Anybody know the major differences between these three? All three are regionally accredited and offer Ed.D.'s online and are expensive as hell. After doing a ton of research the last two days, the two that really catch my eye are Regent and Nova. I liked Liberty too, but they don't have the emphasis that I want. So here's a few questions for those that have experience with these schools: 1. I consider myself a libertarian that leans right of middle that goes to church every once in a while but doubt the existence of any god. Would I be way out of place at Regent? I love the set up of their Ed.D. in Ed Psych program, but I wonder (by reading some comments from former students online) if students are walking around praising Jesus and praying all day. I have zero problem with religion, but I'm not sure if I can handle religion being integrated into every subject, it may get old after a while. 2. Nova seems like a good program. I like their Instructional Tech emphasis (psych and tech are two Ed.D.'s that I'd consider doing). But I seem to get conflicting evidence on the residency requirement. Regent requires a week every summer, which is doable. The only other negatives I could find about the two programs are that Nova is considered an academic joke by some in academia and that Regent is a far right-wing, christian, neo-con, George W. Bush loving university. Thoughts?
I visited Regent but chose Liberty. I'm in a doctoral program but it isn't in Education. I'd say that Liberty is more "evangelistic" oriented - but that's having most experience with just one of those two options. If you're doing a distance program (I'm not), be sure to factor in the number of times to travel to campus. LU's doctoral programs tend to require more on-campus study than most and with only one airline flying to Lynchburg (US Air 4 times daily to/from Charlotte), tickets would be more expensive than going to Virginia Beach or Fort Lauderdale (I'd assume).
What do you plan to do with your EdD? The answer to that makes a great deal of difference. If you are attempting to teach at a university, I would advise against any and all online programs. While it is not impossible, chances are low for landing a university gig with a doctorate earned online. Most other professions don't have the prejudice against online learning that academia has. I can't speak to the Regent or Nova programs but I'm in the EdD program at Liberty, and I love it. However, as graymatter stated, it is very Christian, so it may not fit with your worldview.
I'm looking at Ed.D.'s for two reasons. One is the prop myself up professionally and climb the ranks of K-12 education. The second would be to have an option to adjunct if the need arose. I don't plan on ever trying to become a full time professor.
Liberty is not expensive. Get an Ed.S. at a state school, transfer 24 of the probably 30 hours in (that is their current policy), and then finish the last 36 at LU. I am not sure exactly how much that is but considerably cheaper than Nova or Regent I suspect.
I just read a few complaints about Nova. It seems that some students complain that overall the program is not too difficult until you get to the dissertation phase. Apparently some students are finding it impossible to work with or contact faculty once your proposal has been rejected. The kicker is that you have to continue to pay $2500 a semester until it's done. So Nova continues to bleed you dry... I looked at Regent and apparently they have the same policy. If you don't finish your dissertation or you are unsuccessful in defending it in your third year, you continue to pay for the dissertation class until you finish. Brutal on the wallet. (Wait, did I just state "brutal on the wallet" as a complaint for having to take additional classes at two universities that already rape you for cash from the onset? I suppose I did...)
They are all about the same. Not that great...not that bad. Not the greatest national reputations. I'd go with the cheapest option that offers what you're looking for and call it a day. These schools are a wash, imo.
LU charges for the dissertation phase as well - 3 terms per year (9 credit hours) to stay active. I should know.
I will probably decide on LU one day for an Ed.D. $250 per credit hour (military) for an RA doctoral program is amazing....
Boise State University: fully online EdD Educational Technology ($379 per credit hour) Ed.D. Educational Technology - Boise State University - Educational Technology
