Northcentral University Doctorate

My sister has enrolled in the doctoral programme at NCU. She is somewhat concerned whether a non-traditional PhD will be received favourably out in the non-academic world.

What has been the experience of those on this board who have earned a doctorate degree from Northcentral University?

 

I recommend emailing some [or all] of the NCU PhD holder "ambassadors" that NCU lists on their web site. I emailed several NCU PhD holders prior to enrolling and the responses were very informative. So far I do not regret enrolling at NCU. I can’t speak about the acceptance of an NCU PhD [at least not yet], but hopefully someday I will be able to.

Here is the link for the NCU ambassador page.

http://www.ncu.edu/ambassadors/

 

I can't speak for NCU but my former employer encouraged employees to take the "non-traditional" distance doctorate from Capella. All fees were company paid.

See http://www.capella.edu/about_capella/corporate_alliances.aspx which lists my former employer along with some other Furtune 500 compamies

 

Re: Re: Northcentral University Doctorate

Ian,

Were you a former greeter at Wal-Mart?

 

Thanks gang for the informative and in at least one case humorous response.

 

Since the NCU PhD is regionally accredited it will hold the same merit as the traditional PhD. However, having said that, the acceptance of an online PhD is still lagging behind a traditionally earned PhD. Jonathan Adams and Margaret DeFleur did a study entitled: "The Acceptability of a Doctoral Degree Earned Online as a Credential for Obtaining a Faculty Position" found in The American Journal of Distance Education (Vol. 19, No.2, 2005). Their conclusion: "Tentatively, the findings indicate that such degrees are not accepted as the equivalent of those earned in the traditional manner for those seeking academic employment."

In my opinion, there are several limitations to this study some of which the authors alluded to. However, one limitation that I found particularly disturbing and that I feel skewed the study (IMHO) was the way in which the online university was described on the questionnaire. It should also be said that other very important variables come to play in this process, i.e., professional background, publications, affiliations, etc. Nevertheless, it stands to reason that traditional PhD's remain in hiring preference.

 

just some thoughts

I think the most important thing for non-tradition doctoral degree holders seeking academic placement at teaching institutions is a strong professional resume focused in the area of teaching interest. These distance degrees are great if you need a box checked, such as for career advancement, etc., but aren't really taken seriously by the academy.

We’re IMHO about 15 years from any relatively comparative standing with traditional programs. If DL degrees (and I'm really talking about Walden, Capella, NCU, Touro type schools - not DL from Penn, etc.) they are ever viewed as relatively comparative, this recognition will be a function of demonstrated research, publication and meaningful participation and advancement of the literature within the academy.

DL PhDs must publish and make headway in this direction, which takes time. This will start with building a dissertation committee with academic strength and respect, which will at this time, likely require a considerable effort to attract members outside of the schools, as the publication records of many DL adjuncts would not advance one's standing in the academy necessarily. Many DL students are as good as any B & M student of course, but don’t' have that option. The best of the best must seek out B & M PhDs and co-publish with them, including conference presentation, even if the other PhD is on the ticket just for recognition. (e.g., they just provide guidance and recognition for the journal editorial committee) Then ultimately, journals may accept single authored papers from a Northcentral graduate, for example. I'm generalizing, but this process of recognition, IMHO, will take 10-15 years or so.

DL degrees may always be most useful for career reasons - and that's great. I personally hope that the really better students and/or those with the free time will push the DL flag up the field with respect to academic quality and recognition also.

Just some thoughts.