New DBA program at Walden University

Walden has a new DBA program, that has 10 concentrations:
http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_14312.htm

 

It seems no dissertation.

 

It looks cheaper than Argosy University with the following incentives:




$725 per semester credit hour, which includes the cost of all required textbooks



Technology Fee does not seem to be that bad : per semester $40

 

Well they just call it a 24 credit "Doctoral Study Project".

 

So, this what you call a DBA Lite?

Also they have Doctoral Studies Scholarship it seems you have to be unemployed and it would take about 7 years to finish with that $4k grant and possible some loans, not bad I only wished this was available 10 years ago:

The Walden University Doctoral Studies Scholarship is available for new students who start their program on or after March 3, 2008, and continuing students whose renewal financial aid award year begins on March 3, 2008. This need-based scholarship offers $4,000 per financial aid award year. It is offered first-come, first-served so long as funds are available. It is renewable so long as funds are available and you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must

* Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
* Be accepted and enrolled full-time (6 credits per quarter/semester) as a doctoral student
* File a 2007–2008 FAFSA and supply any additional information required (e.g., clear up defaulted loans, selective service documentation, overlapping loan clearance forms)
* Demonstrate financial need with an expected family contribution (EFC) of $500 or less as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
* Have all of your official transcripts on file with the Office of Admissions
* Meet standards for satisfactory academic progress set forth by the Office of Financial Aid

 

I'm assuming the project is expected to be equivolent to a dissertation. So no DBA Lite.

 

Well, kind of due to the specialization is only 9 credits at least in the finance concentration. Most adjunct positions, you will need 18 credits to teach that specialization!

 

There is a finance course in the core plus the 24 credits on the project - which would be related to the specialization I presume. Many people in this specialization would have at least an MBA if not MS in Finance which would provide additional finance related courses.

BTW, the degree requires more credits than the NCU doctorate, 60 beyond a masters. I just don't think this is a weak doctorate.

 

Agreed; just because the word "dissertation" is not used doesn't mean anything. The Union Institute & University uses the term "Project Demonstrating Excellence" for their Ph.D. programs.

 

So with a 30 credit masters, Walden's DBA requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits. NCU only requires 81 graduate credits, which is 9 credits less than Walden. I don't think it's a weak DBA either.

 

So, would you consider a PhD graduate from The Union Institute & University, let says, that graduated with a PhD with a specialization in accounting a strong credential? and knowing the The Union Institute & University does not have a business school or an accounting school for that matter. I had met this kind of graduate and read the dissertation and was scare thing how weak it was and had no faculty with accounting credential for chair and committee. The only thing good that I can say about that is that the person did follow APA format and University procedures. This prove that a good dissertation is done dissertation. (no offense or flame intended to other The Union Institute & University graduates)

 

Union only allows specializations in certain fields, and I don't believe accounting is one of them. My point is that the lack of the specific term "dissertation" is no reflection on the rigor of a program or the legitimacy of a degree.

 

Well, Union seems to me they got in the accounting game!

My point was not to question the rigor or legitimacy of the program of Walden but it weakness in the specialization of finance and to point out that they seem not to have a dissertation(but I don't know that for sure), but for that will need for the first graduates of the program, lets estimate five years from now. Or perhaps the answer is a phone call away!

 

NCU is still on top of my list to Capella, Phoenix, Walden, and Colorado Tech. Walden's program is decent... too expensive.

 

As mentioned already, they call the dissertation a "Doctoral Study Project"; just a horse of different color if you ask me. The research guidelines may be slightly different, but it's still a substantial project that's the culmination of the doctoral program.

 

Agree! Very Expensive!

 

I agree and for the heck of it I am going to ask them for information so I can compare their research guidelines. They seem to be missing the comps exam in the equation(again I don't know that) as NCU is missing the residency element. Hey is not a perfect world.

 

It depends. If you don't get a tuition reduction at NCU and have to get private (read high interest rate) student loans, Walden may not be that bad of an investment compared to NCU since it includes books and has the ability to get low rate stafford loans and possibly some scholarship funds. I have not run the numbers, but it maybe a similar investment for some folks.

Then there is the fact that it is has been around for several decades and most likely many more and has many graduates working in academia. I'm not nocking NCU, but it is more of a gamble in my opinion.

 

I must be missing the accounting program(s) at Union, could you provide me a link?

Thanks.