Looking for a DBA / PhD program !

Hello,

I am new to this site and am looking for a doctoral program leading to a DBA and / or PhD (in Business Administration). I just finished up my MBA (at University of Phoenix, on-campus – please don’t laugh, UOP doesn’t seem to be too popular on this site), and would like to find a program that suits my needs.

Some criteria are:
1. Distance learning program (DBA and / or PhD)
2. Some residency o.k. (e.g. a month in the summer)
3. Some program structure and guidance is helpful (e.g. one year of self-paced classes, one year of research and dissertation)
4. Program should have a decent reputation, but does not need to be stellar
5. Program should be low cost
6. Program does not need to be in the U.S. (but if it is in the U.S., I prefer it to be regionally accredited)
7. Program could be in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, or elsewhere
8. A public university in the U.K. would be interesting as I am an E.U. citizen and would get reduced tuition
9. Subject areas of interest for the dissertation are the financial markets, particularly equities and commodities trading.

So far, I’ve looked at some of the west coast non-RA schools (e.g. California Pacific U., CA Coast U., etc.), some schools in the U.K. (e.g. Sheffield U., Bournemouth U., Henley, London Business School), some in Australia and New Zealand (e.g. Charles Sturt U., U. of South Australia, U. of Canterburry, etc.).

Any feedback, suggestions, ideas and guidance are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

DBA etc

Hi Marko,

You deserve a response so here's mine:

First there have have been a number of threads about the various schools.

Some are ver convinced only RA schools are the best
TUI
Argosy
NSU or others

There are others who like me took a more unconventional/risky approach and opted for an off-shore option.

I'm in the CSU DBA program, starting my second year, and it has worked out very well for me.

Others like RFValve is in the USQ program and prefer it. Either are very cost effective, flexible, and internationally accredited programs.

My suggestion is to look hard at them, they are a great alternative.

BAH

Posting in an effort to raise my status to member!

 

BAH,

Please elaborate as to what CSU and USQ stand for. Could you supply links? Thanks.

 

USQ = University of Southern Queensland (Australia) ?

 

Charles Sturt University
University of Southern Queensland

 

Humbug,
thank you for your advice.

It is Charles Sturt University (CSU) that I was looking at seriously (for the DBA program, just like you) the last few days. Perhaps you could elaborate as to why you like it, any problems, the cost, etc. Also, is it 100% non-residency, or will you have to go to Australia (which probably wouldn't be so bad)? Some members apparently had conflicting messages from CSU regarding residency, and ended up not entering the program.

Any members that chose the Southern Queensland University (SQU) over CSU? Why? Your experience with SQU, any problems, the cost, etc. Again, is it 100% non-residency?

Marko



P.S. One respondent on this thread asked what CSU and SQU stand for (and what the links are). This brings up a point. For newbies (like myself), it is often very difficult to figure out what the acronyms used stand for, and what the links are. Perhaps the forum administrators could do the following:
1. Have a thread that is a DICTIONARY of acronyms and terms.
2. Have a thread that is a list of the academic institutions known to this board (including their links), sorted by, e.g., RA, non-RA, international, diploma mills, etc.

 

Here the advantages and disadvantages of the USQ (University of southern queenslad)

Pros:

- It could be completed 100% at distance, but some face to face is recommended by the university
- You could specialize in one of its four specialties
- Respected university in Australia, it is not a top tier but well regarded
- It could be completed in 4 years part time since you have three semesters a year

Cons:

- You need to do proctored exams, if you don’t live close to an examination center then you will be asked to fly to the place
- You don’t have the possibility to switch to on-campus, CSU provides you with this option that could be good if you decide to spend one semester on campus in order to give more credibility to your degree
- The complete program is 24 units; you could have credit for up to 12 units depending on your previous degree but having an MBA doesn’t guarantee you the full credit. Some people here in the forum have complaint of very little credit from the MBA, I got the full 12 units credit but I have two master's degrees.


It terms of usability, I live in Canada and having a degree from an Australian University or a not top tier RA US university won’t make too much of a difference since both would be considered foreign. Some one suggested me to do a postdoctoral research at a top tier university in Canada after finishing my DBA; this could give to it more credibility.

Regards,

 

DBA Cont....

Hi Again Marko,

To amplify on RF's comments. CSU is a step down on the respect ladder but, with with 25, 000 students that are not little either.

As for the program it is 4 years part-time two semesters per year.

I have an MBA and it will take the full four years. Year 1 prep classes such as Research Methods (Make sure you are a bit fresh on your basic statistics) etc.

Year 2 is the Literature Review and developing a dissertation proposal. Years three and four are the dissertation sequence. I have had a dissertation and alternate supervisor from the start. Most all communication is by e-mail, so far. They assign supervisors based on your area of specialization, decared at the start.

