University of Newcastle DBA

After agonizing for weeks about whether or not to return to my studies I have just accepted the offer from the University of Newcastle to enroll in their DBA program. I figured since it is a program with a flexible schedule I would at least take one course to try it out. I have enrolled in the first course, E-Business for Managers which cost about $1250 for everything (similar to Touro as it is all-enclusive).

The schedule runs in 3 trimesters which are of varying lengths. This trimester is 2 months long so it was perfect for the trial class.

I'll keep people posted with my impressions of the program....

 

Thanks for the info. I've been looking for a PhD or DBA program but haven't come accross this one yet (looks interesting and I've heard positive things about the University of Newcastle).

The web page didn't provide a lot of detail on the program itself or the delivery format (or maybe it does provide it, but I wasn't looking close enough).

Two questions:

1. How many courses in total are you required to take. How long must the dissertation be (how many words)? (I'm assuming that a dissertation is required).

2. How do they grade you for each course? Is it based 100% on submitted assignment, or are you required to write a proctored exam (or a combination of the two)?

Thanks for your help!

 

Go to...

If you have an acceptable MBA it is 8 courses. 4 business topic courses, 2 research methods courses and 2 prepratory courses for your dissertation.

Go to www.gradschool.com.au and they will have a lot of information about the program. Then go to the University of Newcastle Business school site and they will have more information on the dissertation length format etc. You kind of have to switch back and forth to get information on how the program works. I don't know any more than what can be gleaned from those two web sites until I actually start the first class. It is my intention to keep people updated as I have received a couple of emails from people interested in the program. PM Bing as he has an address of a guy who is in the program.

Also, this is the University of Newcastle in Australia not the one in the UK.

 

DTechBA, have you already figured out how long the DBA program will take you and how much it will cost you?

Judging by the number of courses, it seems that they could be completed in 14-15 months by distance(assuming you take 2 courses pro trimester).

Dennis

 

I haven't gone into too much detail....

I don't know a lot yet about prerequisite requirments for how you can take the classes. For example, the last 2 classes you take are the literature rview and research proposal. I do not know if you can take them at the same time.

Their web site indicates that you can finish the DBA in 3 years full time and 6 years part time if you do not already have an MBA. Cost is a little less than $10,000 USD for the coursework. From there it depends on how fast you do the dissertation. If you can finish in a year (I am hoping so since I have done a lot of work already with my previous studies) it would cost about another $3750 USD. It appears it can be done for a lot less than $20,000 USD even if you take your sweet time on the dissertation.....

 

Re: I haven't gone into too much detail....

If you have an MBA you can transfer the MBA into stage 1. This leaves 14 courses(which include dissertation). I come up with 20K for the total...14*$1250=$20K. Do you think this calculation is right?

Bing

 

Depends on dissertation

There are 8 courses during the coursework portion. If you finish your dissertation in a year you would not use up all of the dissertation periods offered.

 

Re: Depends on dissertation

OK. Now I follow. Those dissertation I-II-III classes are not classes you have to take if you complete your dissertation.

Bing

 

Unfortunately, I am now confused -
could you maybe sum up everything (courses and respective fees) again?
Thanks,
m.

 

Uni Newcastle DBA

Congratulations on your decision! I enrolled in the DBA program in April 2004 and am about to enter the dissertation phase. By taking 1-2 courses per term I've managed to juggle courses, work, etc. I think you are wise to begin with 1 course and see how it goes...you can always take more.

In the spirit of full disclosure, my organization - American Learning Solutions (www.managementcamp.com) - also represents Newcastle programs in N. America. What this means is we help students with the application process, academic support, and technical support. Students pay exactly the same price, but get a "local" support resource if you are in N. America.

As you approach the Sept. 5 start of classes, call us (800.566.8774) as I'd like to introduce you to some of the other Newcastle DBA students who have enrolled via American Learning Solutions.

Congratulations!

Jeff Benson

 

Any news on Newcastle and AACSB? It seems the trend in Australia now and I wondered if anyone had heard of them trying for it.

 

Clarification

Apparently, you have to take 6 dissertation classes while writing your dissertation. These added to the coursework classes puts the cost of the program right at $20k USD (all enclusive). Still very reasonable I think.....

 

Best of Luck mate!

Good luck on your endeavor. Keep us posted on your thoughts and progress.

 

As far as I know, they are not even members at this point. However, there are few australian schools seeking accreditation like USQ and Charles Sturt. I would think that they would be seeking it very soon.

If you want to play safe, it would be a good idea to take a look at USQ and CSU as they are seeking the accreditation at this time. It might take some time to achieve the accreditation but I think that it is a safe bet to say that they will get the accreditation eventually.

 

Verification

Can anyone verify that USQ is seeking AACSB accreditation? I emailed CSU and they indicated there had been discussion but they were not seeking accreditation at this point.

I have just received an acceptance to USQ's DBA and while at this point I still lean towards Newcastle that could change if AACSB is a real possibility for USQ.

On that note USQ is about $5k more expensive but with fewer courses required.

 

Re: Verification

I know it takes a while to get it. Cal State-Dominguez Hills is in the final year of candidacy for AACSB right now. They are having some sort of audit later this year from AACSB with a final audit to come next year.

I would guess that USQ has not formed an AACSB committe at this point.

 

Re: Verification

Yes, they are already members and the DBA director confirmed accreditation application by 2006.

As for CSU, they are also members of AACSB so that shows that might be thinking about applying as well but perhaps not in the near future.

Membership is the first step towards accreditation.

However, it might take a while before they get accreditation.

 

Problem

I received the packet for my first class from Newcastle and was very pleased with its structure.

However, I am experience huge difficulties communicating with their International office. I have sent my Stafford app 3 times and each time it is met with silence. The only way I get a response from them is if I route it via graduateschool.com. They then claim they haven't heard from me. I have even sent it to the person which iefc.com recommended as the POC for the Stafford Apps.

This is simply unacceptable and unless fixed in the next week or so will cause me to drop my enrollment. I am becoming soured on the whole business of dealing with schools on the other side of the world. Maybe I'll wait until one comes avaiable at Athabasca.

 

Newcastle

Oh oh... I was accepted to the DBA but decided to hold off on enrollment and watch what others were experiencing. Although kind of pricey, I am looking at an Ed.D. in Britain that has three weeks of summer school as their primary way of delivering instruction. I can get away for three weeks in the summer!

 

Re: Problem

Wow! Maybe I am glad I delayed taking that first class with them until January. Sounds like this is not an acceptable situation.

So far, I am having a challenging research class at Northcentral. My mentor is excellent and I have to say that NCU's staff have been extremely responsive to all my queries...and even some suggestions. I have been very pleased with my NCU experience and hope it continues.

I had planned on taking a Newcastle class in January. I will monitor to see how things go. Although, others at Newcastle seem to have not mentioned any drawbacks. Maybe it pays to go with Jeff Benson's company.

My Newcastle questions have been answered promptly by the staff there. At this point, I don't have any negative feedback that reflect my interaction with them.