Northcentral University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Steve King, May 1, 2002.

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  1. Steve King

    Steve King Member

  2. DWCox

    DWCox member

    I was once enrolled in the I/O Psychology doctoral program at Northcentral University. The fact that I am no longer has nothing to do with the quality of the institution. My situation is this, within the past three years I started a disability management practice -- DISABILITY SOLUTIONS -- and have added to beautiful boys to my family. Due to my, sometimes overwhelming, schedule and family obligations I wasn't able to meet all the deadlines associated with my one and only NCU course, Psychopathology, which I forced me to withdraw. The day I made my withdraw official was quite a sad day for me. You see with two M.S. degrees in human service related fields, NCU awarded me the maximum amount of transfer hours, which meant all I'd have to do would be six courses and the dissertation, all at a great tuition of only $120 per semester hour.

    I still have my course outline and assignment sheet, which I'll share with you if you desire seeing an actual course. Please provide your email address and I'll forward you copies of both.

    In short, NCU (IMHO) is an excellent institution who will gain RA within the next year.

    Regards, Wes

    B.S. Univ. of Florida, 1987
    M.S. Univ. of Tennessee, 1989
    M.S. Univ. of Tennessee, 1992
    Psy.D. student, CalCoast Univ.
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Wes,

    Why did you switch to California Coast for your doctorate when both are inexpensive and DL?

    North

     
  4. DWCox

    DWCox member

    Because, the course, Psychopathology (as with all NCU courses) was stacked with assignments, like 20 or so. It wasn't the assignments but rather the attached deadlines. 20 assignments divided by a 15 week semester and you have what amounts to one assignment due every 5 days. With a thriving disability management practice, a toddler, an infant, and a wife who still wants to see her husband (at least every once in a while) I just couldn't keep up. Due to my family and professional obligations I sometimes needed to refrain from studying for a week or two at a time. CalCoast operates off the open-ended format so when I land a new customer or my wife becomes attention deprived, I need not worry about studying. Being self-employed I do not need an accredited degree per se. The fact that the State of CA maintains the BPPVE is enough QA for me and my professional needs. Like I told another poster sometime back, I'll complete 16 courses at CCU and gain a CA Approved doctoral degree (which I'll use for professional reasons) and later in life (I'm 38 y/o) I'll complete my writing/research assignment via UNISA and gain another doctoral degree which I'll use to move into teaching at the college level.

    At this time in my life, CCU is my only option.

    Regards, Wes
     
  5. simon

    simon New Member

    I can empathize with your situation. Business and family responsibilities can interfere with other prioriities. Obviously you made a decision to change programs based on your priorities.

    I believe that you mentioned that you have a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or some other area of counseling. Correct me if I am on the wrong track.

    If so, my only concern is that according to the Codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association and related organizations including certain state licensing boards, one can only advertise their highest degree if it is from a regionally accredited program. This clause is noted as a fact not a choice.

    This criteria was the critical factor in my decision to attend a regionally accredited doctoral program. Otherwise I would not be able to advertise myself as "doctor"thereby placing significant restrictions on the value and utilization of the degree.
     
  6. Steve King

    Steve King Member

    Laws on using the title "Doctor"

    Simon, you raise an interesting point that is similar to my own dilemma. While you’re talking about a Code of Conduct, I am concerned about my state’s regulations regarding the used of the word or abbreviation “Doctor” or “Dr.”. I am deciding to apply to one of two Ph.D. programs: one in Psychology and the other in Health Sciences. The state requires psychologists to be licensed (no problem there) and requires psychologists to clarify that they have a Ph.D., rather than an M.D. whenever they use the word “Doctor” before their name.

    I understand the intent of the law. They don’t want psychologist to be confused with medical doctors (psychiatrists). But what a pain! Can you imagine having to say, "Hi, I'm Doctor King; but, I'm not a 'real' doctor," at every introduction. There is no such restriction (or even licensure requirements) for other sorts of Ph.D.’s – more specifically, for a Ph.D. in Health Sciences.

    Right now, I’m a consultant. I have no interest in doing clinical psychology, just the applied psychology stuff (organizational psychology, pre-employment testing, etc.). While psychology interests me very much, these kinds of laws are a real disincentive to earn a PhD in psychology.
     
  7. simon

    simon New Member

    Steve, that is a pain in the butt.

    However, if you obtained a doctorate in any area of psychology you can identify yourself, for example as a Clinical or Organizational Psychologist . These titles are prestigious and still carry a significant amount of clout in and of themselves. So although the doctor issue may be an issue It will not negate the strength of your professional position or the public's acceptance.
     
