NCU Update

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by EKflag, May 26, 2004.

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  1. EKflag

    EKflag New Member

    I'm on my 8th course towards a PhD in Business at Northcentral University; I thought I'd give everyone an update.

    A few items of note:
    1) It was disappointing that NCU raised the tuition.
    2) The work has been more difficult than I anticipated.
    3) I’ve learned a tremendous amount so far - and I thought I was an "expert" already.
    4) The mentors have been good to excellent.
    5) The faculty has been very accommodating - sending me syllabuses? for review before I sign up for a class and so forth.
    6) I've had to write many LONG papers - so my writing skill has improved dramatically. If nothing else, this has been a great benefit, although a bit of a pain sometimes. Even people at work have commented on my improved writing.*
    7) For 75% of the courses I've taken so far, it's about 3 - 5x harder than any undergrad work I completed. 7 - 10x harder than any CLEP, Dantes or Excelsior exams.
    9) My wife is really jealous that I'm going for a PhD.
    10) To wrap it up, I'm very happy with my choice so far.

    *I'm sure there are plenty of grammatical errors in this post!

    Cheers - good luck to everyone who's going for their Undergrad, Masters or PhD!

    -EK
     
  2. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    NCU Experience

    I am glad you shared some of your experiences regarding the program at NCU (NorthCentral University in Arizona, right?).
    I am considering their Ph.D program in Psychology. I like the fact that it's 100% online and won't have to worry about taking time off from work.

    Good Luck to you.
     
  3. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Something I found interesting with the NCU model: Student/Teacher interface during the dissertation process is via on-line video so students need a camera and the correct software.
     
  4. aceman

    aceman New Member

    I am also having a good experience at NCU so far. I am enrolled in the PhD Psych program. Great luck!!


    peACE


    ACE
     
  5. DBA with an MBA

    DBA with an MBA New Member

    I been enrolled in the PhD business admin program at NCU for about a year and a half now. Early in the program I failed a class due to time mismanagement. Just recently, I signed up to retake the class and noted that there has been a syllabus change requiring additional assignments and papers.

    I also start a statistics class next week that requires weekly interaction with the instructor or fellow students, along with a large amount of chapter problem assignments (assignment #1 has 45 problems across 6 chapters) and 4 case studies. This class is definitely more rigorous than those I took for my MBA.

    The computer video aspect of the program isn't limited to the disertation. I've been able to talk "face-to-face" with a few of the instructors. The fun part about the video conferencing is that if you have a slow internet connection, you look like Max Headroom to the other person because of the slow video framerate. :D
     
  6. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    I am pleased to this point. I'm keeping my opinion open until I finish my concentration.

    Good luck to everyone.
     
  7. vical

    vical New Member

    I notice that the workload for my new course has increased compared to the older syllabus. NCU is getting better but I still believe as in any school you get what you put into the program. I have no regrets.
     
  8. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    NCU...Here I Come!

    I am almost convince that I am going to NCU or at least I know I will be withdrawing from Capella.

    The only thing, I did not like so far about NCU is it takes so long for them to answer my emails and they have not returned my call (3rd day). Unlike Capella, they will call you, email you and call you...I guess NCU is not trying to sell anything.

    For half the price, I guess something has to give.


    JB
     
  9. aceman

    aceman New Member

    Jeep,

    That is odd and sad - I usually have GREAT luck with NCU getting back ahold of me. Keep us informed on your status- no matter what happens - great luck!!

    peACE,


    ACE
     
  10. EKflag

    EKflag New Member

    Man, statistics sounds brutal. That stinks - I have to take it soon.
     
  11. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    NCU...

    Hi Ace,

    It's summer and most people are taking their summer vacation...That maybe the reason why.

    How long does it normally take you to finish a course? I was confused to how many credits each class has. Some indicated 2 and others did not have any numbers beside them. I need 51 credits and hopefully, I can finish it in 3 years.

    Take care,
    JB
     
  12. aceman

    aceman New Member

    Hey JB,

    NCU went to the 3 credit course system a little while ago. The dissertation courses are 2 credits each (PhD level ones). Each class is alloted 16 weeks to complete. They give you an example on how to complete each in the time allowed. However, if you take less and work at it more - you can complete a course in 6-8 weeks (given 1 course spending LOTS of time on that single course).

    As far as summer is concerned. They work 12 months :). The time should not matter. You should contact Lee Everest - 888-327-2877 Ext: 8042 - she is in charge of Learner Affairs and is GREAT to work with. Her email is mailto:[email protected]. Best of LUCK!!!!



    peACE,



    ACE
     
  13. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    Thanks ACE

    Hi Ace,

    Thanks for the point of contact. I emailed the enrollment personnel / admission section again and asked if she received my previous messages / emails.

    I am currently out of town so when I get back and she has not returned my called or emailed me, I will definitely call Lee.

    Sorry if I asked you this before: how many classes are you taking at a time? I've written some of the ambassadors on the psychology programs at NCU and most of them have positive feedbacks.

    Take care,
    JB
     
  14. aceman

    aceman New Member

    JB,


    No problem :). I usually take 2 courses at a time. However, I tend to stagger them out. For example, at NCU we have 1st of the month start dates. I start one course and if it is managable I will start another the start of the next month. I wait due to the fact that some classes may appear "easier" than reality and I need to put my full efforts into my courses.


    Well best of luck!!! Keep me/us informed.


    peACE,

    ACE
     

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