TUI/NCU dissertation question

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by thinktank, May 16, 2005.

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  1. thinktank

    thinktank Member

    I am attempting to decide between NCU and TUI. It looks like the NCU dissertation is integrated into their program, while TUI has a student continue to pay until they complete without much help. Has anyone completed a dissertation from TUI or NCU? How was the process? Did TUI leave you hanging at the end? IT appears NCU has a better process, but no federally approved loan programs. I need to register this week for TUI.
     
  2. rryan

    rryan New Member

    TUI...

    I'm just starting my dissertation process now with TUI. As of yet that have not left me hanging so to speak.

    They provide specific, direct instruction on the process, plust some very guided classwork- now and when I actually start writing.

    The class I'm in now is centered around writing a dissertation proposal prospectus. The next class is writing the proposal. Then the following class is doing the dissertation.

    I don't have any experience yet with the actual dissertation, but have gotten much needed support.

    Reggie
     
  3. tesch

    tesch New Member

    Although TUI and NCU may not or may not charge separately each term for doctoral dissertation progression, the overall process for either program is integrated, largely the same and consistent with many universities. Accordingly, I would argue contrary to the notion that TUI’s program may leave students without “much help” or hanging, or that NCU has a better process.

    At TUI, students complete all doctoral level coursework including research methods, statistics…etc. Students develop a dissertation prospectus, which must be accepted following a final proposal seminar course in the doctoral coursework track. Each student must also pass a comprehensive examination.

    A student selects a dissertation committee and progresses to develop a dissertation proposal that includes the introduction/foundation, literature review and methods sections (chapters). The dissertation chair and committee work with and guide the student through the development of each section. Once the chair and committee determine that the proposal is of sufficient quality and completeness the student will prepare to orally defend the proposal in person or by teleconference. The committee will most often recommend the proposal be presented for final institutional approval or recommend that the student make additional changes. In a worst-case situation, the proposal may be completely rejected. Once the committee approves the proposal, it must be submitted for institutional review and final approval by the College Dean and Provost.

    Following institutional approval, the student is admitted to candidacy and progresses to execute the proposed research. The student collects, analyzes and reports the data and then reduces the findings into the analysis/results section of the dissertation. The dissertation chair and committee review the material and provide advice as needed throughout this process.

    Once data is collected and the results section completed, the candidate will progress to interpret, discuss and draw inferences/conclusions surrounding the result and present the same in the discussion/conclusion section. Again, the chair and committee will review the material presented by the student and provide advice as needed.

    Based on guidance from the chair and feedback from committee members, the student will produce, likely through several iterations, a dissertation that the chair recommends for final defense. The committee will convene formally and the candidate will orally defend his or her dissertation before the committee and possibly other observing faculty.

    If defended successfully before the committee, the Coordinator of the PhD program is notified by the chair and a final copy of the dissertation submitted for institutional review. Once the institutional review is completed and dissertation approved, the Dean of the College will notify the student and chair of the final approval.

    The student must then prepare all forms and other documents to submit the final dissertation copy to UMI for the dissertation publication and TUI archives. The process includes the formal signing of the title of the dissertation by the committee and other formalities. This dissertation chair will also assist with this process.

    Clearly, TUI doctoral students are not left “without much help” or hanging during the dissertation process. A dedicated chair and committee are activity involved and continuously available for support throughout each step. Students do pay $1,500 for each consecutive term while they complete their dissertation. However, I believe the purpose of the fee is primarily to compensate the chair and ensure that each student DOES receive a high level of committed support and assistance throughout his or her entire dissertation process.

    Personally, I think that the $1,500 tuition fee during the dissertation process also has a side benefit of acting as motivator for students and preventing them from procrastinating. My son is now entering his dissertation phase. He is quite frugal, so I’m confident that the thought of letting his dissertation linger on unnecessarily and with a continued financial cost will keep him quite focused.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 16, 2005
  4. Eli

    Eli New Member

    I completed TUI's Ph.D. in Business Admin. and will confirm the following:

    - The dissertation committee will work with you on daily basis. They have been so helpful to me during this rigorous process that made the trip pleasurable.

    - TUI's dissertation is a true research and quite rigorous.

    - Left me hanging? Absolutely not! They were fantastic and guided me until the last minute of my oral defense.

    TUI's dissertation process is serious and rigorous. I strongly recommend the program. It had tremendous effect on my professional life.

    Eli



     
  5. thinktank

    thinktank Member

    Thank yous

    Thanks for the direct feedback. As always, the board has great information that assists with choices.
     

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