Questions Questions Questions!

I am currently a high school teacher and have just graduated with a M.Ed. in Educational Technology. I am looking at several schools to pursue doctoral studies, more specifically, an Ed.D. in Educational Technology. I am looking at Northcentral University to complete the Ed.D. in Educational Technology Management – a subject area that really interests me. I have researched the university and have talked to all of the ambassadors and other graduates of the university. In addition, I have been talking to an admissions officer and the Dean of Education at the University as well. All information I have received about the program and the university has been quite positive and will fit my needs as a learner. I am well aware that the programs available at the university involve mostly independent work and are writing intensive. That is exactly what I am looking for.

I have talked to a couple of members here on the board who are in doctoral programs at the University, and most of their feedback has really helped me. I do have some questions that I’m hoping members could help me answer about the university…

1) I know that NCU is an online (RA accredited) school. I am looking to continue teaching high school for the next couple of years and eventually move to teaching community college full time and/or adjunct. I am also looking to teaching online courses. I am NOT looking to work at a university as a full time professor. Would I be able to get such a position at a community college with a degree earned from this school?

2) I understand that NCU is a new university and it seems like it is growing a lot and I hope that it continues to grow. However, let’s say in 20 years, the university isn’t around (for whatever reason), but I have completed an R.A. accredited Ed.D. from this university. Would my degree be void if this were to happen?


I look forward to reading the responses and feedback I get from these questions! Thanks!

 

Hello,

1) A degree from any University does not guarantee employment as an adjunct faculty or as tenure professor, it sure helps the reputation and other accreditation.

2) You degree will be still valid. If not mistaking some in the board have coin this situation as an orphan degree, But this can happen to any University.

 

I have seen staff at the local community college with PhD's and EdD's from Walden, Capella, and a few other DL schools. I don't know if they earned them while employed at the school are after they were hired for their masters degree.

 

1. I understand that a degree from any university does not guarantee employment and the reputation of the university helps. However, I also think that there are other factors besides a university's reputation which can help with the overall job placement and decision. Right?

2. Thanks for the info. about the "orphan degree" and I agree that this can happen at any university. I've just never seen such a situation...

Thanks!

 

Then you answer your own questions.

 

That was incredibly rude. I was simply asking if you thought that there were other factors in trying to get a job at a college besides "the reputation of the university".

 

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Well.... if you take the community college I work for, having a masters degree would qualify you for arts and science classes, but we don't offer any ed tech classes. Our ed classes are part of larger transfer programs into 4 year universities. I would say this is pretty standard. I don't know if you'll find a lot of ed tech at the 100/200 level, which is whats offered in that market. ON THE OTHER HAND, community colleges need people to bring technology into the classroom- take classroom courses and put them online. We just hired a new technology director. Colleges (like mine) also love to train faculty. You might find more leads thinking outside the box...er...classroom!

 

Reputation certainly helps....with most other things being equal, the candidate with the degree from the more prestigious school is probably going to get the nod. This doesn't need to be Harvard vs. Podunk State College; it could mean NCU (which is thought of as an "online school") vs. Generic State University, with the nod usually going to the person with the state university degree.

 

Northrop University and West Coast University, both RA schools in S. California, closed down in the 70s and 80s. I used to work with several engineers who graduated from one or the other of these universities. Also worked with an adjunct professor from West Coast.

 

1) I don't think that educational technology would normally be an associate's level course. With your MEd Ed Tech plus experience as an educational technologist, you could be applying for adjuncting positions in online master's programs.

2) If your school goes out of business after you graduate, you still have a legitimate degree and your old school's accreditation agency is usually the one to store the records.

 

This is a polite answer considering your sarcasm. But in any event that was my perception to your comment to my answer, if that was not the situation, then I withdraw what was written. Best of luck in your future goals.

 

Best of luck to you too.