Finaallyyy Accepted!!!

Friends, I am delighted to report that I have finally been fully accepted into the Charles Sturt University's Doctor of Public Policy Degree. It has been an experience. I had to produce all sorts of documents, and had to submit my dissertation topic twice. I did, however, get approval on my second try. In the meantime, though, everyone was really great. Dr. Casey has been so helpful. The processing was not difficult, just time consuming. I found out during this process that it does help to befriend someone at the school. That 'friend' made sure that all my paperwork made it to where it needed to be. I was even able to get Financial Aid to pay my school fees.

Just wanted you all to know.

 

Welcome aboard! I hope that the program goes well for you. There are apparently other students in the US. What subject are you doing this semester?

 

Congratulation!

How long you used for developing a proposal? and will you have to go for present it at australia?

 

Well, that's truly fine! I had hoped to recruit you into the legal ranks, but that's okay. I'm sure you will do well and accomplish much!

 

That's wonderful news - especially the bit about financial aid.

Was it hard to qualify?

 

I am very interested in their InfoSec Program. I ultimatly want a PHD and need to make sure the transferability is there. LE, did you reseach this at all?? Thanks!!!!

Lou

 

What's the cost in US dollars?

Congratulations!

What does it cost per year to attend?

Are there any residencies?

Also, what kind of aid did you get? Loan or grant from Australia?

I am interested in their Doctor of Business Leadership program.

Thanks.

G

 

Charles Sturt University

Thanks, Thanks, Thank you all. Very touched by your support. So far so good, still getting my questions answered ASAP, everyone is so helpful and best of all - if you ever come across someone that can not assist you with that of which you seek. Rest assured these guys would find someone who can. Like the good old days. Took me back to what customer service once was. The good ole' daze. LOL.

Nova could learn a lesson or two from CSU, I can tell you that for sure.

Anyway, to answer some of your questions: I applied through FAFSA - hope I wrote that right. I approached the financial aid process the self same way I did when I went to Nova Southeastern. The only difference being, I went with an organization - Stafford Loan underwriters - that tended to be MORE familiar with the international financial aid process. For instance, I (not telling you to go through them) decided to go with Salliemae International for my Stafford Loan. I downloaded the school certification form, identified an individual at CSU to email the form to, had them scan, sign and emailed the form back to me, I in turn faxed the form to Salliemae. I emailed my contact at CSU, told them what I needed, and even went as far as to expedite the process by filling out the form and sending it to them to confirm, sign and stamp. That was it. Quick and simple. Once I had the school certification to Salliemae, I downloaded the MPN - Master Promissory Note, filled it out, made a notation that I would like the funds sent directly to me and I in turn will remit payment to CSU. They complied.

The only slight problem I had was that CSU was not on their (Salliemae's) list of foreign schools that they provide financing for. So, I went to the US DOE Official Site, and looked up CSU school code. I had some difficulty locating it that way, although some may have better success. Once I visited FAFSA I had no problem coming up with CSU on the list of schools that the government endorses. I located the school code, wrote Salliemae and provided them with the info. Sallie told me to include the code on my forms and submit them (the forms).

That was it. Got processed and was ready to go. CSU wasn't on Sallie's list of foreign institutions (and may not be on most of the other loan service's list) because CSU does not participate in Electronic Funds Transfer. That means any money would have to either be mailed to you or mailed to CSU or whatever institution you attend. Trust me; you do not want your money mailed for many reasons. Two of the most prevalent (1) It stands a big chance of getting lost and (2) mail takes ten centuries to reach it destination. Which means (1) IF the money makes it to the institution, it will arrive shortly before my 9 year old receives her first retirement check from the government, and (2) By the time any refund makes it back to you, by mail, well, the last bit of honey would have dripped uphill? International Loan services like Salliemae International knows this and gives you the option if you ask.

Lou: CSU accepted my US Credits. I didn't have a problem because my classes were easily transferable and I would have had to redo the same classes since they were also a requirement a CSU. My classes were Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.

