A friend of mine is looking for a low/no-residency PhD program in Computer Science or operations research. Do you have any suggestions? (I know about Nova.)
NCU is a real joke as for its PhD in Computer Science; nobody is going to take seriously a PhD with an introductory “C” language course as a part of the program. The program is very weak and I don’t feel you could get to far with it. I was looking for a long time for a 100% PhD in Information Systems. The best program that I found 100% DL is the Doctor of Technology in Information Technology from Deakin University in Australia, but it was pricey. My other option was the University of South Africa, but the label “South Africa” would raise to many questions. Nova has a very good program but it is expensive, Walden has a PhD in MIS that is decent but pricey. University of Idaho has a very good PhD in Computer Science but it requires a minimum of one term of residency but it is cheaper than NOVA and Walden, but the opportunity cost is very high if you stop working for 6 months. Charles Sturt has a PhD in Information Technology that is affordable (about $8000 AUD a year for a period of about 4 years), but it is pure research with no course component and I find it would require a lot of discipline to complete a program of this sort, but this is probably the best cost effective program, USQ has a very good program in Computer Science or Information Systems but it is not distance learning, the only doctorate that is DL is the DBA in Information Systems, I know that a DBA is not as powerful as the PhD but it is what I can afford and I decided to go for it, the faculty is decent and I have a supervisor in my area of research. I hope this helps,
This would depend on how familiar one was with the South African educational system, which is modeled after the British system of higher education. Boasting 21 universities, with graduates serving globally in numerous disciplines, the SA system is an excellent option for many distance learners. I think the image of associating SA education with the congo, natives and headhunters, is held only by those who need to be educated to the contrary. Russell
Nothing against UNISA, but it is not usual that someone from Canada or the US would choose a place in South Africa. It would look too suspicious, for the other hand their PhD in Computer Science is very strong and the faculty is doing very serious research. If my intention was to stay in industry it would be my first choice, but academia is a bit prejudice against second world graduate degrees.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. This guy has been teaching C++ for years as an adjunct and is currently enrolled in a residential PhD program, but is unhappy with it. I like the Nova program (other than the cost) but I've heard him trash them, so I won't even mention it. I'm just beginning a S. African program myself; he is aware of that and seems open to that idea as well. I doubt that he has considered or is aware of the other suggestions, so I'll see how those fly. His current, residential program is very expensive, so the cost may not be an issue. Again, thanks.
I meant to mention some of the others that I thought about suggesting he do some research on. It isn't always clear from web sites which departments or faculties support DL. They are: --Edith Cowen --Monash --Univ. of Wales --The "collaborative doctorate" at NJIT --UNISA dept. of quantitative mgmt (he's very strong in mathematics.) --Univ. of Ulster --Witwatersrand
Perhaps, but I think the issue is what constitutes "second world." The higher education system in South Africa is equivalent to the UK system. True, there are many regions of what one would consider old Africa, but Australia also has these regions. I know Unisa Th.D.'s who serve in RA/ATS schools, and have never seen these people ostracized because of the SA degree. So, while I can agree that some prejudice may indeed exist, one will always encounter prejudice of some type--at least in this world. Russell
A very true statement but if 99.9% of both educated and uneducated people believe it is questionable then you are dedicating your life to educating them. ------------------ Best Regards, Dave Hayden
A very true statement but if 99.9% of both educated and uneducated people believe it is questionable then you are dedicating your life to educating them. ------------------ Best Regards, Dave Hayden
I think the percentage is slightly fabricated, Dave. Perhaps 99.3 is more accurate. A quick safari on www.Google.com in which one types in such phrases as: University of South Africa Potchefstroom University University of Cape Town Etc. will reveal that this is not the perception of the majority of the educated. Ph.D. graduates from these schools hold numerous positions within a variety of disciplines--including academe. The former president of South Africa, and a Nobel prize recipient, FW deKlerk, is chancellor of Potchefstroom (also a PU grad), and his second cousin Ben deKlerk is my doctoral advisor. Russell, Among the .1% who does not believe a SA degree is questionable, and who needs to get back to his research/writing for the Potchefstroom Ph.D. Chapter Four: Lion Taming Made Simple
It is true, but you forgot to mention that most of these people live in south africa. For the locals, UNISA it is a very good option, no doubt about it.
Keep scrolling! There are more than a few who hold positions outside of SA, including the United States. As I said, I know two faculty members personally, who teach at RA schools with a Unisa Ph.D., and one with a Potch Ph.D. Russell
Hi Russell Interesting. Are the two PHD's you know lifelong US citizens? Did you know them before you became interested in a SA degree? It would be truly interesting to know opinions of the overall US academic community. Opinions are powerful things right or wrong. <Wishes he were busy with a SA PHD and may have to revise the figure to 93.9% ------------------ Best Regards, Dave Hayden
Professor Brenda Gourley, vice chancellor of the Univeristy of Natal has accepted the post of head of the Open University in the UK. I'm adding TUI and the Open Univ. of UK to my list of possibilities for Ph.D. in CS or OR for my friend.
Dave, Of the three I have communicated with: one Unisa doctorate is from South Africa, but teaching in the US. The other two (1 Unisa, 1 Potch) are lifelong US citizens, both serving as faculty of RA institutions. I was not acquainted with any of them before my interest in the SA program. Russell
