Good doctoral program? HELP

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jonwillis, Aug 22, 2005.

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  1. jonwillis

    jonwillis New Member

    Hello!

    Well, I have a BA and an MS "+32" from Marshall University, and have about 16 from Walden U. I am looking for another program than Walden (next quarter costing me $4200 for 13 hours). Format is great but cost is eating me alive... I've researched schools some and bought Bear's Guide (15th ed)...

    Anyone know about Century University? What about completeing all my coyrsework at Marshall or another University and receiving the degree from CU?

    I have found several faculty at schools from across the US (and talked with a few) regarding their experience.

    To list a few...(THIS INFO IS READILY AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IS PUBLIC)

    Karla Potetz
    Baldwin-Wallace
    B.A., M.B.A., Baldwin-Wallace College
    Ph.D., Century University (New Mexico)

    Julia Drummond
    North Greenville College
    Associate Professor English
    B.A., Winthrop University: M.A.T., Converse College; Ed.D., Century University

    Pike, Martin
    Indiana University
    D.S.E. (Century University, 1990),
    Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
    Technology

    Nancy M. Childs, Ph.D.
    Professor of Food Marketing
    Founding Director, Nutraceuticals Institute (SJU partnership with Rutgers University)
    Erivan K. Haub School of Business
    Duke University, B.A. Distinction in Economics, cum laude
    California Institute of Technology, M.S. and
    doctoral course work Century University, PhD.

    (Houston TX planning Comm)
    Mr. Martinez received a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He also earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Century University. In 1992, he was named Texas Society of Professional Engineers' Young Engineer for the State of Texas. He has published numerous technical papers related to pavement technology.

    Stanley Lapidow
    Fairleigh Dickinson U (Private )
    He received a BS degree in Biology and Chemistry from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, an MBA degree in Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, and his Ph.D. degree from Century University in Albuquerque, New Mexico with a specialty in Environmental Health Engineering. He is a registered Environmental Professional with National Industrial Hygiene Association.

    Jimmy Vu,
    Houston Community College System
    A.A.S.; Thomas Edison State College, Indiana University, B.A.; University of the State of New York, Indiana University, B.S.; University of Houston, M.S.; City University, M.B.A.; Walden University, Century University, Ph.D. - Civil Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Processes/Machine Operations Technology

    F. Randy Vogenberg, PhD
    Tufts Health Care Institute - Tufts University School of Medicine
    Director and National Practice Leader
    ASA Health System Education and Pharmaceutical Consulting
    Randy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island, a Master's degree in health care administration from Antioch University, and Doctorate in health care management from Century University. Additionally, he completed an ASHP Accredited Residency at Brigham & Womens' Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston.

    Dr. James Gibbons
    Northwood University
    B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University
    M.A., University of Texas at Arlington
    Ph.D., Century University

    Emeric Solymossy
    Western Illinoios
    The College of Business and Technology
    Emeric Solymossy received his B.S. degree in engineering from Century University, and his M.B.A. from Colorado State University. Returning to academia from successful business experience(s), he received his Ph.D. in 1998 from Case Western Reserve University.

    Dr. James Overton
    University of Mississippi
    Assistant Professor in MIS at Southaven
    BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University (June & August1969). While attending Michigan Technological University, Mr. Overton was on the Dean's list, became a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Association, the Electrical Engineering Honor Society, and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship. Mr. Overton received a Masters of Science (Major: Advanced Technology) at the State University of New York at Binghamton in New York (1971). Mr. Overton studied for two years at the Escuela Tecnica de Ingenieros Industriales in Madrid Spain (1971 – 1973). Mr. Overton has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Century University (August 2003). The title of his dissertation is “ Interpretability and Scalability of Rel-Miner: A Relational Datamining Tool”. Rel-Miner is a new datamining tool developed by James Overton, for which he has filed a patent.

