Computer Science Doctorate CTU

I am toying with the idea of entering a doctorate program and have been looking at the offering from Colorado Technical University. Understanding that it is expensive (tuition reimbursement would offset this), what does everyone think of its utility and structure.

I like the multiple residencies and the fact that there are 6 published works instead of a full dissertation. What are everyone else's thoughts?

I suppose this question would be relevant to it's doctor of management as well, since it is the same format.

 

I don't think the school has good reputation. What's about Nova Southeastern University? Have you ever consider Ph.D in Computer Science with Nova?

 

Yep, I didn't hear any good things about it either.

Off topic -- TEKMAN, are you still in the Marine Corps?

 

I think CTU should get some credit for having what I believe to be the only ABET accredited, full scale (not "technology") engineering degrees offered by a for-profit.

 

CTU does indeed offer genuine ABET-accredited engineering BS degrees, in Electrical Engineering (since 1993) and Computer Engineering (since 1999). As Vincey37 suggests, they may be the only for-profit ABET engineering degrees around.

These degrees are apparently offered only at CTU's B&M campus in Colorado Springs. They aren't available by DL.

 

Technically, the program is offered through it's ground campus in Colorado Springs with online component as a follow on like other B&M programs.

 

pr0xy, I still have another 1 1/2 years in the IRR. I am thinking going to do the selective reserve. Well, still live off Uncle Same from civilian job to veterna benefits.

 

Tekman, I served active duty 4 yrs in the AF and later transferred to the reserves when my MSO ended. It's actually a good gig. You still get plenty of benefits for higher education. Good luck to you.

 

The question is, what you want to do with it? If your goal is to get a tenure track position after graduation, you will find that it might be just too difficult to find something with a CTU degree. If your goal is professional development and teach on the side, any accredited degree might serve this purpose so look for a program that can satisfy your interests and suits your study style.

If price is an issue, NCU has a degree in applied computer science that might serve your purpose. South African schools are a good deal but more academic demanding. You also have Walden with a PhD in MIS or Capella with a PhD in IT.

Nova is perhaps the best option for those looking for a tenure track since they have a record of graduates teaching full time at many schools.

 

I really don't see how CTU would be any different or worse than say Northcentral University. Being that they are ABET and your degree will be technology related I would venture a guess that CTU would be a sound choice. Of course I don't work in academia, I work in the real world along with my brother who is a CTU grad. He also works for a major military contractor who paid for his degree from CTU, who has several doctoral grads from CTU on staff (among other colleges) and they all seem fairly pleased.

But then that's my non-scientific anecdotal toss in.


BTW the published work in place of a dissertation is pretty cool and at least to me will have more applicability than what would be served by a dissertation in the real world as you can reference your articles, books, etc. on a resume.

 

This would most likely be the case as I do not have a desire to teach full-time.

However, I would assume that in the future, if I changed my mind, this degree would be welcomed,or at least accepted, at many community colleges or for-profits(many of whom require only a Masters to lecture). Am I correct in this assumption?

 

I think CTU should serve you well but if you want the maximum utility for future, you might want to go for a more tested product. Nova has a good history of graduates working full time at different universities. Capella and Walden also have some successful stories at different schools. Getting a doctorate is a long term commitment so in my opinion, one should get the best you can given your budget and time available for the program.

The lack of dissertation can be a good and a bad thing with CTU. Notice that their requirements are 6 publishable projects but not 6 publications. This means that you don't have to publish 6 articles but only to create 6 publishable articles. I think this is mainly a time issue since one article might take a year to publish so if they were to ask you to publish 6 articles, this might just take longer than a traditional dissertation. However, this means also that a graduate might walk away with no dissertation and no publications. This makes almost the doctorate worthless in my opinion.