California Coast University

I am looking for a DL doctorate. I hold an BS and MS in Information Systems from RA institutions. I am not interested in teaching at a university, but I would like to continue a structured, legitimate education that I can afford without having to do any residence. Since I work professionally in private enterprise, the program does not need to be RA (at least as far as I am concerned). To that end, does anyone know if California Coast University is legit or degree mill? I realize it is not RA and I understand the implications of California State Approval. However, is it legit? Your input/comments are appreciated.

 

I believe that Cal Coast may not be the best choice for you. If cost is one of the factors that will affect your decision, I strongly believe that you could find a foreign DE school for a comparable cost. An unaccredited Ph.D will dimple your hard earned RA B.S and M.S.


Ike

 

Michael,

CCU is a legitimate school operating legally in CA, but as you note is not RA. CCU degrees have worked well for some people in certain limited situations---especially in CA. In Oregon, however, it is illegal to use a CCU degree. So, theoretically, if you were standing two feet from the CA/OR state line, you would be legal in CA. But take several steps into OR and you would be using an illegal degree.

I too would suggest a non-US GAAP doctorate if cost is your concern. Some of these are comparable in price to CCU.

Russell

 

I don't know that Cal Coast is necessarily a bad choice for you if:

1. You live in California
2. You solemnly swear that your career goals will never change
3. You know that you never want to teach anywhere at anytime.
4. You're satisfied with knowing that there will be people who will make you defend your degree.


That being said, I personally would never get a degree that is not RA (for many reasons).


Tom Nixon

 

I will tell you one thing. Your Ph.D. (coursework) exams are mainly an open book (multiple choice) type of tests!! Is this how you really want to earn your Ph.D. or DBA?

Oh, one more thing, a friend of mine completed his DBA in 9 months flat!!

In most RA distance learning schools it takes a min. of 24 to 36 months to earn a Ph.D. or DBA. I know because I am doing my Ph.D. at one of the RA schools. Yes, the cost is much higher but worth every penny.

Eli

 

This is a self-defeating argument. The irrelevance of a graduate business degree to success in business does not support the notion of taking a non-RA MBA or DBA.

While nine months is a very short time, one purpose for doing a non-RA program is to avoid arbitrary limitations. When I was a Union learner, I met several people who were just biding their time until they met the minimum two-year time-in-program limit. They'd come into the program with a great deal of knowledge (and, in some cases, with what would become their doctoral projects well on the way towards completion--but that was always "unofficial").

My problem with CCU's DBA is the absence of a dissertation (or comparable project). A doctorate based solely upon coursework is not a doctorate. It does not do the one thing all academic doctoral degrees must do: make a significant, original contribution to the field of study. This is true whether the degree is a DBA, PhD, or EdD. It is not true in the case of professional doctoral programs like the MD, OD, DO, JD, etc.

The difference between the Ph.D. and the Ed.D. or D.B.A.--in the U.S. anyway--is more on the nature of the final doctoral project. In the case of the Ed.D. and D.B.A., practical projects (supported by original research, of course) may sometimes take the place of the traditional dissertation. But in many cases it is hard to tell the difference between these degree programs and the Ph.D., or between the types of dissertations produced by each.

In other countries, we're beginning to see a definite difference. In Australia, for example, the Ph.D. is a research degree. There has been an emergence of "taught" (course-based) Ed.D. and D.B.A. programs, however, combining courses with a smaller dissertation. But the dissertation still takes place!

CCU may be an effective alternative for some experienced professionals to earn a degree quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently. But their D.B.A. isn't a doctoral program, no matter how you slice it.

 

How many multiple choice questions are on each exam?

 

First, I would like to thank everyone for their comments regarding the subject matter I posted earlier. As I have done as much research as I can on the matter of DL doctorates (including the Bear's book) in a search for a legit institution, I am now open for opinions. Can anyone recommend other institutions for me to consider other than CCU?

 

But it is not an academic doctorate if it doesn't have a dissertation (or comparable project).

Also, success in business does not necessarily equate to scholarly accomplish. In reverse, scholarly accomplishment does not necessarily equate to business success. A school that would substitute business success for scholarly accomplishment in awarding a degree is a degree mill.

While I do not believe CCU falls into this category, I do believe it is wrong to award the DBA based upon coursework (or the equivalent) alone.

