Transfer alternatives for a PhD Candidate?

**mkmarin** · 12-05-2010 09:50 AM

After five years at Northcentral university (NCU) and having completed the comprehensive examination (and so getting the PhD candidacy letter), I’m ready to leave NCU. The reason is simple; over the past five years I have seen NCU transform itself into a money sucking machine to the disregard of their students. Cost and time have gone up and customer service has gone down. The newly announced 2011 changes are really too much for me, and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Every new communication from NCU increases the time and cost of the degree, and the lack of response from its mentors and administrators do the same. At the current rate, I can see myself spending two to three more years in the dissertation series. The fact that you cannot calculate the duration and plan your dissertation is killing me.

The real question is what transfer options a PhD candidate has? I’m looking into a doctoral or PhD program on Business Administration , IT, or computer science (my current NCU degree plan is on Business Administration with emphasis on Applied Computer Science ).

I have listed the following universities: TUI, Argosy , Walden, Capella , Nova Southeastern , and University of Phoenix . But it is not easy to find out their transfer policies, and I’m trying to avoid a bunch of unsolicited calls from those schools. Ideally I shortlist two or three of them based on their transfer policy and then get in contact with them.

Any help/suggestions/comments will be appreciated.

**Kizmet** · 12-05-2010 11:42 AM

Any of them will accept some credits. All of them will disappoint you. You can bail from NCU if you want but it will almost be like starting from scratch (9 or 12 credits). Others may say differently but in the end you're going to have to call those other schools so you may as well just do it.

**SurfDoctor** · 12-05-2010 01:16 PM

I agree. You are so far into it that you are not going to be able to transfer more than a small percentage of your units. Like Kizmet says, you really will be almost starting from scratch. Most universities will only accept 12 units in transfer, Liberty has accepted 15 units into my doctoral program. I have heard that Excelsior is more liberal with transfer units, maybe there is some hope there, I don't know much more than hearsay on that one.

I'm glad I bailed out of NCU when I did. Sorry for your troubles.

**Randell1234** · 12-05-2010 01:31 PM

I can understand your concern and pain. At some point I would say you should just stick it out. The trick is to find a way to do it right the first time. I used an editor and stats person to help me in the end and it made a world of difference. I can not speak for the other schools since I did not attend them but I would say they all will have some issues to deal with. It comes down to working with "the devil you know or the devil you don't".

At this point I would not recommend NCU to anyone starting out but I would not recommend bailing out if you are this far into the process.

As an option, you can check out Grenoble. I heard they have an ABD program but could not find any information on it.

**SurfDoctor** · 12-05-2010 01:36 PM

Here's another thought. What about the research only doctorates they offer in the UK? Those don't require classes so you could probably step right into one of those. Maybe another member who knows more about UK degrees give us some more info on those.

**TEKMAN** · 12-05-2010 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by mkmarin

After five years at Northcentral university (NCU) and having completed the comprehensive examination (and so getting the PhD candidacy letter), I’m ready to leave NCU. The reason is simple; over the past five years I have seen NCU transform itself into a money sucking machine to the disregard of their students. Cost and time have gone up and customer service has gone down. The newly announced 2011 changes are really too much for me, and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Every new communication from NCU increases the time and cost of the degree, and the lack of response from its mentors and administrators do the same. At the current rate, I can see myself spending two to three more years in the dissertation series. The fact that you cannot calculate the duration and plan your dissertation is killing me.

The real question is what transfer options a PhD candidate has? I’m looking into a doctoral or PhD program on Business Administration , IT, or computer science (my current NCU degree plan is on Business Administration with emphasis on Applied Computer Science ).

I have listed the following universities: TUI, Argosy , Walden, Capella , Nova Southeastern , and University of Phoenix . But it is not easy to find out their transfer policies, and I’m trying to avoid a bunch of unsolicited calls from those schools. Ideally I shortlist two or three of them based on their transfer policy and then get in contact with them.

Any help/suggestions/comments will be appreciated.

I totally agree with other replies. It is kinda too late to back out, but if you see NCU path is not for you anymore. I would recommend you Capella University 's Ph.D in Business Administration (120 quarter credits) (up to 48 quarter credits/ 32 semester credits can be transferred). The transfers require at least "B" and above from graduate course works (ie Master level and above). Which leaves you 72 quarter credits to go; and if you go for full-time you can complete 48 quarter credits per year. Therefore, you can complete within 2 years.

Another option is Lancaster University (Lancaster, United Kingdom) Ph.D in Management with many concentrations, but distance learning requires 4 years to complete. Hence, you might want to negotiate with them since you almost done with your degree. Their program is simple, you learn many research method seminars. There is no compressive exam, only 80,000 words dissertation and oral exam (defense your dissertation). Distance learning students are required to travel to Lancaster,UK 3 times per year. The length of staying in Lancaster depends on your discussion with the supervisor.

I plan to take Lancaster University as plan B if Capella University cannot help me to receive housing allowance from the VA; while working on a second Master degree at Georgetown University.

**Ted Heiks** · 12-06-2010 06:19 AM

Have you ever thought of doing a dissertation-only PhD from South Africa?