  8. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    (I would add that when I calculated the tuition for NCU's Ph.D. in Psychology, it came out to about $21,000; a lot more expensive than I thought it would be. It's possible that my math was wrong, but I don't think so.)


    Cheers,
     
  9. Howard

    Howard New Member


    So, why don't you just buy one from the American College for $199.00 - for the use you desire it will be just as good.
     
  10. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    It might not be as clear as that. As Bear has noted for years, if someone makes a sale, gains a client, etc., in part due to the degree mill diploma he/she uses, that person could get into legal trouble. Even if, say, a guidance counselor does not require the doctorate to practice, that person is on safer legal ground if the doctorate is earned, rather than purchased.

    While the CCU doctorate probably won't get you third-party payments, it also won't likely get you sued, either, IMHO.
     
  11. simon

    simon New Member

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2002
  12. simon

    simon New Member

     
  13. DWCox

    DWCox member

    I do not perform professional counseling in the traditional -- therapy -- sense; likewise I do not invoice any third party. I do a great deal of consulting work for insurance companies and self-insured employers and invoice my consulting services. Some of my consulting services include advice regarding H.R. issues related to disability and employment, vocational testing, disability (employment impact) analysis for litigated cases including deposition and trial testimony, vocational rehabilitation expert for the social security testimony, medical case management, ergonomics and job modifications.

    However, you brought up an excellent point, I do have several professional certifications related to the field of vocational rehabilitation. I will review the ethical guidelines of each before moving any further forward with my CCU doctoral degree. If, listing my CCU Psy.D. Degree is in any way an ethical violation then I must rethink this program.

    For the time being, I'll continue to carry the torch of the legitimate unaccredited institution with full-educated understanding of the limitations of such a degree -- especially on this NG.

    Regards, Wes
     
  14. simon

    simon New Member

    Hi Wes,

    In addition to the Codes of Ethics of the American Counseling Association, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification, under section D.3, entitled Advertising & Soliciting Clients states that:

    "Rehabilitation counselors will only advertise the highest degree which is in counseling or a closely related field from a college or university that was accredited when the degree was awarded by one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accredtiation".

    Wes, I would also suggest determining from the state licensure board their specific statues or codes of ethics that address this specific issue. At times there may be conflicts between the state codes abd statues and those from professional organizations but obviously if you are licensed, state statues and codes take precedence. In effect, it is always easier to prevent a major problem than to "cure" it.
     
  15. Howard

    Howard New Member

    [
    I do not perform professional counseling in the traditional -- therapy -- sense; likewise I do not invoice any third party. I do a great deal of consulting work for insurance companies and self-insured employers and invoice my consulting services. Some of my consulting services include advice regarding H.R. issues related to disability and employment, vocational testing, disability (employment impact) analysis for litigated cases including deposition and trial testimony, vocational rehabilitation expert for the social security testimony, medical case management, ergonomics and job modifications.





    Maybe you need one of California's famous DL JD's. Just a thought.
     
  16. DWCox

    DWCox member

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Simon, good guess! I am a CRC and I too read the code of ethics, which will force me to withdraw from the CCU Psy.D. program. However, greater than my single situation is the issue that the CRC code of ethics only recognizes degrees from the R.A.'s. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification should recognize any degree, which is accredited by an organization recognized by CHEA. This just goes to show that the Good Ole Boys are trying to keep everyone else out or at least slow down the process. On behalf, of TRACS, DETC, and the others and even GAAP degree holders I'll fight this issue. Unaccredited is one thing but GAAP is another.

    On a closing note, I will consult all organizations which I maintain certifications and possibly transfer to the CCU DBA program. I will keep you posted.

    Regards, Wes
     
  17. simon

    simon New Member

    Wes,

    Prior to giving up on RA programs, consider the following suggestion.

    Contact Dr. Hecht, President of Northcentral U. directly and explain your current situation and the difficulty it poses in completing coursework that requires weekly assignments. Request if it would be possible to complete two comprehensive papers, a midterm and final, in lieu of the 15 weekly assignments you mentioned previously.

    The feedback I have recieved from several students indicates that Dr. Hecht is accessible to students and he may be open to viable alternatives. The fact that you only require six courses and a dissertation is a terrific deal. Although it appears that you prefer a doctorate that does not require a dissertation, NCU faculty will work with you to complete this task.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2002

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