Greetings! I just wanted to share that my emperience has been VERY positive with Capella University. They do have a few kinks... but so goes it with all schools. In essence, I highly recommend Capella and think they will end up being the leader in distance learning. Rob ------------------ Rob Doctoral Learner Capella University
Hi Rob, As an alumus of Capella, I totally agree. Use the funnel approach to complete your degree in the least possible (2 years) time. ------------------ Howard Rodgers
Howard, what is the "funnel approach"? I noticed some time back that you mentioned completing the Capella program in two years. How is it done? ------------------ David Fraser
Greetings! Simon, I have finished course work for the academic psychology degree and in two weeks will complete an internship in teaching that took place at the University of Kentucky. I just finished teaching a graduate course and assisted a biopsychologist in small animal surgery. Also, I have recieved special permission to complete the course work (an additional 7 classes) that will allow me to sit for clinical lic. in KY. Of course, I will be completing another internship ect. in the clinical area. My year in residence begins in June 2002. I could have earned a PhD at the University of Kentucky free but they will not let faculty that are full time professors in the system enroll in degree programs that are prefixed psy. My tenure requires psy prefixes. The Southern Association is very picky about this issue. Thanks for asking. Rob Assistant Professor of Psychology ------------------ Rob Assistant Professor of Psychology Doctoral Learner, Capella University
If you want to see what others think of Capella as well as Walden, check out this survey: http://survey.nagps.org You will need to go to the state the school is located in to get the specific results. Regards, Dick
Funneling is an American college ritual. Insert course for beer, however, do not mix and beers and courses You'll need a large funnel and flexible tubing. This assembly is often called the 'beer bong.' Connect tubing to funnel. Hold your thumb over the free end of the tube. Have fellow student fill funnel with beer and hold funnel over your head . Place free end with thumb in mouth. Remove thumb from end of tube, swallow and let gravity do the rest. You should be able to do a semester in 2 seconds or less. Pete
Yes, but if you do funnels as a distance learner, then you're drinking alone....one of the danger signs of alcoholism. Bruce
The funnel approach is to compact the courses into the 10 questions you need to present to the committee for your comprehensive and make sure the 10 questions can be further compacted into your dissertation. By doing this you are completing future work while you are doing the course work. Capella DOES NOT endorse this and states that you must finish the courses before doing the comprehensive and you must finish the comprehensive before doing the dissertation, but we all know this is to keep you in the program longer. Do it smart - start with the open end of the funnel as the courses, comprehensive, and dissertation and make sure a dissertation comes out of the funnel in two years. Cheers! ------------------ Howard Rodgers
Howard and all - I have to wonder about any doctoral program that can be completed in 2 years of study, particularly when it is completed on a distance basis. In my own experience at NSU, 3 years was the minimum and the 4.5 years I took was not uncommon. Occasionally, I hear of folks completing doctorates at traditional schools in such a short time - but the norm is far longer. Besides getting a piece of paper - isn't the whole point of a doctorate to learn and grow? How creditable can a program be if you short cut like this? Regards - Andy ------------------ Andy Borchers, DBA NSU (1996)
I have no problem with those that take this "funnel" approach. It should be noted and understood that this approach is successful by the fewest of the few. I am a Capella doctoral student that is nearly finished with my dissertation. Trying to shore up Chapters four and five to be ready to defend by end of February. I went into the program after talking to several Capella (TGSA at that time) learners. I was given very good advice and tips from other learners. At the summer sessions and focus seminars I attended, there were many that discussed the possibilities and methods that might help to facilitate a quicker process. However, despite all the talk and natural interest of many to get through as quick as possible, after three years as a Capella student, I know far more that had high hopes of finishing quickly, but are still methodically working through their program after three years. Yes, it can be done. Howard is one good example and I know others. I also know, despite the wide-eyed intentions of many, they simply do not learn or respond to a learning situation in a way that actually lets them operate in the "funnel" mode. Howard was able to think and act globally regarding his program. He would have been always focused on the clear objective. Very organized. Clear in vision about how the parts will fit together from the very beginning. Most learners do not and cannot operate this way. Many don't even know what their dissertation topic will be untill late in their program. Mine changed from what I originally started out thinking. I thoroughly applaud Howard for his ability to take control of his own program, and while meeting the requirements, not letting those same requirements become his master. It is not an easy thing to do. His ability to be successful at this approach speaks well for him, not the other way around. I had hoped to complete my program in what I thought was a realistic two and a half years. I will be slightly over three years. If Capella had a different tuition plan, perhaps more in line with state universities where you pay by the credit, I may actually have chosen to stay in the program up to four years, just for the experience. The pay as you go concept makes it too difficult to stay any longer than you actually have to. I must say, the experience has been grand and I have found Capella to offer just what I needed. Providing enough structure to help keep me in line while offering enough flexibility to allow me to learn my way. Expensive? I would have to say yes. More value than a German sports car or a room addition for the same amount of money? In my book, no doubt about it! There is no dollar value I can place on the satisfaction I have and will gain from successfully completing this journey.
It's good link and I did experience similar problems. I think they have a lousy server/ISP. When you do get onboard, there is a variety of ways the survey results can be reported. I ran across the DL Schools when I was knocking around the listing of states. Capella, Walden and Novasoutheastern showed up. Regards, Dick
Thanks, Paul. I should note that when I went into the Capella Ph.D. program I had 1 associates degree, 2 bachelors, and 2 R/A masters and one alternative masters. I had complete two master's thesis. So I was not a novice to the research idea. Also, as Andy pointed out, I transferred in 42 credits and only had to complete the minimum. And who said learning was delimited by time. Time is a nebulous concept for those who don't understand focus. ------------------ Howard Rodgers
Freud... Which Classes are you teaching in the spring? I am enrolled in UK taking a few classes. This fall I took Accounting, Economics, and Marketing at UK.
