Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

Re: Re: Re: Re: Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

I think this is correct. I used to think this but then found out that many AACSB schools waive for gpa.

Bing

 

What makes you think this?

Why?

 

Personally, I can never accept any university, online, B&M or otherwise, that grants research doctorates (PhD's, DBA's, etc...) that does not have a research mandate or research facilities. How can a professor supervise a student on the cutting edge of research, if this professor himself is not involved in full-time research? Doctoral research IS cutting-edge research by definition. How can my supervisor advise me what he is not a researcher in the field? And being a part-time, do it yourself researcher does not count in academia... you have to be part of a university, conducting scholarly, peer-reviewed research.

This is an impossbility in Canada. We have schools here that have been working for 50 years trying to build their research capabilities to offer doctorates in SOME disciplines. Admittedly there are some universities that are newly established and funds are available to hire top faculty and staff, great libraries, research centres, etc, and can offer these doctorates after only a few years.

I don't know exactly what these regional accreditors (RA) look for, but obviously research capability is not a criteria when allowing a university to offer PhD's. Right? Since NCU as a university does not conduct research, then research capability is not part of accreditation at doctoral level. Period. How can this be?

 

It really depends, if a supervisor at NCU is a full time researcher at another University then I don't see nothing wrong with having a part time faculty supervising PhD students at a virtual school.

Virtual schools fill the gap that cannot be served by B&M schools. There is a market that requires self improvement without having to give up a full time job and these schools serve that market.

Australian schools are also after this market. In Canada, there are few Australian schools marketing their courses heavily since they are recognized for licensing purposes for professions like teacheing or engineering. They fill the gap that otherwise wouldn't be served by local universities.

 

I think this question can also be viewed from the place of residence of the student. As an american residence, I can see that a PhD from NCU might raise less eye browes just because it would seem a little be odd for an employer to see an Australian degree on a resume when the prospect employee never lived there. For a Canadian resident, I would think that the DBA from Newcastle would be less questioned just because the school in question is a goverment funded school that is the Canadian model of higher education.

As a Canadian resident, I would have a very hard time selling NCU just because it doesn't follow the model that Canadian schools follow of public funded schools with traditional programs. Few employers understand American accreditation and they might think that it is at the same level as many degree mills although it is not. It is hard enough to sell a DL program to add the virtual school factor into it.

 

How can someone be a full-time researcher at another university, be a full-time professor at that university, teach students part-time at NCU and supervise doctoral students at NCU? Very unlikely.

 

Re: Re: Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

Perhaps because Canadians are more "European" than Americans, a more international perspective is normal. My master's supervisor had an Australian bachelor's degree, a British master's degree and a Canadian doctorate. I never even gave it a second thought.

 

Looks like Newcastle comes out ahead here. They beat NCU by only two votes. A virtual dead head amongst voters.

One of the things I consider here now is that Newcastle is a state school while NCU is a private for profit concern. To me, that means Newcastle will be around. Likely NCU will be, too, but it could be sold off to an Argosy, or Walden, or something like that. Anything is possible.

NCU's not getting re-accredited could be a possiblity, too. They come up for accreditation in 2007. Does anyone think there are sufficient issues that this could be problematic for them?

NCU is building their new campus. It will be a 300,000 square foot center on 45 acres in Prescott Valley. That has to take some major cash. How can they build that much cash with the student population they have. A look at CHEA shows their student base. If all were paying grad fees(and all aren't because many get big discounts...such as police/fire...many are bachelor's fold) the revenues would likely be under 1 million. Is that enough to sustain that building project? Something like that could make a company go broke. Are they expanding too quickly?

I look at the DBA from Newcastle and see a course program that looks somewhat dull to me but more strong on the dissertation. I think that Aussie DBA's, unless you are coming from a Sydney or Melbourne, might not be looked at in the strongest light, and it's going DETC, too. Although, I see Monash is a DETCer and it's ranked as a top Australian school.

Both schools have plusses and minuses. Everyone has had great feedback and it's been much appreciated. For me, cost is still not much of a consideration for either program. My time and my future peace of mind is, though.

Thanks again to everyone for participating.


Bing

 

Bing, Where are you on the decision phase? Not to bring up the old forum posting, but simply curious.

 

I signed up for a class from both.

NCU:
I felt that I did enough research on NCU to make a good decision about it. I feel good about NCU's program and the staff. I talked with many graduates, current students, and a number of the administrators there.

Some students had been doctoral students at regular brick and mortars(both current students and PhD grads). They like the way the NCU doctorate is setup and the mentorship system. Two current students commented that they had more contact with their NCU mentors than from their teachers at the brick and mortar programs they were in.

I contacted two tenured profs, at regular brick and mortars, who were NCU PhD grads(a third was a prof in an accredited on-line program). They had great things to say about the school and getting the PhD done. One said that the NCU doctoral classes were as rigorous as in his school's doctorate but that you can get out of it what you put into it.

I have personally experienced the best customer service there. In that area it ranked head and shoulders above other schools I attended. NCU staff were extremely attentive and helpful. I can contrast that to another PhD program, highly ranked brick and mortar, I was briefly in. They throw you to the dogs there and don't help for squat. It's like you are an imposition to them to even just be there(another NCU learner made the same comment about his experience at another school).

