New Jersey City University-DSc in Civil Security

I am considering NJCU's Doctor of Science in Civil Security program. Any information from those who have personal knowledge of the program would be appreciated. I understand from the website that it is very selective and a fairly new program that allows 30-35 students each July. Any information would be appreciated.

 

NJCU DSc

I attended their open house last week, and was not impressed by the faculty member present there. In fact, I am not sure he understood how the program works, and there is a lot of vagueness present when I talk to various people in the program. May be it's just a personal opinion due to how I was treated at the open house, but I think you are better off waiting for them to sort out the kinks and may be hire new professors in the program. I think they especially need more visibility in the Information/Cyber Security field, and they should recruit experts in that field.

If I was impressed with the open house, I would have invited many IA experts to the program. Unfortunately, the experience was very underwhelming. May be they only wants cops in their program.

 

After some quick research in the forum, I found several other programs that specialize in Cyber Security, such as Dakota State, Capitol College, Capella, NCU and NSU. There are Ed D. programs available if you want to pursue teaching. I will postpone my entry to the program at a later date until the program gets more visibility. I will take the California Bar exam instead to fill my learning appetite for the cyber law.

 

Greetings DHS320,

I cannot speak for the school but I can speak for myself. I’m a student in NJCU’s Doctor of Science (DSc) program in Civil Security Leadership, Management, and Policy (CSLMP). I’m now in my 2nd year, having completed over half the program, and soon entering the dissertation stage. Specifically, I’m part of the third learning cohort for this new program, and, while no new program is without its challenges this program is by far the model standard for the civil security field. I have read the other comments here and I truly hope you’re not deterred by misinformed reviewers such as user ‘NJIT.’

User NJIT
I did not attend the open house event that this user refers to, so, I cannot speak to such specifics, but, I can dispel any misconceptions offered about the program. Frankly, this individual didn’t really answer your question nor did he/she offer any available information based on research to help guide you to make a proper well informed decision about your academic interests. I will do what I can.

The Program
Yes, this program is highly selective. It’s NJCU’s Doctor of Science (DSc) program in Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy (e.g. “National Security Studies”), which is just a notch above a PhD—even though a PhD is terminal—because most people need a PhD before receiving a DSc (internationally it’s more highly coveted, not so much here in the States). The point is that with this degree you qualify as any other PhD recipient would (e.g. you have a terminal degree) so you can work in academia and be eligible to apply and receive grant funding as a primary researcher would by such agencies as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other similar organizations that require a terminal research degree. This is an executive doctorate so you can apply and enter with a Master degree. Courses are taught in a blended format which include required on campus residences. As someone who works in and lives near Washington, DC, I’ve found the requirement to be minimally taxing on my commute and attendance time.

Accreditation
For this program, NJCU holds regional accreditation which is the highest form of accreditation you can receive in the United States for non-legal and non-medial academic programs. This is important if you wish to apply and be eligible for academic and research positions at most universities. Many of the schools User NJIT offered do not fall into this category.

Coursework
NJCU’s doctoral program is focused on Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy. User NJIT seems to think that this is solely an Information/Cyber Security focused degree. While NJCU does offer such cyber security concentrated degrees at the bachelor and master levels, this is not that. This doctoral degree is meant to prepare you as a research-practitioner to conduct independent research in your field of civil security. Granted, there is a synthesis of National Security (Homeland Security and Intelligence), Corporate Security, and Information Assurance/Cyber Security at the heart of this program, but it’s more than that. For example, as executives, we are introduced to current issues in the theoretical context that effects civil security (e.g. resiliency constructs), offered advanced insights into data analysis and research methodology (e.g. quantitative and qualitative analysis), an in depth look into emergency management & operations, explorations in communication theory (including training in public relations), and an advanced insight into policy & budget development & implementation. So, you can see how this degree prepares executives in the civil security field in a way more than a solely focused information security degree would. The responsibility is on the student to take this knowledge and craft a working research topic. Faculty are eager to help students with these topics including those who might wish pursue policy issues in cyber security; in fact, some of my cohorts are looking at issues in cybersecurity. We happen to discuss National, Corporate and Information Assurance/Cyber Security all the time, especially in the policy driven portions of our curriculum, and, User NJIT’s failure to even look at the program website might have caused him/her to miss an otherwise great opportunity.

The Students
Most of my fellow cohorts are high ranking folks in various agencies; many federal and state agencies are represented, even a select few from the private sector too. We are not all “cops” as User NJIT would like you to think, and, for those who are they have a great deal of leadership expertise that compliments the program nicely.

The Faculty
Faculty members are true experts in various related civil security disciplines. Most have decades of experience in government and private sector agencies and such backgrounds are complimented with an in depth vitae of current research publications. Whatever your topic area, you’re guaranteed to find at least one faculty mentor to assist you with your subject matter and develop your research questions. For me, I’ve been constantly inspired by the current research of one faculty member in particular and I’m always amazed at how much research opportunities exist in this program as compared to other doctoral programs.

My Recommendation
I highly recommend this program. I’ve been a PhD student before, and, I’ve also been to law school. Without fail, there is a higher degree of motivation and enthusiasm among the faculty of this program as compared to others, and respect for the student is very evident at NJCU. Consider, as where other schools call their dissertation committee lead “the chair,” here, they call him/her your “mentor.” It’s no Ivy League degree, but it feels like one because it’s quite challenging and rewarding and geared towards research-practitioners. If you want to know more, department and program details are found here: Professional Security Studies.

I hope to see you on campus! Yours truly,
Ryan Kelly

 

I am thinking about applying to JCU for a DSc in Civil Security. I currently have a Master's Degree in a related field with a 3.8 GPA. I also have 5 years experience working in a criminal justice field. On their website it says they only admit 15-20 per year now. How hard is it to get into their program? If you don't mind me asking,cust0s or anyone who has been admitted for JCU DSc, what where your grades like/ work experience?

 

I'm not part of the admissions committee, but I did get in. Feel free to private message me, and I can share my background with you. My advice: apply, or you'll never know! That said, it sounds like you have the background and grades. Did you take the GRE or any other graduate entrance exam?

 

I can no longer recommend this program. A lot has changed. DM me if you want to know more.