Walden Ed.D vs Capella Ed.D

Hello All,

Okay, so here's the deal. I am an Education Services Officer on an Air Force base and currently in Liberty's online Ed.S in Educational Leadership program on the way to an Ed.D (6 hours completed, GPA: 4.0). I chose Liberty because of the super low tuition cost for veterans ($250/sem. hr.)

I have decided to switch to an online Ed.D program having a greater emphasis on higher education administration (Liberty's program is geared more toward folks in the K-12 arena). My goal is to work at places such as the Community College of the Air Force, Air University, DANTES, etc.

I have been accepted into Walden's Ed.D in Higher Education and Adult Learning program http://www.waldenu.edu/Degree-Programs/Doctorate/18364.htm. However, I am also strongly considering Capella's Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Management program http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/education/edd/education_leadership_mgmt.aspx.

With my career goal in mind, which do you think is the better degree program for me? To me, Capella's program is better for folks interested in higher education administration. Please keep in mind the main issue for me is choosing a program that will help me reach my goal, not which school has the better reputation. I am not looking to teach or to impress civilian employers with the degree.

Feel free to suggest another doctoral program if you think it will help me reach my goal. Please note: both of my Master's are NA and not in education, so I don't have a lot of options when it comes to getting into an Ed.D/Ph.D program.

By the way, Air Force civilian tuition assistance paid for my Liberty classes so I have not lost much money; just valuable time and the money for a few books.

Thanks!

 

Your civilian USAF TA pays for a higher level of education than my active duty USAF TA.

Wow.

 

You're right. Civilian TA can be used for doctoral classes while Military TA cannot. However, we are only allowed to use civilian TA for one class per term.

Also, USAF civilian TA is only offered in three commands. It is not a service-wide program like military TA. Fortunately, the command I'm in, AETC, offers civilian TA.

 

My advice would be to quit working on the doctorate. Don't be a dummie. Enjoy life. You don't need it for what you are planning to do and, otherwise, you don't appear to have sufficient external motivation to complete the dissertation. What will you do when your dissertation drags on for years because of whimsical requirements? Impoverish your family? Kick the dog? Learn how to drop the F-bomb in private?

If you must continue, because you have money to spend (or some other overwhelming internal motivation), stick with Liberty University. The emphasis probably won't matter. Also, I really like that school. I took an accounting information systems class in the MS Accounting program awhile back and was extremely impressed with the student services and my instructor.

 

Dave,

Weren't [or aren't] you in a PhD program?

If so, what happened?

 

Just a thought...

I know you said that Liberty's program is geared towards K-12 administration, however, have you looked into whether or not Walden or Capella will accept an EdS and apply it to a doctorate? I know when I was looking at an EdS through the University of South Dakota, I found out Walden would count it towards the hours requirements for the PhD. I'm not sure about the EdD though. I'm only suggesting this because the tuition at Liberty is clearly cheaper than the tuition at Walden or Capella. Furthermore, in the additional credits you'd need to earn for the doctorate, you could specialize in higher ed.

-Matt

 

I had the same thought. However, neither program will allow any credits to be transferred in.

Yes, the tuition at Liberty is a lot cheaper. But, it is just not the program I'm looking for. What good is cheap if it's not what you want?

At this point, I am leaning toward the Walden Ed.D. I read carefully through the Walden Ed.D program guide last night, and I was very impressed by what I read. Also, the Walden admissions rep has been much more responsive than the Capella rep. My Walden enrollment advisor answers emails almost immediately. The Capella advisor takes a couple of days to respond.

 

Why do pursuing a doctorate and enjoying life have to be mutually exclusive? I enjoy going to school, and my wife is excited about me earning a doctorate. Life is good!!

 

Hodges, out of curiosity but are the requirements for becoming an ESO?

 

Friend, you were warned. Go no further toward the doctorate unless you really need it. Your case for needing it is unconvincing, to me.

 

Hi there, I was actually enrolled in Walden's Ed.D program but in Teacher Leadership last year and ended up leaving because I could never get off time for work to attend the 1 required residency. I did went to Walden's DBA program, decided to have a change of heart, that did not work out, and now I am enrolled in Capella's online Ed.D program, which works out great because there is not a residency, so I do not have to miss time from work and apparently it can be completed within 3 years.