Newcastle:
I spoke with many about Newcastle, including students, profs, and profs at other schools. I heard many positive things about the program. The price is right, the program looks well put together, and there is some "prestige" factor associated with the school(at least in Australia). I don't think Americans give a hang about it, though. It's not lower rung in Australia for sure. It's in the middle.

So, I decided to take a class at both to see how it goes. If I can do it I will continue that path. If I find that I cannot do it then I will likely just do the NCU program.

I had a conversation with another professor at a brick and mortar school nearby and he was the one that suggested I could maybe do both programs. He had done an MD/PhD program. He said he was not a genius...just determined.

The NCU program gives me the field of study that interests me most and if I am going to do a doctorate I need that motivation. Also, no other school offers it externally or by distance. I spoke with people at Newcastle and they are going to work with me to hone a thesis to match my interest of study...as they can supervise me in that area.

I figure it like this...I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't hang out with the boys and I don't spend much money. I'm a family guy first. My hobby is learning and studying new things. If that is my hobby I might as well get a degree while I am at it. So, I can attack both for now.

 

Look, I hope I didn't stumble into an NCU hate thread, but I thought I'd put my two cents in.

I chose NCU because I liked the program, and I have no desire to teach in a 4 year traditional research institution. Additionally, I work in proprietary education, and a distance PhD is the next logical progression. Now don't get me wrong I was FURIOUS at NCU for pulling out of title IV funding, because it just looked bad. It din't hurt me because I use VA benefits, but I'm sure it hurt a lot of people.

Also, I was a little naive in my thinking at first. I thought that somehow a DBA or DM is somehow "beneath" a PhD, when in reality they are the same. In retrospect, I may have been more susceptible to going into a DM program at CTU or UMUC, even UoP. But I'm almost done at NCU and I'm finishing it through.

I like NCU, and I like its programs. I would encourage them to go and complete an education there. If you don't want to go, that's fine as well. But don't bad mouth the school--what good does it do? I personally don't like UoP because of issues they've had with the USDE. But I'd never say negative things about them because I want them to succed and get better so that those who go to school there or who have degrees there will have better utility of their degrees and will feel good about themselves.

I think that if someone earns a (accredited) degree or is working towards one, you should encourage them, not say derogatory things about there schools.

Good Luck at either institution.

 

You might want to read up in the thread. I don't think much badmouthing is going on with any school in this thread. The thread has provided some good discussion.

 

Re: Re: Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

Mr. Valve, I know you are currently studying with the USQ and so you have access to first hand knowledge. You mention that Charles Sturt and USQ are members; members of what(it wasn't quite clear to me)? Also, does the USQ hold firm on their plan to apply for AACSB 2006? Do you know whether it will be at the beginning or more to the end of the year?
That's of interest to me because I hope to start my MBA program there this fall.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

Re: Re: Re: Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

Dennis,

Nothing firm yet but they applied for membership already. They seem to be serious about it but no official announcements yet on their web site. I think they stand a good chance as all of their staff is full time and they are pushing a PhD for all of their faculty, the problem with some online schools is that they cannot afford full time staff therefore AACSB is out of the question.

The best is to get a firm answer from them, I asked this to my supervisor and he told me that this was the idea but still working on the details. The announcement will be made soon, but like in the stock market, this will make their programs more valuable and would expect more difficulties in getting in.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Opinions: NCU vs Newcastle

 

NCU

NCU is terrible. Avoid them like the plague. Believe me, I'm a former student, and I'm speaking from experience. They are only in it for the money! The faculty is incompetent, if you have any problems, they will not help you, and if you complain, they kick you out of the program. Good luck.

 

Re: NCU

Manu,

I am a current learner and have yet to experience anything as described. My experience has been positive.

Can you provide some specific examples? What was your program? Who were your mentors? Who kicked you out? Please do tell.

Thanks so much.

 

Re: NCU

I am aking my fourth calss at NCU and everyone has been great. Can you provide more details???

 

NCU

I've been enrolled in NCU since Jan. 2005. So far, my experience has been very good. One mentor did not impress me but she had a doctorate degree and did meet the qualifications for the position. My other instructors have been excellent and are very well qualified.

 

Re: NCU

I am close to finishing my first course with NCU, in the PhD BA program, and have enjoyed my experience so far. My mentor has been extremely helpful to me, is well very qualified in the field, and has the graduate education credentials to teach anywhere. My mentor always answers my questions and sometimes goes above and beyond for me. I have been so pleased with NCU, and this class, that I signed up for another course with them.

Manu, you do not cite support as to why you feel this way. Please provide specific facts.

I have an example of what they will do for you when you complain. I did not get kicked out either. I made a complaint about NCU not being listed in ACE when all of their partners were. They gave me no problems. In fact, they brought it up with the admin and the Director said to apply for it. Within two weeks they were listed as an ACE member. I was thanked by them for bringing it up to them.

I have other examples, too. I found that if you bring something up to NCU, and it makes sense for them to do it, then they will do it. As for mentors...I would suspect that if enough students complained about a mentor then that mentor would be gone. There seem to be too many candidates for them to put up with one that isn't any good.