Denied adminssion by DSU for Dr of Science

Got the decision today, a little shocked. I thought I would get in for sure, but oh well, time to lot for a different program. Applied to Capital College as well, so maybe that will work out. I guess an MS with 4.0 GPA from Tier 1 college isn't good enough for DSU, which is kinda funny, because they aren't even a Tier 2 school. Honestly, I believe there is a little age discrimination involved, since i finished BS in 1993, but no way to prove it.

 

Have you tried Nova Southeastern University or Columbia University. Did they give you the reason why of denial? Because of your lacking experience in the area, or because of letter of recommendations. I don't think they discriminate against age.

 

I got the rejection letter today also with a 3.93 BS and a 3.8 MS. I am a Capitol MS alum and I have thought about Capitol for a D.Sc. but I have hesitations to do IA because I feel it maybe too narrow of a subject area for teaching later in life.

I have been very surprised on how hard it is to find schools that offer affordable (read not 60k) Ph.D./D.Sc. in IS or IT.

 

That's surprising that both of you got denied with those grades...it makes you wonder what their criteria is. It probably just comes down to having a very limited amount of spots, not that you guys aren't qualified. Did you guys take the GRE as well? It could help boost your chances even if it's not required...a Computer Science Subject Test would boost your chances even more if your undergrad was in CS.

 

Sorry to hear you've been denied admission into the DSc in IS program. I was denied admission also in 2010, and even though they told me they lack enough professors to supervise research as the reason for the denial, I think mine had to do with my MS in IT Management degree which is from an online-only school - TUI (now Trident) University (a 4.0 GPA didn't make a difference). Did you submit GRE scores as part of you application? GRE was optional when I applied; interestingly, immediately after I received my denial letter, they posted on their website that GRE is a requirement. Nova Southeastern is probably eaeir to get in, but you have to pay atleast $64k to attend.

 

Please pardon my ignorance but which school is DSU? I tried searching for it but several options came up...

Hopefully, you will get into another program. Just don't give up!

JFO

 

To jfosj: Dakota State University

To others, I'm sorry to hear that you received a rejection. If you don't mind humoring me, I have a question or two.

1. Did your masters programs include a thesis or were they coursework only?
2. Were your masters programs related to the DSc. curriculum or were they related fields?
3. Were your masters programs online only and how did you do on the GRE?

I'm asking these because I've come to my own opinions about what certain programs are looking for and some opinions about what some masters programs are good for.

Thanks,
ITJD

 

Dakota State University (DSU) – Madison, South Dakota …

 

Dakota State University.

 

Sorry to hear the disappointing news. I also wonder why there is shortage of "real" IT or IS doctoral degree that is affordable and offered by a "real" school considering the demand for such degree. If I ever get to starting my own university, filling the demand for a true "next generation" IT education would be one motivating factor. My opinion about this shortage is the fact that many school administrators who make the decision as to which degree should be offered have no interest in offering degrees in areas they care less about. That's why we see all these "IT is a business function" argument, as well as the proliferation of business and management doctoral degrees with "half baked" IT concentrations. I'm sorry to say this, but doctoral business degrees have "zero value" for those of us interested in highly technical degree programs.

By the way, have you looked at the PhD programs in IS and Computer Science from the University of South Africa (Unisa)? Considering that their program will cost of less than $3k per year (the programs are 2 years but you can take longer), it may indeed be a better investment. In addition to a Unisa PhD in IS or Computer Science, another strategy to boost your CV would be to acquire one or two additional master degrees utilizing the tuition money that is left obver from not pursuing an expensive doctoral degree from an american university.

 

1. Course work only (Capitol College Masters in Network Security now IA)
2. Related maybe. If you look at the curriculum at DSU, it appears their program is start to revolve around security in the elective area with an entire section of their core related to network security.
3. Yes, the coursework was all online and I did not take the GRE because of my GPA.

I could understand the no thesis aspect of a Masters degree being part of their decision but if they do not require a GRE and the coursework for DSU is all online, then neither of those should play a factor. As a matter of a fact, I think if you are applying for an online program and you have successfully completed an online program then that should maybe even work in your favor.

