Fielding Institute vs. University of Phoenix vs. Capella

Dear All:
I am very much interested in determining the following: The perception of the Fielding Institute vs. University of Phonix vs. Capella as academic institutions for the Ph.D. UOP offers only a DM (focused degree-no original research requirement).
Would a degree from any of these institutions enhance ones academic stature and credibility or detract from it.
What questions should one ask in considering a doctorate program from a distance or on-line educational institution?

 

Wiseone,

These are all accredited programs and you will find a lot of opinion for and against these institutions in terms of program, academic pedigree, and quality (i.e. DL, short-residentcy, not Ivy League, etc). A lot of discussion on this topic in general is on other threads in this forum. Thus, what type of academic stature are you looking for? This can encomapss a wild range of concerns from calling yourself "Dr." with a degree from an accredited institution to applying for a postion at an Ivy League School.

John

 

John:
Thank you for the prompt reply. I am looking for a solid return on my investment in terms of time, money, intellectual development. I would like some confidence that if I receive my degree from the University of Phoenix people, academics in particular, won't start to snicker and laugh. I am looking to use the degree to establish my credibility with the academic community and the business world. I would like to work as an internal or external consultant in the Organizational Development field.

 

My advice (worth exactly the screen it's printed on) would be to go for a program that requires you to write a lot of papers and do a lot of research, if your goal is to interface with academics. If you send a paper in for publication, you do not list your degrees. At the upper levels, those reading your paper won't know your name. At that level (doctoral) your research should be so specific that it will be clear to the reader just who you are -- because your paper will be highly focused in an area that you will have become a specialist in and the short list will be very short.

If the program you select does not require original research, that is not to say you cannot get respect. In research, the first thing is the research, and your ability to follow the norms of formal presentation. Whatever program you decide to follow, a strong background in this is critical to perception.

Above advice + $1.50 = coffee.


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Quinn

 

I will throw in my advice, which with +1.50 will allow you a sweet roll with the coffee. Quinn is right --- look for one that meets the need plus a lot of papers. Capella requires a lot of papers and an original dissertatio...I feel very good about my degree from Capella and the comprehensive exam and dissertation. I have been published twice and have presented at 2 national level meetings. And no one snickered when Capella was announced as the school that issued my PhD.

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Howard Rodgers

 

The brick and mortar mindset has not evolved at the same rate as quality distance learning opportunities have. My wife works at a local liberal arts college. One of the professors she works with made a passing comment about a colleague that was working on her PhD from Nova. Her comment was that the PhD will be worthless as everyone knows "those kind" of schools are like doctoral "high schools". I am sure there are some enlightened tenure track, traditional setting academics. But they are still outnumbered.

It is my opinion that you must embark on your path without regards for approval from any "academics". Upon completion of a doctoral program from any of the above mentioned schools, you yourself will be an academic. Focus on the business aspect of your goal and show your excellence through your work, despite the pooh poohs of the traditional academicians. They will come around in due time. Others will either acknowledge your achievements or they will not. If they do not, move on and leave them to their own devices.

As Hoffer so wonderfully put it: In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

Not all, but many traditional academics fall into that "learned" column. When you become an academic, you will have the choice of remaining a learner, or relegating your academic position to that of a learned.

I am a soon to be Capella doctoral program graduate. I have no doubts about the value of my degree and the goals and achievements it will help facilitate.

My .02 worth.

 

Then stay away from the University of Phoenix. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

I don't know anything about the Fielding Institute or Capella, though I haven't heard any razor sharp criticism against them (like I've heard about the UoP).

 

I am working on comps. at Capella and have found them to be a sound university.

Robert Hayes, Asst. Prof. of Psychology
Lexington Community College University of Kentucky

QUOTE]Originally posted by PaulC:

The brick and mortar mindset has not evolved at the same rate as quality distance learning opportunities have. My wife works at a local liberal arts college. One of the professors she works with made a passing comment about a colleague that was working on her PhD from Nova. Her comment was that the PhD will be worthless as everyone knows "those kind" of schools are like doctoral "high schools". I am sure there are some enlightened tenure track, traditional setting academics. But they are still outnumbered.

It is my opinion that you must embark on your path without regards for approval from any "academics". Upon completion of a doctoral program from any of the above mentioned schools, you yourself will be an academic. Focus on the business aspect of your goal and show your excellence through your work, despite the pooh poohs of the traditional academicians. They will come around in due time. Others will either acknowledge your achievements or they will not. If they do not, move on and leave them to their own devices.

As Hoffer so wonderfully put it: In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

Not all, but many traditional academics fall into that "learned" column. When you become an academic, you will have the choice of remaining a learner, or relegating your academic position to that of a learned.

I am a soon to be Capella doctoral program graduate. I have no doubts about the value of my degree and the goals and achievements it will help facilitate.

