D.B.A. Nova; Any very recent grad out there?

Hello,

I have all the schools materials on the DBA program at Nova and would do the finance route. Andy posts often to this forum and speaks highly of this program. He graduated in 1996.

Any other graduates of Nova's DBA in the last say 5 years that can give their opinion?

Does the school make an effort to get you through the program, or drag it out like many B & M not profits?

Are courses available in the quantity that facilites the student, or does one get delayed because of inavailability or having to drive to China?

Is the research paper/participation/confenferences too onerous? I work FULL time and this looks brutal.

Stuff like that.

Thanks.

 

I'm not a grad from Nova, but from what I've heard its one of those modern universities that are on the cutting edge of education technology. Unlike some of the more famous (but years behind) b & M schools, Nova will only make you take what you need to succeed through the program. So no, I don't think Nova will drag you until you start receiving your social security checks.

Hope this helps.

 

Messagewriter - I know you're looking for a recent grad's input (and I hope you hear from one). Here are some thoughts, though, from an older grad - who advises some current students.

Regards - Andy

From my experience and recent contacts, students are in the driver's seat. You register for classes each term - and you determine the pace. Classes are often on a regular basis. The program is well defined. When you've met the requirements you graduate - there are no artificial hurdles. The steps are well defined and quite doable.

Nova operates a regular rotation of classes that is very predicatable. Core classes are available every term at some location in the U.S. and periodically at the nearest location to you. Speciality classes are offered on a regular basis in Ft. Lauderdale.

I didn't find this to be onerous - and current students I've talked with feel the same. I attended the Academy of Management - and later the Association for Information Systems. These are fun trips that are very worthwhile. As for publishing - this really isn't hard to do, but Nova ensures that you go through the process. It sure helped me when I went to work full-time and needed to build my resume.

 

Beyond Andy's very reasoned advice, you could search the internet for Nova DBA's and contact them directly.

 

What's the word on Nova's AACSB status?

 

Nova's AACSB

I'll ask since I'm calling them today. They have some other program accredidation other than the typical RA, but no idea about AACSB.

It's a far more recognized program for an academic job than typical DL for sure. I'm struggling with the fairly enormous residential component. It seems that to do two courses at a time, I'd have to drive back and forth between Tampa and Orlando Florida and take up two weekends per month in class. With only a single class at one weekend per month, it becomes a $55,000 dollar five year gig. That's really brutal and may make it beyond my toleration as to time. I'm indifferent about the tuition, but poking along at three courses per year is just too slow, and taking two weekends out of each month is not doable either. Oh well, there is always the DL market.

 

Scoop from Nova vs. Northcentral

Talked to Christine Gregory yesterday about Nova's D.B.A. and was more encouraged. From their brochures, I could not determine how this program would not stretch out for 5-6 years. But, I found out that some components are online, thus I was pretty confident that it could be done in 3.5-4 "all in" including the dissertation. With travel, books, tuition, etc., I estimate a $55,000 commitment.

She indicated that they are considering a petition to become AACSB accredited, but that the applied nature of their MBA program is the main hindrance as the students prefer actual practitioners rather than Ph.D.'s.. AACSB strictly limits the number of non-Ph.D.'s that can be used, so Nova is conisering whether AACSB makes sense for them.

As to the Ph.D. program, she said Nova is considering doing a Ph.D. business program to accomodate those more into research. This idea is in the multi-year approaval process and is expected to go forward in the future. In any event, she said hat the Ph.D. will not replace the D.B.A. program, which is a big seller to those intending to use the degree for consulting and to augment their professional practices. The practitioner market is their sweet spot in terms of their strategic marketing, so the D.B.A. is expected to enduer as their top seller.

Basically, there are 18-22 days in class per year and a variety of needs to be various places, like academic conferences and on campus in Ft. Lauderdale Florida for milestone courses and events. It is really not directly comparable to DL programs, as Nova is a well established non-profit B & M institution on a 300 acre campus with a $322 million budget and a carnagie II research classification. In cost benifit to say Norchcentral, the cash difference is about $20,000 more for Nova. Plus, one would have to value the time away from family, etc. Courses may be done one weekend a month for three months, or a cram session for a full week. If one did the week and had a job like mine, their income would drop to zero if they took a week off, and that would need to be factored in as lost income.

Still pondering Nova's DBA vs. Northcentrals's Ph.D. At this juncture, the "time to complete" the degrees is about the same. Cost is very different but so is the "quality" as measured by reputation and demonstrated placement, so you're getting something for paying more. If academic placement in a small, regional college of 1,500-3,000 students is the goal, Nova is the right choice for sure. If just punching a card and doing adjuct communit college work is the key, a doctoral degree is not necessary in the first place, so it hardly matters where it's from I guess. But to compare the utility of NCU to Nova for academic placement at a regional 4 year college, I think there is no comparision, as Nova is clearly superior.

I have to be sure why I want the degree. I think this will drive me to drink.

John

PS>does this software have a spell checker?

 

Regarding B&M, the same can be said of UoP since they started as a for-profit B&M and still have multiple B&M campuses all over the country. However, UoP is still regarded as a Virtual university, and outside of FL, Nova (being one of the pioneers of non-traditional education) is also seen as a virtual institutio as well, which is one reason IMO that is so often ranked so poorly by USNews.

I personally think that you get more of programs that require some residency, so I would go with Nova. Plus, Nova has been around for much longer. NSU is RA but still in its infancy. But if you are serious about breaking ground into a research I university, you will meet some bias with a Nova degree (especially now with the PhD glut these days). NCU is still unknown and because of its more traditional name, might go under the radar for some time.


BTW have you looked into Lynn University here in FL? They do offer an online DBA, its also expensive but it might be worth considering.

Honestly, I would wait until you're ready to enter a BM program or a school that does not have this online "stain" attached to it.
Nova is overpriced and you would get a much better price attending a traditional program. In the meantime, work on publications. If teaching college is your goal, then teaching experience will be the main factor they will look for. A doctorate from any institution will suffice as long as it is RA (and if they really require it).

-S

 

Nova

Thanks for the comments. I was in a B & M for a year at FSU here in Florida, but had to get back to work due to some medical issues. At 43, I can't imagin gong back so I'm looking at my only alternatives. I know nothing about DL, but had heard of Nova over the years. I'll check out the school that you mentioned. I must say I've always hated the Nova name. Sounds like they sell toasers or something; like Ronco or Acme. Still kicking the tires between Nova and NCU.