link for Canadian and US students of UNISA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by hermes, Nov 1, 2007.

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  1. hermes

    hermes New Member

    http://iaci-canada.com/studentservices.php

    I have no affiliation with Dr. Esselen or his organization. However, when I was waiting so long and having such hassles with UNISA, he got things done immediately. I was trying to arrange to study from my temporary home in Vietnam, and communications were very expensive. He accomplished wonders.
     
  2. morganplus8

    morganplus8 New Member

    You're right, it doesn't matter where you are from, he works wonders, processed my paperwprk on a Canadian holiday! What are you applying for? For me it's the DCom degree.
     
  3. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Thank for this. PS. I am just completing my first year in the DBL program, and would welcome some dialogue here with other UNISA students. Cheers...
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Please share with the board:

    Costs?
    Admission process?
    Content?
    Prerequisites?
    Howzitgoin?
     
  5. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    I'd love to hear how the DBL (or any program) at UNISA is going...I have a few friends who have expressed interest in UNISA and would be interested in hearing more.
     
  6. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

  7. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    Thanks for the link...I'll pass it along.
     
  8. novemberdude

    novemberdude New Member

    Having heard some nightmarish stories about the doctoral admission process I'd be curious to hear how straightforward it was. Any comments would be appreciated, thanks.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Me too, for the same reason. I've even corresponded with someone who said that Dr. Esselen seemed perfectly willing to navigate their bureaucracy, but that in this case it stymied even him.

    -=Steve=-
     
  10. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    It was straightforward for me. I filled out the paperwork and forwarded it to Dr. Esselin. I was aware that there was a waiting list. I got a prompt notice from the University that I was wait-listed. Several months later (maybe 6-8) I received notice that I was in. Then the correspondence started flowing, with instructions on how to proceed, how to log-in to the online system etc.

    The big difference about these research-based doctorates is that there are no "courses" to take, provided your prerequisites measure up. So the wait-list becomes less of an issue, provided you can start more-or-less the same year you were hoping to start. You do have to be very self-directing, though. Personally I prefer this to some of the "busy work" (eg. tons of 3-5 page papers on stuff I already covered in my MBA) I have heard about in more course-based doctorates. Cheers...
     
  11. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    How is one paired up with a faculty supervisor? This is the most important thing to me, because that relationship is so often a defining element in one's success or failure at this level.

    -=Steve=-
     
  12. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    I'll let the group know when I get there - this happens in the second year. Cheers...
     
  13. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Oh, I meant in their research-only programs, such as their DEd, which I've considered. I'd think that they'd want to pair students up with faculty member who share their research interest, even accept or reject students based on the availability of a compatible faculty member.

    -=Steve=-
     
  14. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  15. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    So what does he do exactly? Sends in your paperwork?
     
  16. ShotoJuku

    ShotoJuku New Member

    Forgive my ignorance here, but is UNISA recognized by CHEA/USDoEd?
     
  17. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    They've been accredited by DETC, although there's been a lot of speculation why they would bother, since as a SAQA-approved South African university they're already the equivalent of regionally accredited.

    -=Steve=-
     
  18. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    UNISA DBL update

    Hi Folks,

    I just received word that my major paper for the first year of the DBL has been reviewed and accepted by the university. This means I can proceed immediately into the dissertation phases. I will be assigned a supervisor shortly. They do this based on a 2-page research abstract I submitted, which they try to match to the appropriate faculty person whose expertise and interests best line up with my proposed research.

    I am very pleased to be moving forward, and I will keep you posted as to how things go. My personal experience has been very positive so far, and I would encourage anyone interested in this program to explore it further. Cheers...
     
  19. st22345

    st22345 Member

    Steve,
    I believe they are DETC approved for all their other degrees, but the Doctorate is excluded.
     
  20. morganplus8

    morganplus8 New Member

    Hello distancedoc2007!

    I have been following your progress and it sounds great. Can you take a moment to describe your qualifications, I know you have an MBA, but in terms of the whole application, ... what you needed .... degrees, marks, background please? Do you have to defend your paper, are you going over there, how long will you take to complete the work etc.. Much appreciated as I have an MBA too, (do they readily accept that degree?) as well as two other degrees at the under grad level. I'm interested in their DCom (Econ) program at this point but I've delayed applying because I need a decent topic!

    Thanks,
    Dave
     

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