Rich Douglas

 

Hello, Ee. I think that you have raised some interesting questions.

I'd ask first, why go to graduate business school at all? Countless people have achieved success without earning an MBA.

If you want to acquire skills and knowledge in accounting, finance or something, then why not just take courses in those subjects and forget the degree objective?

If you are not satisfied with those suggestions and still insist on getting a degree, you need to ask yourself why. And more fundamentally, what a degree is.

I think that a degree is a certification, where your university certifies to the world that your education has met a publicly recognized standard. If your university is not recognized as maintaining that standard, then the degree is worthless.

In my opinion, the CA-approved schools might be great places to take courses in things you want to learn about, at least as long as you never anticipate needing to use the courses for transfer credit. They are a little like studying on your own in the library, except with faculty guidance. If all you want to do is develop some skills for practical application, they may or may not meet your needs.

But these schools are inherently suspect when they offer unrecognized degrees.

 

I agree with these almost fully, with one small exception. The track record of legitimate, unaccredited schools shows that their degrees have at least some utility in the workplace. Many, many graduates have put these degrees to successful use. That's not an endoresment, just an observation.

What I meant to say in my first response is similar to what Bill said, that you can always get the learning without pursuing a degree. But this elegant concept is far beyond the scope of this list serve, isn't it?

Back in the earlier editions of Bear's guide, John reported asking people he came across to select one of the following that best describes them (paraphrased below):

1. I really want the degree and I don't care if I learn anything.

2. I want the degree, but wouldn't mind learning more in my field..

3. I want to learn smore in my field, but wouldn't mind getting the degree.

4. I don't care about getting the degree, I just want to learn more in my field.

He said about 50% selected #1, 40% selected #2, 10% opting for #3. No one selected #4.

I feel your points about the validity of the credential are extremely valid. That quality learning takes place isn't sufficient; the degree must come from a credible source or it isn't a degree. We can agree or disagree about the credibility of any given source, of course, but the point remains.

Rich Douglas

 

Humm... As far as I remember you have approx. 25 Multiple Choice question per chapter (textbook). I am really guessing. Anyone can give us more precise figures?

Eli

 

Undergrad study guide was 100 questions (or 25 if they went with an accelerated study guide)

Don't know about the "GRAD SCHOOL" tests

Dan CCU almost grad

 

Umm...That was per CLASS not per chapter.

Dan

 

Hi Ee,

Answers interspersed

**** Is there anything wrong with open book exams ? I believe the coursework is only part of the requirement.

Eli>> Nothing wrong with MC questions/open book exam for undergraduate degrees (personal opinion). I believe that doctoral students need to be critical, analytical, possessing writing and oral communication skills. I fail to see how can one evaluate the above qualities through MC question type exams. MC questions is the weakness I am trying to point out really, not the open book concept, especially when the questions are straight forward.

*** Wow, your pal needed nine months to complete an non-RA degree. So, I surmised that CCU is not that * bad* unlike that of a degree mill.
Eli>> "not that bad" is not good enough for me and to many in the professional and academic world. Why go with non-RA school to find yourself defending it for the rest of your life?

Eli

 

Dan, I'm not sure if what you've described above are CCU's past requirements. Their present requirements are as follows:

Study Guides: Open Book - 200 Questions:
"Detailed study guides have been developed to encompass the many learning objectives associated with a particular course. Depending upon the subject matter, study guides may utilize different approaches to evaluating learning, including objective and essay style questions, or case study problems. Study Guides are based on specific college level textbooks which may be obtained from local bookstores, the publisher, or California Coast University ’s library." (excerpt from CCU's latest catalogue)

Accelerated Learning Guides: Open Book – 100 Questions:
"Applicants often have varying amounts of occupational expertise and educational backgrounds. For students with some level of experience in the subject matter of the course, Accelerated Learning Guides provide refresher courses that have been developed to focus on specific areas of knowledge. During the evaluation and analysis of a students application materials, Accelerated Learning Guides may be assigned in lieu of Study Guides. Each Accelerated Learning Guide is based on a specific college level textbook which may be obtained from local bookstores, the publisher, or California Coast University ’s library." (from CCU's latest catalogue)

"GRAD SCHOOL" Tests - same as above.