Airbourne, it was EASY, really, for me to qualify for financial aid, yes indeed. If you need help email me.

nosborne48, trust me; you haven't seen the last of me yet. Don't give up on me. I am thinking of joining my friend in going for a JD (Non-Bar) and I'll do it at the school you recommend. See how much weight your opinion carries? If they accept some of Grad Law Classes I'd go with them. If not, I'll be joining you for my Grad Route LL.B.

zvavda: I actually took one day to develop my proposal - honest. The first time I submitted it - they told me, I had an excellent idea but my topic was entirely too broad. I went back to the drawing board, looked at sample topics and proposals, followed the example of others, submitted it and both my topic and my proposal was accepted. The simplest way I could put it is: What, Why and How. By responding to those questions - in my mind, of course, I addressed the premise of my proposal. What is your topic, why have you chosen your topic - essentially, what do you want answered. Last, how do you intend to answer the question you asked? Again, what type of research do you intend to engage in? I do not mean to make it sound simple - but the process of preparing a proposal, for me, was not difficult once I approached it from this perspective.

No, I do not have to present or defend my dissertation in Australia. Not at all.

ebbwvale: I was promoted (because of prior credits) directly to the dissertation writing stage. I emailed my professor and asked him if I could again take a research class. He agreed. I signed up two days ago. Therefore, I may be found in the Research in Policing class. Which are you taking? What stage are you in the game? Any tips?

Actually, CSU boasts quite a bit of students in the US. Residential Institutes will be held in many places here in the US. Dr. Casey - a really nice gentleman - is in Maine as we speak. I personally know of at least six students who left Nova Southeastern and signed up with CSU.

For those of you that haven't fallen asleep after reading my long response - may I ask if there is a book or if there are books you can recommend that has proven helpful in writing a dissertation? Any dissertation of dummies book? LOL. I could surely use a stack of them for sure.

Any questions at all - do let me know.

Kind Regards,

 

I am pleased that the "Down Under" experience went well. I may be doing my Doctorate a little differently and undertaking a portfolio of work rather than a dissertation. It is a relatively new process at the university. I am not even sure that the rules for this track are actually fully developed at this time.

I have to complete the subjects section of the course. These are designed basically to help you to the dissertation or, in my case, a portfolio. I have just sent my portfolio proposal away for consideration, so I should know in the near future whether the intended portfolio is approved.

If so, then I am well down the track and will hopefully finish next year. I did say hopefully!

 

Don't worry about the length - I stopped, stretched, made a sandwich and found the strength to carry through

Congrats, and you may have found your dissertation topic by simply documenting the FAFSA and admission process! All my best.

Dave

 

Jig

Ha ha ha Jig..that's cute. LOL. We'll talk some more.

Hugs

 

Re: Charles Sturt University

There are LOTS of books out there. I've started picking up one or two every so often, and before I knew it, I had a bookshelf full of them.

One that I seem to like the best overall is, "How to complete and survive a doctoral dissertation", by David Sternberg. And older book, but very useful.

I also liked "Doing a Literature Review : Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination" by Christopher Hart. This one was published by the Open University UK, so it has the DL student in mind.

Other than that, I would say look at other PhD disserations in your field to try and get a feel for what is expected. Remember, you are not trying to change the world, or write a magnum opus, you are just trying to complete your PhD. You can always save the world later.

Good luck!

 

Hello Ladyexec,

Congrats! you will find the experience difficult but rewarding.

I'm in the dissertation phase at CSU for the DBA in the US and expect to be completed later this year. The distance can be difficult but, I found it doable and the supervision very good.

We'll see how good after I receive the feedback on the submission. Be persistent and just keep plugging along.

Any questions let me know.

BH

 

Thanks for the info, I looked at the DBA program and wonder about the costs? Any info out there? I will email them but thought it best to start here.
thanks!

 

For me it has been $2200 AU per semester * 8 semesters. This equates to about 1,500 per semester US give or take depending on exchange rates.

I could not touch this cost in the US for a fully accredited degree. Not sure what total current cost is but it is still a deal.

Trips were not required. I made one and found it well worth it!

Hope it Helps.

BH