I think they do "require" an orientation on campus the first year, but it was waived for me and I had a conference call and some extra study to meet the requirement.

No "proctored exams" either. You are remote and you need to be self motivated and need to hook up locally for library resources in addition to the fine online services.

Cost is great. It will in the end be half or less of any RA degree currently available.

I don't expect to teach at Harvard with it but I already teach and it will give me a bump in pay as well as a credential for the future.

Hope it helps.

BAH

 

The USQ 2002 handbook states it can be done in six years part-time if you don't have an MBA and three years part-time if you have an MBA. The six year plan includes receiving the USQ MBA. Perhaps it is four years part-time if you don't get full MBA credit?

I don't know if it is different for DBA students than it is for BBA students, but USQ claims to take responsibility for finding or making other arrangements for students that don't live within a certain distance of a testing center. I believe that it had to be within two hours travel or they tried to make otehr arrangements. Again, different for DBA students?

Christian
USQ Student

 

Thanks Kajidoro and Humbug,

it seems that CSU would be my preference:
1. No proctored exams.
2. Ability to switch to on-campus.

Also, I just checked the USQ website and could not find a DBA program (MBA only).
Do they have a DBA program?
If so, what is the link?

 

And thanks to RFValve, too
(sorry I forgot to mention your name in the above reply).

 

Here is the four years plan:

Year 1: 4 course units

Year 2: 1 Research Unit and two units of seminars

Year 3: 1 Unit of seminar and two units of dissertation

Year 4: two units of dissertation

I don't know about the two hours policy. But you will need to sit for an exam for sure.

Regards,

 

Hello,


How seriously have you considered Touro University International?


Although they are not super cheap, it apears that they have a good program.


www.tourou.edu

 

USQ Handbook site at:

http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2001/business/courses/doctoral/dba/index.htm

 

Yes, but that's last year's handbook. Here is the current page:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBAD) - DBA.

 

I just got an email from the gradute director and he confirmed that a minimum of 3 years full time is required to finish the program.
"So in answer to your question - the minimum is three year full time from
start to finish.

Regards

Chris"

 

Marko,

Hi. Sorry, I was late to the party.

No need to apologize for getting a UOP MBA. I teach Marketing Management in that program and will say that courses are rigorous and the students are serious. It's 46 semester hours, which makes more comprehensive that quite a few other programs. Others have their own opinion...

If you want to go for the PhD to research and teach business administration, then you should really have a look at Touro University International (http://www.tourou.edu). While there are plenty of programs with the DBA designation, they have one of the better options with the PhD designation. In fact, they have the only regionally-accredited completely online program at this point. Ask for Professor Flaschner, who heads the program.

Cheers,

Dave

 

Marko,

Without any doubt, you want to pursue a program from a reputable b&m school... the more traditional the program, the better.

The Australian programs are excellent alternatives. Someone mentioned that Australia, generally, has a good academic reputation (between the UK and the US). The programs are from public brick and morter universities. The programs are traditional and are very similar to on-campus offerings and, in the case of CS, you can actually transfer to the on-campus program. They can be completed non-residentially and are relatively inexpensive.

Henley and Glasgow are probably more "presitigous" alternatives, although Henley has residency requirements and Glasgow is pricey and does not offer a traditional program.

Touro... you have got to be kidding. Touro is a virtual university... don't let the "branch campus of" thing fool you. Touro College does not grant the degree, provide the curriculum or the faculty... you cannot "transfer" to Touro College because they do not offer the same, or even similar, programs... you will have a degree from Touro University International... an American virtual university. It is regionally accredited (whoop, whoop) but it is not in the same league as these british / australian alternatives and may not be taken seriously.

 

As a result of your research on the subject, which US RA, low-residency PhD program in business administration do you recommend?

 

ACTUALLY, The Middle States Association says that they MAY be taken seriously. They also accredit TUI as a branch campus. What does Virtual University mean? If you go to their building in California, will it just be a hologram? Or, do you mean it is fully online? Isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't the quality of the program itself be in question? I have begun to look at my first class, and so far...I am impressed. TUI uses the most up to date information available.

Is their Osteopathic Medical School also not a branch? You know, Touro College does not grant the degree, provide the curriculum or the faculty... you cannot "transfer" to Touro College because they do not offer the same, or even similar, programs...this is the case with all schools of this nature. OR...is osteopathic medicine just virtual medicine?

TUI is asscociated with a reputable B&M school... IMOHO, if you want a good, rigorous, DL PhD, TUI seems to be a very viable option. Don't let narrow-minded views prevent you from investigating.