My .02 worth.[/QUOTE]

 

It would seem difficult to make such a strong condemnation of one school while knowing nothing about the other two. Especially when one considers that Phoenix has been operating about as long as Fielding and much longer than Capella. Also, all three are regionally accredited. Phoenix is proprietary, but so to is Capella. Finally, the poster offers no reasons for such a rejection.

All three schools are regionally accredited, offer short-residency doctoral programs, and cater to working professionals. One might find Fielding with a bit more tradition, a unique culture. Capella and Phoenix seem to run like businesses as much as like universities. Fielding's degrees are competency-based; Capella and Phoenix take a more coursework-based approach. All three would seem comparable in utility.

Rich Douglas

 

I'm a Fielding grad. Nova is an fine school. However, since your objective is OD, look long and hard at Fielding. Look esp. at the Human and Organizational Development (HOD) Ph.D. program.
http://www.fielding.edu/

Fielding is *highly* respected within the OD community - something I wasn't aware of when I entered the program. You'll have the opportunity to mentor with top-notch OD'ers, along with outstanding sociologists. Students at Fielding tend to come into the program as excellent practioners in their field as well - another great perk. Fielding emphasizes publication, which you can design into your flexible program. Numerous Fielding grads have published books and have quite successful OD practices.

As well when you get to a certain point in the program (about half way), Fielding will award you a Master of Arts in Org. Dev. So you end up with a MA in OD and a Ph.D. in HOD. A nice combo for OD'ers.

In Fielding, you will master the art of research - or you won't graduate. You'll have a research consultant on your dissertation team. As well, you will write a lot of papers - which you could publish if you so desire.

I don't consider Fielding DL tho, but a program that uses various learning techniques. A better description is "adult learning model". But I don't think any Ph.D. program should be exclusively DL.

I found the Fielding experience most rewarding, challenging and satisfying - both professionally and personally. It matched my learning objectives, and has opened doors many more doors than I expected.

You've got some great options to choose from. Best wishes in your choice.

 

Here are my reasons:

1. I took one online masters level course from the University.

2. I never opened the textbook.

3. I didn't do any course work.

4. There were no exams.

5. The instructor didn't require that we turn in anything.

6. All I did was "log in" to their classroom website.

7. And I got an "A."

It's a scam and once the regional accreditors find out about it, there will be consequences. Of that I'm sure.

 

The above post in in reference to my personal experience with the University of Phoenix.

 

Wiseone,

In considering your options for masters or doctoral level studies in OD, consider the following questions: Am I research oriented or tend to be more geared towards practical applications? Would I benefit form licensure, such as in psychology, which may augment my credibility
as an organizational Psychologist specializing in OD? What facets of OD do I wish to specialize in such as assessing organizational problems, designing solutions or training programs, team building,etc? Will a DL degree from another country, say England or Australia, meet my goals and needs as well as one from the USA? Etc,etc.

These and a host of other questions may assist you in narrowing down the options avaiable in terms of which program to pursue. Remember, the pusuit of your objectives should start from an internal reflection of relevant issues as noted above as well as others rather than from conducting a search of every available program within the area of OD. After determing your needs, interests and objectives you may be in a better position to find an appropriate fit.

Good luck!

 

Yes, we know Phoenix has cornered the market on easy courses. (NOT!)

As for the NCA getting wise, they've been accrediting Phoenix for more than two decades. Oughta be any day now that they catch on, eh?

While I appreciate your opinion and very limited experience with Phoenix, it is hardly a sufficient basis for others to make their decisions. Nonetheless, you represent one experience and one point of view, and I'm glad you shared it. We could use a lot more. Thanks.

Rich Douglas

 

Each of the schools you're considering must have lists of alums who have gained positions in higher education, similar to the list that Union touts. That's one way of assessing how acceptable a school is to mainstream academics. I'm going to guess that Fielding has the best track record among those schools.

 

Dear Mr. Yamada:
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my inquiry. I took a moment to check out your website, and I noted your work on bullying in the workplace. I was a target of bullying with my last employer. Despite a long history of bullying by two employees, I was the one that left. Since I reported them, I'm hoping the subsequent transfer(within 60 days of my departure) of one and resignation of the other were a result of me. I had, until that point in may career, never experienced anything like that before. It went from bullying by the two of them to mobbing by, what seemed like, the entire group.
Well, again, thank you again for taking the time to reply to my post.

 

Thank you Mr. Douglas for your thoughtful words. I will weigh everything before accepting it blindly.

 

Dear Mr. Foster:
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry. I was leaning toward the Fielding Institute, but I was just not getting enough information about it from the more traditional sources. I was preparing to expand my inquiry to faculty at "brick and mortar" institutions when I read your response. I will still contact alums of Fielding to fill-in the few remaining blanks, but I'm more confident about success at the Fielding Institute. Just to let you know, I work with a colleague who has her DBA from Nova Southeastern Univerity and a colleague who is currently in attendance at Capella. Both have provided opinions on each school respectively, but nothing on the Fielding Institute. Again, thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Dear Simon:
Thank you for your response. I shall give your questions their due consideration.