Anyone studying from a distance program in Australia?

Just wondering, is anyone doing DL from Aussie? A couple of the EdD programs I've seen in Education look interesting. Just wondering.

 

I am also looking at some EdD programs fm Australia. I must say some of these programs while affordable are from the low-ranking but recognized universities. So. I am a little cautious - will sign up only if I am certain they are well accepted.

 

I agree, I was looking at the EdS. Everyone seems to think it's a waste of time compared to an EdD. I can't afford Capella's $3,000/quarter price tag out of my pocket. I'm not sure what the marketability of a lower tier Aussie schools would be. Anyone have an opinion?

 

If you are looking for an Ed.D. look at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Looks good and the price is much lower than the for profit DL's.

 

I'm not doing the EdD but I'm enrolled in the DBA at USQ. USQ is not a top university but the course work and program is rigorous enough for me. Australian universities have very strong programs and are recognized in any part of the world. The difference between the top university and the lowest is not as high as in the american universities since all are public institutions.

If you are looking for good education then go for it. I don't see the point to go for a Capella degree at that price when you can get the same education for less. As for prestige, a Capella degree is not exactly prestigous either, so I expect an australian degree to perform at least at the same level since most of the australian universities are brick and mortar and not pure virtual universites.

 

I agree with your comments. A degree from Capella or any of those more virtual-oriented universities is not as acceptable than an average brick and mortar university. Although I must say that the program structure of Capella, Touro, Phoenix all look quite rigorous - but at the price they are charging, I rather spent my time fulltime on campus.

By the way, if i want to pursue doctoral studies on knowledge management, do you think the DBA program at USQ would be suitable? Any idea, what is the pass-rate at USQ DBA program and the average time taken to complete the program?

 

the DBA at USQ is a good program but difficult. Many people leave the program, specially when the research part of the program starts. Professors are very demanding when it comes to research. A grade of 40 over 100 or 50 is quite common when you get their feedbacks for your research papers. I believe if you survive the program you can say that you have good research skills.

A realistic time frame is around 4 to 5 years part time. I don't know how rigorous are the PhDs at Capella or Touro, but the DBA at USQ can be a risky option since you might have to take their certificate (consolation prize) if they are not satisfied with your research skills.

 

knowledge management fits into the Information Systems department research area. The passing grade is C that is 55%, however, getting 50% or even less in a research paper is not that difficult so getting a C in some courses can be a challenge. They are changing the program as we speak to make it more research oriented, it seems that the course work was making some people stay in the program for long time before they realized that they were not suitable to do research and leave the DBA with a graduate certificate. The new program starts with research from the first course with the idea to prepare better students.

 

It looks like USQ only offers Masters Degrees, I can't find a thing on EdD's. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

They look quite user friendly and organized, tho!

 

here the EdD

http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/DEDU.html

 

Is there some evidence to support this? Or is this an opinion? It is stated as fact, not opinion, which is why I ask.

And "acceptable" to whom? Colleagues? For licensure? To pursue a higher degree? Employers? If employers, which? Academia? Industry? Government? And what level of degree? Would a bachelor's be more or less acceptable than a master's? A doctorate?

Here's one way to say it: "In my opinion, a ________ degree earned from a virtual university is less acceptable for ________ than a similar degree awarded by a campus-based school because...." Unless there is some research available to say otherwise. If there is, I'd sure like to read it.

(BTW, I happen to agree with the opinion, but that's just my opinion, too.)

 

I haven't seen any paper that talks about this. However, my Colleagues (I work in academia) normally refer to virtual universities as degree factories (meaning that everyone gets his degree). I would expect more bias towards a virtual degree in academia than industry. In my opinion DL is getting acceptance in academia as long as it is from a reputable university. The problem is that in general virtual universities are seen more as a business than real universities, even the accredited ones. Then you have the prices they charge that in my opinion are excesive since costs for DLs are lower than traditional institutions (less FT faculty, no class rooms or libraries).
I honestly don't see the point to pay that much since you are not getting any top tier university degree, but there is always the feeling that an american degree has more acceptance and it is worth to pay the price to asure market acceptability. But my guts tell me that it would be much easier to market a degree from Edith Conwan, USQ, Charles Sturt or any public australian institution than one that everyone has doubts about like from the University of Phoenix.

 

Virtual University

I have to somewhat disagree that the concept and acceptance of a Doctorate from distance learning is not well thought of. For instance as a current college instructor many academic "teachers" not researcher are very interested to get a terminal degree but hesitate. The reasons for the hesitation are the overwhelming influence of research oriented education and the bricks and mortar time commitment. I find that a number of instructors are looking to distance learning as long as the institution is credible. I think the Touro, Union, Walden, and Nova of the world are starting to be more accepted and the individuals coming out of there are teachers and not research bookworms. College and Universities now NEED individuals to teach students and not just hide in their laboratories. I feel the distance learning concept is helping individuals to get the degree to do this.

 

Re: Virtual University

Are Nova and Touro virtual? don't they have brick and mortar campuses? Virtual university is one with no campus, no research facilities, no libraries, few FT faculty (most part time and working from home) and normally is for-profit. For example Cardean, Jones International, Walden and Capella. I don't think those institutions are bad, but I feel they fit more in a training institute definition rather than a university.

If the point of a PhD is to be a teacher and not a researcher, then a master will do it. Why to go for a PhD? just to fill the requirement?

 

Scorpio 198: if the doctor of arts format were more widely offered and better regarded, it would meet the concern you raise.