    Lyndon Weberg
    University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    Lyndon Weberg came to UW-RF in 1968 as an assistant professor of mathemtics/computer systems, teaching elementary to middle-level mathematics at UW-RF. Prior to coming to the University, he worked at Control Data Corporation, Sperry-Univac, and the University of Minnesota Medical School. He holds a B.S. in mathematics from UW-RF, a M.S. in biostatistics from the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and Century University in Albuquerque, NM. In 1993, his research helped create early three-dimensional computer models of the prostate to help cancer researchers at the Mayo Clinic. He is formerly a visiting scholar in the department of statistics at the University of Arizona-Tuscon, instructor at Arizona State University, and an associate professor/assistant to the dean at Tuscon University. Over the years he also served as a reviewer for mathematics, statistics and computer science manuscripts and textbooks for West, Harper and Rowe, Addison-Wesley and W.C. Brown publishing companies. In 1993-94 he was a research specialist for Vice President Al Gore's GLOBE environmental project at the University of Arizona. He is currently a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center. His research focuses on prostate and breast cancer, funded in part from the National Institutes of Health. He lives in Tuscon.

    Dr. Mark Levine
    University of Denver
    Dr. Mark Levine is the Director of Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver. He has presented numerous papers on various topics in real estate principles, law investment, appraisal, business law, tax and international real estate investments. He has published over 56 books and 240 articles. In addition to being an educator, he is a tax attorney. He received his Bachelor's in Business and Economics at Colorado State University and his Ph.D. in Business from Century University. He also holds a law degree in Tax Law from New York University.

    I spoke with Drs. Pike and Overton about their experience and they seemed positive (Dr. Overton completed work at Ole' Miss and received degree from CU).

    I checked with the NM BBB and they had nothing bad to say - no complaints about CU.

    Bear's guide seems to not think all that much or is at least indifferent about CU...

    PLEASE, HELP ME!!!!
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Century University is not accredited.
     
  3. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

  4. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Didn't Century move to New Mexico to avoid tightening standards in California, I think it was?

    And I THINK I recall seeing that Century wouldn't be legal HERE either if it weren't grandfathered in?

    Run a search of the Board. You might find some earlier discussions that could be informative.
     
  5. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Correct.

    Correct again.

    Anyone with an academic position at a legitimately accredited school with a Century degree, I can almost guarantee that either;

    1) The Century degree was not a factor in their hiring,

    or

    2) The employing school either never checked Century, or they have no idea how accreditation works.
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Century is not recognized as a university by any recognized authority. The degrees it issues are not, for the vast majority of situations, not acceptable anywhere where (a) an accredited degree is required or (b) this requirement is assumed.

    The main utility for degrees from unaccredited schools comes from the fact that most people won't realize the unaccredited status of the issuing school. But when employers find out the school isn't accredited, their acceptance of such degrees drops significantly.

    Century operates in New Mexico, but isn't subject to that state's regulation of unaccredited schools--it was grandfathered in when the new rules were enacted. The old rules don't require Century to do anything to prove its sufficiency as a degree-granting school.

    I don't care how many examples you cite--you can't ensure those circumstances apply to you. I'm sure there are many people using their Century degrees. But what you don't hear about is the number of people who start out using their unaccredited degrees, only to lose opportunities later on because of those credentials, or find themselves in embarassing situations.

    Good luck in your decision.
     
  7. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I'm sorry if I've missed it but I don't believe you've said anything about the area in which you'd like to do your dissertation.
    Jack
     
  8. jonwillis

    jonwillis New Member

    Hello!

    Thank you providing information! The DL thing is sort of new to me... My posting of names wasn't meant as an endorsement, only placed to show that I am truly trying to find something good (and hopefully cheaper)!

    Thanks for steering me away from CU. My boss (the Dept. Chair) has asked me to seek a PhD - wants me to do more in the dept. I failed to mention that I am currently about 3 quarters deep into a PhD in Public Health, Specializing in Epidemiology through Walden. I had a bad experience at first (NOONE should have to wait over a month for a reply to an e-mail - were it in a traditional school, I'd go "stand on someone's desk"). I've just avoided taking a class from her.