That is obviously just my opinion though and I am of course bias. :biggrin:

 

Charles Sturt University: Doctor of Information Technology

Course overview | Doctor of Information Technology | Postgraduate | Courses | Charles Sturt University

 

You've highlighted what most who pursue bachelor and/or master degrees from online-only schools do not quite foresee. While not usually mentioned, attempting to use such degrees (BS and/or MS) from online-only schools as a basis for doctoral program admission are often met with denial, which forces the degree holder to continue on at other online-only schools. My conclusion is that if one must get a degree from an online-only school, make sure it's at the doctoral level. If they must get a bachelor or master degree from an online only school, be ready to face rejection if they want to terminate their studies at a traditional B & M school because, yes, B & M schools discriminate (silently) against degrees from online-only schools.

 

Cyber,

While I do agree, I would really think that a school offering distance learning should obviously not discriminate against it. While my coursework was online, they do have a B&M foundation. Also, what is the deal with Unisa? I don't understand how non-US schools work as far as accreditation. Is Unisa inline with UoP or more inline with a Nova/DSU? Also, how does academia look at Unisa? Would it be possible to be at least adjunct with a degree from there?

Thanks in advance!

 

Here’s some views /opinions re your UNISA concerns /questions…
http://www.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/30338-unisa-phd.html

 

Excellent. Thank you!

 

I'll try to answer all the questions. My MS is in information systems with a concentration on information security, it is from a B&M RA school, East Carolina University. It did not require a thesis, course work and comp exam. My BS is in Mechanical Engineering from a ABET, RA, B&M school, Clarkson Univeristy , and I also have a Graduate Certificate from National Defense University in Information Assurance(RA, B&M). I have been working in information security, computer crime/forensics for 13 years with the Federal Government. I have been published before and been the keynote speaker a IT professors conference. I also work as adjunct at a Medical School (USUHS) and the Army War College (Army Reservist).

The denial letter didn't say anything, other than more qualified applicants than spots available. I got letters of recommendation from a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Michigan State University, and my former supervisor. I did not submit GREs, probably should have in hind sight, but I went the extra step to call the graduate admissions office because my BS is over 15 years ago and they said don't bother, it isn't required. I took the GRE over 5 years ago, so those scores weren't good, but I did score 580 verbal and 720 quantitative. I am very frustrated because I was looking forward to the work and heard good things about DSU. I sent the Dean an email message and asked if the University keep statistics about who was accpeted and what their qualifications were, I will let you know what he says.

Thanks for all the responses, I'll probably just go to Gerogetown next year for a free Masters degree through work.

 

I certainly agree with your position; it only makes sense for a school offering degrees online to accept degrees or credits earned that way. Sadly the politics of education and of making money does not make stuff to work that way. For example, isn't it surprising to hear that some DETC accredited schools do not even recognize or accept holders of degrees with the same accreditation for teaching positions? Stuff like that just makes you wonder.....

Anyway, regarding Unisa, you probably should talk to Tireman 44444 (Michael) regarding the specifics because he currently studies at Unisa, and can probably provide accurate information. I will, however, provide some of what I know (from this forum) about Unisa:

-Unisa's accreditation is equivalent to U.S RA accreditation, and it is an online school
-tuition is charged yearly in the $2k range
-requires a research/thesis master degree or one with substantial research component
-graduates of Unisa PhD who teach were already teaching with their master degree
-if you want to teach, try to do that with your master degree (there are many teaching jobs that require only masters), and then adding a PhD from Unisa will boost your CV/Resume - with teaching experience and a PhD from Unisa, you'll have more teaching opportunities.
-if you use your masters degree to teach face-to-face at a community, teaching at a University with a PhD earned from Unisa becomes a non-issue.
-you can earned a PhD from Unisa, and the use that to enter another doctoral program in the U.S., where you can easily secure a teaching position in than school because of you're already qualified
-If interested in applying at Unisa, using the service provided by the International Academic Correspondence, Inc. streamlines the whole process making it easy and less cumbersome.

Like I said, talk to Tireman 44444, browse this "Unisa" search result; here's another Unisa post (similar post show up in the search link), in addition the the one posted by Major56.

 

You are a perfect candidate for Capitol's DSc in Information Assurance. Also, if money is not an issue (ie is your work pays for it), have you considered Nova's programs? What about University of Colorado's PhD in Telecommunications, which is new and allows distance learning for some coursework?