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**Cyber** · 12-06-2010 08:20 AM

Trying to leave one for-profit internet school to another for-profit internet school will do nothing other than suck more money from you. It'll be like jumping from frying pan to fire. They all are expensive, and because they all care more about your money, they can only accept limited transfer credit. TUI accepts only one course for transfer, and their dissertation may end up even costing you tons of cash depending on what happens in the dissertation phase. Capella and Walden do accept more credits (Capella PhD in IT accepts up to 48), however, the remaining credits will cost you a fortune. Nova Southeastern accepts no credit transfers (they don't play).

Your best option is to complete your program at NCU as fast as you can, to avoid the next set of tuition raises which will come again in 2011 (remember the for-profit model is such that they have to turn in profits yearly, and those profits must be higher than previous years?).

Your second option is to apply and receive an MBA degree from NCU based on completed coursework, and then pursue a PhD in Information Systems or PhD in Computer Science by research only through the University of South Africa. Again, if you use financial aid, the South Africa path may not be an option except maybe you attend a cheap master's to collect financial aid, and then use your refunds to fund the South Africa path. Good luck with deciding...

**truckie270** · 12-06-2010 08:25 AM

I tranferred to Valdosta where they only accepted 6 semester hours from NCU. I did get an MBA from NCU, so I do not feel like I totally wasted the 18 credits above what transferred.

**Cyber** · 12-06-2010 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by truckie270

I tranferred to Valdosta where they only accepted 6 semester hours from NCU. I did get an MBA from NCU, so I do not feel like I totally wasted the 18 credits above what transferred.

An MBA that is hidden from your academic profile? I noticed you proudly display your degrees from B & M schools in your signature line. Could it be something is wrong with an MBA from NCU? It seems more and more folks are hiding their online degrees (I'm guilty of that too). I consider my online degree a 9k mistake (yes, it cost me only 9k - thank God!!!).

**truckie270** · 12-06-2010 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Cyber

An MBA that is hidden from your academic profile? I noticed you proudly display your degrees from B & M schools in your signature line. Could it be something is wrong with an MBA from NCU? It seems more and more folks are hiding their online degrees (I'm guilty of that too). I consider my online degree a 9k mistake (yes, it cost me only 9k - thank God!!!).

Yes - I do not list my NCU MBA on my sig. line and have removed it from my resume as well. I do not feel like my NCU MBA is a true MBA since the majority of my courses were in Homeland Security . If I need a resume specifically geared towards Homeland Security , I will include it.

Last year, I was eliminated for consideration for a faculty job in homeland security and was given the reason that the title of my degree was questionable when compared to other candidates with MS or MA degrees in Homeland Security . They told me the "MBA " title was "odd" for the subject.

Fortunately, my only out-of-pocket costs for the degree were for books.

**SurfDoctor** · 12-06-2010 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by truckie270

Yes - I do not list my NCU MBA on my sig. line and have removed it from my resume as well. I do not feel like my NCU MBA is a true MBA since the majority of my courses were in Homeland Security . If I need a resume specifically geared towards Homeland Security , I will include it.

Last year, I was eliminated for consideration for a faculty job in homeland security and was given the reason that the title of my degree was questionable when compared to other candidates with MS or MA degrees in Homeland Security . They told me the "MBA " title was "odd" for the subject.

Fortunately, my only out-of-pocket costs for the degree were for books.

Interesting. Do you think the issue was the fact that it was from NCU as well? Or, was it just the odd content match?

**Maniac Craniac** · 12-06-2010 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by truckie270

Last year, I was eliminated for consideration for a faculty job in homeland security and was given the reason that the title of my degree was questionable when compared to other candidates with MS or MA degrees in Homeland Security. They told me the "MBA" title was "odd" for the subject.

This is curious. I thought that for teaching positions the courses you took, and thesis, if one, were much more important than the name of the degree

**Cyber** · 12-06-2010 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Maniac Craniac

This is curious. I thought that for teaching positions the courses you took, and thesis, if one, were much more important than the name of the degree

For teaching online at internet-schools? Sure, a degree name is not much of a factor. But to teach at traditional B & M schools, your degree must not be questionable at all. Showing someone an MBA degree with no business courses will attract more questions than you think, a red flag that attracts much detailed assessment of the schools your attended. Unfortunately, NCU business programs are setup with very limited business courses - stuff that makes folks to carelessly throw around the word "degree mills." By the way, did you know an accredited program can have a degree mill reputation (NCU is not a degree mill)? At the pace that many of these schools are going after your money only, and doing nothing about their program quality, reputations will continue to suffer. The best thing at this point is to just stay away from these money suckers.

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**edowave** · 12-06-2010 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by mkmarin

After five years at Northcentral university (NCU) and having completed the comprehensive examination ...

If you transfer, you would most likely have to take your comps all over again at the other university (unless they just don't have any at all, like at some foreign schools.) I think your best option would be to stick with NCU and get done ASAP.

**Shawn Ambrose** · 12-06-2010 05:36 PM

I agree with the consensus on the board. Capella raised tuition annually as well, and then while I was in the dissertation phase, begun to phase out the reduced tuition for advanced doctoral learners.

I would crank out the dissertation as fast as possible. Here's some advice:

1. Look at the last 3 - 5 dissertations from your chair and use them as your template.

2. Stay away from any mixed methods. As my outside reader reminded me - the best dissertation is a done dissertation.

3. Look at related dissertations and your coursework to build your literature review.

Good luck!

Shawn

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