NCU question about lack of semesters

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by thinktank, Jul 5, 2005.

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  1. thinktank

    thinktank Member

    Has anyone on the board at NCU been able to take advantage of the lack of semesters? In other words, has anyone finished a course prior to the deadline so they can move onto another course?
     
  2. c.novick

    c.novick New Member

    I have been able to take advantage of the open semesters and accelerate through. The semesters are 16 weeks and the course work is designed to carry through for that time period. A student can finish their coursework sooner if motivated.

    I was able to power through many of the courses in 5-6 weeks. But It required a great deal of reading and writing. There was no time for a break and one has to be disciplined to do assignments just about every day. It was a challenge and a lot of fun.

    Now, I go slow and take my time. I'm in no hurry, but the open semesters provide the option to take it either way.
     
  3. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    NCU format

    Aparently, the course delivery format was so crucial to the school's strategy in the market for students, that they dropped out of a program that provided the option for students to qualify for federal financial aid. I think NCU's format is excellent and reflects the reality of adult education.
     
  4. thinktank

    thinktank Member

    good answers

    Thank you for your answers. So, It is difficult to accomplish, but can be done.
     
  5. Chsheaf

    Chsheaf New Member

    I agree with Craig that the NCU learner can have it either way. I am in my sixth course at NCU. I just completed a finance management course in five weeks. It was a great deal of work but I was able to move onto the next course the following month. It is a true benefit to accelerate a course which one might be familiar with and take the entire 16 weeks on an unfamiliar subject. Fexibility is important to me. It truely goes back to the foundation of DL, you don't have to be controlled in the classroom be the slowest learner. IMHO.
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Re: NCU format

    Indeed. But yet I think it would be a major marketing mistake to drop out of the federal financial aid progams just to preserve the flexible delivery format. How can NCU have the best of both worlds? Set up official semesters or quarters in order to satisfy the gurus at the financial aid programs. Have either four start dates per semester or three start dates per quarter (i.e., a new start date each month) and, should you finish your class early, add a new class at the top of next month.
     
  7. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    These comments from current learners are very helpful. I've attached a zip with an excel file showing how I approach the process. I am accustomed to semester classes in the B & M world, so it's hard to tell how fast the NCU PhD program can be completed. I've recently taken calculus I, II, III, linear algebra, stats, econometrics, etc. so I'm hoping to plow through the stuff quickly. I have considerable academic and professional finance background to boot. I have a feeling, however, that the DL courses contain a good deal of grunt writing, so they can fill the course content, rather than present shorter yet more quantitative question responses. That's fine, but it limits the ability to move quickly from my perspective. I'm a commercial real estate appraiser, so I write highly quantitative analytical reports for a living.

    Having babbled this far, how much time per week would you recommend that I allocate to two courses taking the full 16 week semester?
     

    Attached Files:

  8. thinktank

    thinktank Member

    Good discussion

    So, many of you have taken advantage of the flexability. I wonder the real reason they dropped out of the federal loans?
     
  9. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    NCU financial aid

    There is a thread on this back in March

    "North Central University Financial Aid System"

    Plus, the presidents message on NCU's site talks about his reasons for dropping the gig. I never checked to see if they were booted from the program, but I doubt it.

    On another note, I ran a D & B on NCU about 30 days ago and it was clean. Staff there tell me that enrollment is growing and that NCU is doing well. Generally, the DL industry is on a very solid growth trajectory with strong demographics (demand) over the next decade. I have no reason to believe that NCU won't get their fair share of the market. They appear to have competent management, a measured and relatively conservative growth strategy and a sound product line.

    However, I think that their web site and logo while highly functional are aesthetically hideous. If I get a NCU degree, I might have to have a commercial artist loose the logo, which would be much more appropriate to have been placed on a cereal box or a children's toy box or something. :D

    All in, I'm going with NCU if I pull the trigger in the next few weeks. I think there're a solid industry player.
     
  10. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    Dang Messagewriter, you sound like a pretty fart smeller...uh...I mean smart feller! It would take me light years to get through "calculus I, II, III, linear algebra, stats, econometrics"

    Maybe since I live in Tampa it will rub off on me somehow.

    Anyway, nothing really to add. Just thought I would make that observation.
     
  11. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    fart smelling

    It was brutal. I damn near put some kid who tutored me through FSU's freashman program.

    That was the gig for doctoral level econ work and what's more frightening is that I started a PhD econ program with bare minimum math quals. Econ these days has become a math degree, with a minor in econ. Many of the older profs (>55) are not happy to see what their field has become since computerization.
     
  12. bing

    bing New Member

    Re: NCU financial aid

    The website is pretty bad. It looks cheesy and not very professional. But, some mills have good looking sites and are worthless.


     
  13. jagmct1

    jagmct1 New Member

    NCU students should address the website concern with the university. I completely agree with the comments regarding the unprofessional looking website. Online universites should pride them elves with a highly desirable and interactive website. Technically, the website is their campus and should appeal to students. The NCU merchandise is also pretty bad.
     
  14. c.novick

    c.novick New Member

    The NCU learners area is fully functional and simple to maneuver through. It is not wonderful looking, but it is very functional and gets the job done in my opinion.
     
  15. jagmct1

    jagmct1 New Member

    Functional and maneuverability are very important aspects to have for the online class room. I'm just saying NCU's initial website impression for prospective students is lacking.

    I'm seeing more traditional univerisites having a more professional looking website then the solely online degree schools. It should be the other way around or at least at the same level of professionalism.

    Online schools need to pride themselves with top quality web design. The web is their only campus.
     
  16. Messagewriter

    Messagewriter New Member

    Logo

    The site doesn't bother me as much as the idea of getting a PhD and having that logo printed on my diploma. The site's funtionality is very good I think.

    I'm sure the inspiration behind its design was well placed. But now that perhaps the school has grown up a bit, I'd think they could design a logo that identifys a more academic brand.

    Here's an MBA diploma from their "store" offering frames and stuff. The logo appears twice and is simply horrendous. Surely they will listen at some point and do something.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    Re: Logo

    What's wrong with the way the diploma looks?

    I'm sure it would look fine on the shelf in my closet along with my MS and BS diplomas. :)
     

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