I woke up this morning to the great email that I have been accepted into NCU's Ed.D. program, with a specialization of Training and Development Leadership, and I plan on starting with this program August 1st. I decided to go this route, instead of returning to my doctoral studies at Capella, for two main reasons: 1. Subject. As I have progressed along my career path, my interests in my doctoral research and what it can contribute to my growth as a practitioner have changed somewhat. So, instead of a Ph.D. in general business studies, I want to focus more specifically in the area of T&D. If I had stayed at Capella, this would have meant either still finishing the Ph.D. in Business, thus not really specializing in my career, or switching to their Ph.D. in T&D, which leads to point #2 . . . 2. Cost. To remain at Capella, in my old doctoral track, would have cost me close to $35k. To switch to the T&D program at Capella would have caused that number to go much higher. At NCU, they also have the T&D specialization, and I can complete the Ed.D. for around $17k -- a much more palatable number, thanks to my transfer credits and a superb tuition discount for military (over 40% per credit hour!). NCU also awarded me 6 credit hours above and beyond the normal transfer amount of 30, for my doctoral work done at Capella. I must admit, I was secretly hoping for more -- they can award up to 15 additional hours. However, looking at their evaluation and decision, it also makes sense, given that I am moving from one subject area to another. A third point is that I'm looking forward to NCU's model of more independent work, guided by a mentor. I'm really at a point in my doctoral work where the required classroom interaction of Capella's model was starting to get irritating . . . for my original dissertation topic, my lit review was just about completed. Now, of course, it will have to shift, but I will be able to use my past research in my new topic for sure. In other words, at this point in the game, I just want to focus strictly on my own topic. So, I am satisfied and pleased with my decision, and look forward to resuming my doctoral studies . . . this time at NCU. I'll keep y'all updated as I progress. Oh, btw -- so far, I have found NCU's customer service to be excellent -- they have handled my numerous questions very efficiently and effectively. Cheers, Adrienne
Good for you . Congratulations!! Claudia Santin, NCU President and Provost has an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern U. Looks like it served her well. Good luck!
Congratulations on your acceptance. If you go with NCU, you should join the NCU Yahoo learner's group (link below). They have a pretty nice database about individual mentors at NCU and they are a great sounding board for questions and concerns. The group only allows NCU learners and alumni in so the discussions are kept private. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nculearner/ One thing I miss about NCU is the independent study. My current program requires a lot of group work for each class. While I think it is a terrific exercise in working in virtual teams, the coordination is a real pain.
Congrats! I am glad that you found the program that best fits your plan! Good luck! Andy (If I remember correctly, we took FAU's online class together once... )
Thanks, everyone! PhD2B, thanks so much for the link to the Yahoo group! I will definitely join, once I have access to the NCU learner site; I see the request to join must go through there. Hi Andy, great to communicate with you again! Did you finish the FAU program? After that first semester, I decided it was not for me, and withdrew. Rich, thanks again for the link. You've sent it to me twice, but without explanation as to why. It does look like a great program, but it also states a minimum of 48 months to complete . . . I'd rather not take that long. Could you please elaborate a bit on why you are recommending this program to me so strongly? I'd appreciate it. Cheers, Adrienne
Hi. With regard to point #2, I am not convinced that tuition cost is a big consideration in switching doctoral programs. Doctoral process: yes. Research interests of the faculty: yes. Doctoral program congestion: yes. Time to completion: yes. Other marginally-quantifiable reasons associated with economic and academic utilty: yes. Tuition cost: no. My two cents. Still, congrats on taking this next step in pursuing your research interests. Dave
Hi adireynolds: Welcome to NCU! I’m in their DBA program working through the Comps process. I personally think you made a good choice! My ID on the NCU learner boards is davelady if you want to contact me there for any reason. Just one piece of information, at one point the Yahoo group was collecting class syllabuses from NCU and trading them with other people not enrolled in the classes. This is a violation of NCU policy; I was briefly a member of the group but dropped out real quick when I figured out what was going on. I’m sure that they are not doing it any more, and am a friend to any NCU learner or alumni; I just did not personally want to be associated with a group that was going against university policy. Some people think it is a silly policy, I personally don’t, but either way want to maintain the highest levels of integrity in support of the DL learning process. I’m sure it is a terrific group now and follows all the rules, just wanted you to know all the facts before you put your name in that hat.
Congrats on the new program. Just to keep you honest Dave...At the time that you were a member, the NCU Yahoo group only provided a URL link to the Syllabus that was hosted on NCU's website....the same URL link that any NCU learner could obtain on their own through NCU's website or from their advisor.
Hi Eric: A distinction that I do not see the nuance to given university policy, so it really was about keeping you and the group honest not me. BUT, we’ve had our conversation on this; I maintain total respect for you as a person. Even though we differ on this topic, you and I agree on many other topics.
I'm not. I didn't realize it was you both times. (I tend not to notice who says what, except in extreme cases.) Not recommending them, strongly or otherwise. I do like them, though. The program is solid, understandable, accessible for Americans, and not too expensive. But with your particular situation, it probably isn't a good fit. But when I see discussion regarding doctorates in this area, I toss it out there for people to explore. Good luck in your quest. The NCU program, for example, can be really good for folks.
Yes I did finish the program (my company paid for it so I couldn't complain much) and right now I am in Grenoble's DBA program... So far so good. Good luck!