I am an administrator for a school district here in NC, while my district will not reimburse me for obtaining a doctorate, they only do so for teachers completing licensure requirements, they did say that I will be able to move into the doctorate level salary category once I obtain my doctorate, which is a plus for me.

Its never an easy choice to decide to pursue a doctorate, its alot of time and patience, but I also do instructional technology consultant work and I think it will lend credibility to my consulting work and boost my pay also as an adjunct for universities I work for. I can also say that its more of a personal goal for me, with my doctorate. I say go for it, if this is what you want to do. PM me if you want more info about Walden or Capella.

You may want to talk to the doctorate learners on phinished.org many are in the same situation as yourself.

Good luck!

 

I think it's a sad thing when you see someone actively advising another person to give up a dream.

Dave - You clearly had a bad experience. You sound bitter. Don't assume that this will generalize to everyone.

btw, if this is a sample of what's on your blog then I don't want more Dave.

 

I understand what you're saying. I looked into the Walden EdD program a while back. Having completed my MS with Walden, I read that they would take 6 credits from that program and apply it to the EdD. If they'll do that, perhaps they would do something similar for the credits you've already earned.

Now, as a Walden Alum, I will gladly tell you and shout it from the mountain tops that I loved my experience with Walden. If their PhD in K-12 Leadership lead to a license, I'd jump on it a heart beat. If you do go with Walden, I sincerely hope your experience was everything that mine was and more.

-Matt

 

Thanks so much for the feedback on Walden! I'll be sure to let you know if I choose Walden.

 

Kizmet, I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks!

 

From the Office of Personnel web site (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS1700/1740.htm):



GS-1740: Education Services Series


Basic Requirements: Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the position to be filled in one or a combination of the areas described below. At least one course must have been from (1) or (2) below. For guidance counselor positions, a college or university-sponsored practicum in counseling is also required.

1. Tests and measurement: Study of the selection, evaluation, administration, scoring, interpretation, and uses of group and individual aptitude, proficiency, interest, and other tests.

2. Adult education: Study of the adult as a learner, teaching-learning theories for adults, models and procedures for planning, designing, managing, and evaluating adult learning activities.

3. Educational program administration: Study of the foundation and methods in organizing for adult and continuing education programs.

4. Curriculum development or design: Study of the principles and techniques for development of curricula for adult or vocational education programs.

5. Teaching methods: Study of teaching strategies and learning styles of the adult learner.

6. Guidance and counseling: Study of the purposes and methods in counseling and guidance, the role of the counselor in various settings, approaches to counseling, and the uses of tests in the counseling situation.

7. Career planning: Study of career development, learning activities, systems, approaches, program coordination, use of educational and community resources, and vocational counseling systems.

8. Occupational information: Study of theories of occupational choice and vocational development and their application to the guidance process. Identification and utilization of various types of occupational information and resources.

 

So why are you working on a doctorate? Boredom? Money to spend? You don't really need one, so why?

 

I guess I am a dummy because I am enjoying life and working on a PhD. In the past several years of working on it, I had about ten days of thinking - what have I done! I started on it because I was getting tuition assistance and though I should not leave money on the table - that was my sole reason at the time. Now, I am looking at a lot of adjunct work and that may replace my corporate job someday. Just because you don't need it now doesn't mean it won't come in handy later!

I know I recently posted this threaded regarding my Concept Paper but I am sure it is normal to feel that way once in a while...in any program from an AA to a PhD. I am really enjoying this now because I "understand" what is expected of me and I am being pushed to levels of thinking I have never been to before.

If you want it and have the time or can make the time (that is critical) go for it!! Have you contacted NCU to find out if they will take your EdS?

 

I think pursuing a doctorate is worthwhile and if one wants it, s/he should pursue it. But is it realistic to expect that one can enjoy life and do the doctoral work at the same time? ALL the doctoral students I know have had to make major sacrifices (particularly with regard to time with family) for them to be able to finish the school work. In my opinion, while going for the higher degree is commendable, jumping into it without considering the real possibility of the mutual exclusivity between "life" and school is setting oneself up for a bitter experience in the future.

 

I'd listen to Vinipink, whose signature line says, "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."