    They (Marshall) tried to lure me into an EdD, but I'd have to travel about 50 miles everyday to class (which doesn't work with the job thing). SO, I started looking into DL.

    Really looking for Public Health PhD, but am open to a relevant degree (EdD, DSc, PhD, in Health Sciences, Medical Geography, Epidemiology, etc.,).

    Again, any programs you suggest I will look into...
    Also, thank you for your expertise...
     
  9. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Hi Jon - I don't know of any other PhD program in Public Health within the USA. Assuming I'm correct in that then I'd suggest you stay the course (that is, if this is the only degree you'll consider).
    Jack
     
  10. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

  11. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

  12. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    Hello Jon,

    It is good you have talked to a few graduates of CU to obtain their experience with it. If I do recall however, CU was unable to continue under the Bureau of private and Post secondary education under State of California for some reason or other, so they relocated to NM. However, they have been around quite some time as well.

    As already mentioned, the faculty who possess a unaccredited degree most likely did not obtain the position for the doctorate from CU, but probably for their masters degree in most cases.

    I see nothing wrong though with a low cost doctorate, depending on the circumstances. Take my situation form example. I have no intentions of ever stepping foot in academia or teaching unless I am asked to speak or teach for a class in my field of work.
    Actually, even before I finished my MBA iwth a NA school, I was already approached by a RA university to seek my interest in teaching. Flattering fealing it was, but not for me at this time.

    Most people who seek a legitimate state approved school for a doctorate do so for mostly personal agendas or goals. Mine would be a personal goal.

    One quote I like to always remind myself of is:

    " It is not the degree that makes the man, but the man who makes the degree." I hope I came up with that or I am plagerizing.

    Good luck in your search

    JN
     
  13. agilham

    agilham New Member

  14. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    (from the School website linked above)
    "Applicants wishing to undertake a PhD by this route (DL) must hold an internal Masters degree of the School and be embedded in an organisation or research project which is actively supervised by School staff."

    It would be interesting to know if they would consider a University of London Masters in Public Health or Epidemiology as sufficient qualification under these rules.
    Jack
     
  15. agilham

    agilham New Member

    I don't see why not.

    More to the point, if the OP is at an institution or organization that already has a relationship with LSHTM, would that qualify (albeit tenuously) on the latter criterion? It probably wouldn't hurt to ask.

    Angela
     
  16. jonwillis

    jonwillis New Member

    Hello!

    Thank you, again for helping me!

    Has anyone here had any experiences with the Aussie or UK universities? What about acceptance in US? In checking in to them, some seem to fit nicely - cost is high. Financial aid? (Yeah, right...)

    Thank you all, again.
     
  17. agilham

    agilham New Member

    Well, some of us are at them or used to work for them, but from the point of view from your side of the pond, have a search for the experiences of people like Cory Siebel. There is (or was) somebody with an MSc from LSHTM kicking around.

    Generally, nobody on your side of the pond knows anything about the UK and Oz unis apart from the obvious suspects like Oxford or Sydney (insert my usual rant about the conference programme that changed the name of Wales to whales here). There again, how many of the 4,000 or so degree granting institutions in the US can you name offhand?

    All the UK universities that I know of are registered for Stafford loans. Ditto most of the Oz ones. Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0506/fslookup.htm select the school year and "search" and select "foreign country" as your state to see the full list of overseas institutions approved for financial aid.

    Angela
     
  18. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Friend,

    My apologies for being so direct... My advice is to borrow the money to continue at Walden U, and get on with the Ph.D. A regionally accredited doctoral program in any discipline is expensive, and if you need the Ph.D. for college teaching, then just do it and don't spend your time evaluating unaccredited schools.

    Best wishes,

    Dave
     

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