Hello everyone, I am new to the board and I have really gained some outstanding information from reading the postings. Currently, I am finishing my MBA from Liberty University and considering pursuing a DBA from NCU or a PhD from Regent University. Is there anyone enrolled in these programs and if so, will you please write about your experience and recommendations for these programs. Also, which is best for a career in politics, DBA or PhD? Your thoughts.
Not sure whether U S News rankings are important in your decision-making process, but both NCU and Regent are unranked. Regent is "Universities-Masters" unranked whereas NCU is "specialized, other" unranked. Is this significant? I have no idea but I looked at that myself - maybe others can chime in on that aspect. Public Administration would seem to offer you the "non-profit" specialization needed to be effective in governmental settings however you see yourself developing politically. Just my $.02.
The rankings are not very important, but I would like a school with a good reputation. Politically, my goal is to eventually run for an office.
If you want to hold political office, go to law school. The American voters seem to have a pathological obsession with electing lawyers, which proves they never learn their lesson.
Regents The rankings are not very important, but I would like a school with a good reputation. Well, there's at least something of a connection! In your case, I'd go with Regents. My reason is that I'd avoid proprietary institutions if you have a comparable alternative as I'm concerned that the actions of some of them are tarnishing the reputations of all of them as a group. Politically, my goal is to eventually run for an office. I'm not sure a doctorate helps one be a competitive policial candidate in the U.S. Americans seem to prefer their politicians to be folksy rather than intellectual. Look at Bush vs. Kerry. Besides, you mention Liberty University. If that suggests you might run as a conservative Christian candidate, you can play up Regents being a Christian institution. -=Steve=-
Association by default If you want to use a doctoral degree to help you win a political office, then the fact that Regents University is an offshoot of Pat Robertson's 700 Club may be something to consider (Robertson created Regents University in 1977). If your electoral demographics consist of evangelicals, then having a degree from Pat Robertson's creation may help you. Conversely, if you're in a secular area, then it may hurt you.
Then don't go to Regent. Right or wrong, some people are going to use it against you. In the most recent election in Virginia, one politician was attacked for graduating from "Pat Robertson's university." And you've already been to "Jerry Fallwell's university." Getting a doctorate isn't a great path to politics. All the politicians I know about with doctorates (like Woodrow Wilson, Phil Gramm, and Newt Gingrich) have played down the fact. And look at the current resident of the White House. He uses the "aw shucks" persona and downplays that he graduated from two Ivy League schools (and prepped at a feeder school). People don't elect candidates they think are smarter than they are. (But you can't end up being too dumb or the electorate will turn on you, as we are currently seeing.) Lawyers seem to be the exception, as Bruce noted.
