PhD program and the DSL, and IMO, the DSL looks to have the more interesting coursework, but the degree title: DSL - seems to weird to me. I can see myself having to explain what this all the time. The PhD is far more universal in terms academic and professional awareness.

In response to you point about not having a dissertation for the DSL, you are correct, however it is my understanding the required final project does require a significant effort.

In terms of making a choice about what institution? I am partial to non-profit RA schools that have physical locations. (Nova and Regent and; in a round about way TUI)