Online Inexpensive Doctorate Programs - US Based

In correction, after reading the post that I made above, the "I am persuing my ..." got left off the post. Techincally, I do not have a Doctorate as of yet. Dr. Gina is a nickname that I am called at work by many of the Physicans(I work in a healthcare setting) because I am constantly confused for a Physican.

 

You're assuming that one would be entering with no graduate transfer credit. If you enter NCU with a Master's in the same field as the Doctorate you seek, the cost is more like $20,000 or so.


Bruce

 

Affordability

This is from the NCU website:

Based upon the above snippit, I can afford the NCU program. I am very excited about this opportunity.

 

My friend is interested in NCU, and called them to obtain more info. According to the admissions counselor at NCU, NCU is only state accredited and that Degrees cannot be used outside NM. However, both their website and North Central's regional accrediting office has them as RA approved and accredited. My friend really likes their PsyD program, and would want to get some clarifaction on this info before persuing it. Any suggestions or feedback (or who to call there)?

 

Including schools with short residency requirements greatly enhances your choices. Non-resident, U.S.-based programs number exactly two: Northcentral and Touro University International. But another bunch are short-residency, which expands not only the number of schools, but also the numbers and types of doctoral programs offered.

 

Whoooaaa....make certain your friend has contacted the correct Northcentral University. The RA NCU is based in Arizona and offers the Ph.D., not the Psy.D.

It's a common tactic for degree mills to use a similar (or even the same) name as a legitimate institution in order to fool people. Make 100% sure your friend is in contact with the NCU that is in Prescott, Arizona, not New Mexico.


Bruce

 

Student Aid

If you will need student aid to complete your degree be aware that NCU is ineligible to offer federal loans due to their being a 100% online university. TUI is eligible to offer federal loans as they are a branch campus of Touro College. That can make a big difference in cost and affordability.

 

More info

I am new to the forum and have found it to be very stimulating. I am in the process of looking for a place to do a PhD. What can you tell me about the program at U. of Nebraska referred to here? I want to do something in Higher Ed Admin and if can be related to distance ed that would be a bonus.

thanks

 

Cvetter:

This website should give you all the information you need.

http://plaza.unl.edu/distributed.nsf/pages/doctoral


About Chris' comment, offering federal loans has nothing to do with being 100% online. NCU doesn't offer these loans because they choose not to participate in the program. It is their choice not to participate. Once at school is approved by DOE/CHEA, they can participate in federal loans if they choose regardless of delivery method. (i.e. Charter Oak, etc)

Duff

 

Duff is incorrect

100% online universities are not eligible to participate in federal loan programs. This is not a slam on NCU. I looked hard at their program but their not being eligible to use federal loans hurts their affordability. Currently, there is a DOE test program to allow some programs to offer the aid. If you have contact to a congressman you should express your interest in allowing schools to offer federal aid. I talked to NCU's financial aid officer and they are hoping to be one of the test schools mentioned below.

See excerpt below for Kiplinger

"In most instances, to qualify for federal financial aid your online program must be affiliated with a school that teaches at least half of its classes in person. There are a few exceptions, however. Fifteen colleges, universities and consortia have been selected to participate in a distance-learning test by the Department of Education. In 1998, Congress realized that the Internet had made the old rules too restrictive, so these schools were given relaxed financial aid eligibility standards. Thirty-five new schools will be added to the experiment this year."


http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2001/May/managing/efinaid.html

 

Re: no residency

In part, thanks to John Bear's books and this site, I've done extensive research on DL programs. I have chosen NCU because they offer several options (areas of concentration), are the most affordable outside UNL, and are RA. The reason I did not choose Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln is that they have alot of entry requirements and do expect you to defend the dissertation in person. Their entry requirements seemed to be geared towards younger students.
I teach in California and verified that NCU is accepted as a RA school, so your friend must have called the wrong place.

 

Chris:

I was not defending NCU, I honestly thought that anyone RA could participate in Federal Loans if they chose to do so. Thanks for the update and information!!

About UNL, I think they really push you to come to campus but you are not required to. You can get around it. I spoke with the head of the program and he said that it is possible to never have to come to campus. I think they discourage that though and really want students to have some "in person" experience.

Duff