Nova Southeastern Ed.D Organizational Leadership

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone was familiar with Nova Southeastern's Ed.D in Organizational Leadership (distance learning format)? Any good or bad comments, opinions, thoughts?

Thanks,

Anthony

 

Ed.D.

Programs like this are extremely expensive. I teach at a community college and for the life of me cannot figure out why anybody would spend that kind of money on a doctorate for such little payback. I moved up my faculty salary scale with two online graduate degrees and topped off $1800 a year below somebody with a doctorate. I've been asked several times why I don't go on for a doctorate and I can't justify it for that cost... $1800 more a year for a three to five years or more time working on a doctorate at $40k+ in cost? I suppose if you are in your 20's or 30's and have your heart set on an administrative position... perhaps it is worth it. Now, I get all the "learning for learnings sake" stuff but that usually amounts to "I want to be called 'doctor' " For $40k, I will buy a Doctor of Divinity certificate. haha

 

It certainly is expensive.

I am thinking about doing a Nova Computer Science PHd next Fall. My wife is expecting so now is not the time to start for me.

I get an educational reimbursement from my employer and that is why it's even an option for me.

I hope to get several thousand more dollars a year in pay once I'm done. I don't think I'll be a better technical worker after completing the degree. In fact I will fall out of the mainstream of technology while pursuing this. But the value is in being called Dr.

That's why it's an option for me. Do I care about being called R...no. I care about taking care of my family...that is all.

I won't get the same opportunities without the Dr. Some stellar people do get them. Some don't. Figure out where you stand and do what is best for you.

 

That sums it up very well - Roosevelt Univeristy conducted searches over three years and found ONE faculty members with a post-master's IT degree and hand's-on credibility with the students - me.

 

AnthonyD:

I am in this exact program and the online format works really well for me. When I started (Fall 2003), we were required to attend an information session on the main campus in FL. Now the requirements have changed and I think you have to attend twice throughout the program. They have changed the format of the program as well and I think this is to serve students better for their dissertation.

They use WebCT, which works great, and I have been impressed with the faculty. All of them are seasoned professionals. I chose online because it works well with my schedule and I promised my wife I would not take any more classroom time away from our 19 month old. I can work on class work after he has gone to bed and at times that is convenient for the entire family.

The cost is high but it is average to every other online/partially online doctorate that is being offered. Unless you attend an in-state school or UNL. However, you have to weigh the "opportunity cost" as well with everything that you do.

Regarding Cogent's comment, I agree if you are faculty at a CC. However, in order to attain higher-level administrative positions, it is important to take this step. Deans, VP's and Presidents at CC's can command salaries of 60K, 75K to over 110K depending on location and time in job. To me, it is worth my money because I too work for a CC and this is my goal.

Hope this helps!!

Duff

 

Duff said in part "Deans, VP's and Presidents at CC's can command salaries of 60K, 75K to over 110K depending on location and time in job. To me, it is worth my money because I too work for a CC and this is my goal."

Absolutely, if that is your goal. Many people here post questions and make decisions without fully understanding how things work.

As a faculty, last year I made about $85k at my community college (including a few summer courses I teach online). This year will be better. For me, the salary of an administrator (much longer hours, less teaching, far shorter vacations) makes administration not very attractive. But that is me.

You know what is also interesting? I was at a conference last summer and ran into a couple from a college I have a MBA from... they asked me about my community college salary and I was pleased to share that information. They were STUNNED as I make something like $30k more than each of them and they teach at a university. So do not discount a career in the community colleges!

 

I have a professional associate in Houston who just completed the program. She was extatic about the program. She had a great experience. Yes it was expensive, but for her it was worthwhile. She has been able to use it for finacial gain in the private sector.