EdD Northeastern

Discussion in 'Education, Teaching and related degrees' started by AdamJLaw, Oct 4, 2011.

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  1. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    I was accepted today at Northeastern for their EdD in Higher Education Administration program. My question is, before I accept, is how well received is this program? I'd like to move into senior administration. My other thought would be to do a masters in administration and get some work experience and hopefully attend USC's EdD program. While I know that USC is a better program, I don't really want to wait 6 more years before I start. However, if it will be much better for my career I will wait. What do you think.

    Thanks
     
  2. not4profit

    not4profit Active Member

    AdamJLaw,

    Are you basing your thoughts that USC has a better program off the overall college rankings or the general perception you get from people you know regarding the reputation of the two programs? I am not agreeing or disagreeing, just curious.

    I am not sure what part of the country you are in, but in the Northeast, Northeastern is very well respected. However, the EdD in particular is prompting some concern among students because the program is on a rapid expansion program. The program has had so many applicants that it has actually increased its standards while simultaneously quadrupling its acceptance numbers. So, that may be something to consider.

    In my opinion, the only two benefits you would get from USC over Northeastern would be (1) USC alumni who welcome you to the good old boy club and (2) the fact that everyone has heard of USC (and its football team), and Northeastern has more of an East Coast positive reputation. However, if you really would have to wait 6 years to do the EdD at USC, I have no doubt that you should go to Northeastern. I don't think USC's reputation could ever be so much better than Northeastern's that it is worth waiting 6 years... no way.
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I'm in Northeastern's EdD program also, and agree with everything not4profit just said. However, if you're willing even to consider waiting six years, it makes me wonder whether you have the "fire in the belly" it would take to get through any doctoral program. Perhaps if you're unsure it's just as well if you wait?
     
  4. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    I'm willing to wait because I want to make sure that I get into the best program I can and ensure that the school will be the best for my career. I could have gone to Northcentral years ago, but it wouldn't fit into my career goals. The reasons I'd wait six years is because I need four years of higher education administration experience to get in, which I don't have yet. I feel I'd also need a masters in higher education to get me there too. It has nothing to do with desire.
     
  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I’m in agreement in not waiting additional 6-years to begin the USC program over Northeastern University. If I were truly seeking a terminal degree in education, I wouldn’t consider the USC Ed.D. (not even Teachers College-Columbia University) worth that amount of additional wait time.

    Not the Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration; but Northeastern’s Ed.D. in Curriculum Leadership is currently not accepting new applicants. Could the higher Ed program be next?

    “We have suspended new enrollments to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Curriculum Leadership specialization and are no longer accepting applications for admission.”
    Ed.D. Curriculum Leadership | Doctor of Education | Northeastern College of Professional Studies


    University of New England (ME): online EdD in Educational Leadership (New: first intake fall 2012)
    “This is a three-year program. The program (including dissertation) will be completed entirely online with no residency requirement.”
    University of New England - Online Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2011
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Northeastern has an excellent reputation in the Northeast, and in my experience, at least a good reputation nationwide. I agree with Steve Foerster that your willingness to wait 6 years to start a doctoral program might be a tipoff that you're not quite ready to start that journey.

    Just curious; your education credentials kind of seem to be all over the place as far as majors.....what's your eventual goal?
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    No, I think they're just reorganizing their specializations. They've dropped mine (International Higher Ed) also, although fortunately I'll be able to finish it along with the few others who were in it. Actually, I think I remember them saying at the residency this summer that they want to offer a specialization in Community College Administration. So while it's gotten harder to get in as they put the brakes on growth, I don't expect them to stop accepting applications altogether for those specializations that are continuing.

    -=Steve=-
     
  8. major56

    major56 Active Member

    That’s good news Steve. Seemingly, the addition specialization in community college administration would be a practical optional offering for Northeastern. Are you familiar with the University of New England of Maine? I had inadvertently come across this newest online Ed.D. (educational leadership) program.
     
  9. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    Just curious; your education credentials kind of seem to be all over the place as far as majors.....what's your eventual goal?[/QUOTE]

    I was in law enforcement and I did teach special education. I've been teaching college for the last several years and would like to move into administration. I'd only wait to get into a great college that will benefit my future career prospects. USC wants a masters in higher ed and 4 years of admin experience. That would take me six years, but if it helps my career, much more than Northeastern will, I be willing to wait. I have the motivation, afterall, I'm considering getting another masters just to have the ability to go to USC. I am just check to see if it is worth my time. I can't believe that this question is very difficult. We all know that there is a difference between USC and Northcentral, is there much of a difference between Northeastern and USC? Please don't question my motivation, just consider the differences in the colleges.
     
  10. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Honestly? This Northeastern student says yes -- USC is unquestionably better regarded than Northeastern when it comes to graduate programs in education. And if all other things were equal, I'd say USC. But they're not equal; you're talking about waiting six extra years and doing a whole extra Master's degree. USC is better, not nothing is that much better!

    By the way, in asking which would be better for your career, it would help if you outlined your long term career goals. While I doubt it, I suppose it's possible you have some goal that really would be better served by the long, expensive plan.
     
  11. not4profit

    not4profit Active Member

    You may also want to consider the possibility of you not getting accepted to USC after 7 years. I can't imagine knowing that I could have been done with the doctorate 4 years ago, and then being hit with a non-acceptance letter, with encouragement to try again next year. A bird in the hand...
     
  12. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    I agree. That is my fear. Not getting in would be a waste of time. Also, my goal is to be in executive admin. I don't want my degree to limit my opportunities.

    Adam
     
  13. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I was just curious, and knowing your eventual goal might be helpful in regards to offering advice.

    As I mentioned before, Northeastern is very well-regarded in Massachusetts, even with some pretty stiff competition (Harvard, BU, BC, Tufts, etc.). However, it's not in the same category as USC, and isn't as well known outside New England.

    However, a Northeastern Ed.D. is nothing to sneeze at, and I don't think it would significantly hamper you. I also agree with the others that waiting 6 years for the *chance* to be admitted to USC is an awfully big risk. If it were a year, I would say take your chances and wait for USC, but sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot.
     
  14. Charlie1

    Charlie1 New Member

    Hello Everyone! This is my first post but I’ve been a lurker for a good five years. I love this forum as I’ve learned so much about distance education. I’ve decided to “reply” to a post rather than start a new post as I know that it may take days before it goes through. Anyway……I was interested in the Ed.d from Northeastern University and decided to speak to their enrollment counselor for some tips on my application. However, because I have an MBA in Marketing I was told that there was very little chance that I would be accepted to their program because their program is for educators only and those with a Masters degree in education. She suggested that I get my masters in education first and then come back and apply for their Ed.d. I was shocked and a bit taken aback as I felt that their Organizational Leadership and Communication concentration would be perfect for me as I’ve worked in Communication for many years. I also know from this forum that there are some current students who also come from a business background. Any tips?? Should I just forego applying and look elsewhere? I am also interested in the DPA program from Valdosta and may post a message there as well but I am not sure I can handle the residency requirements. I am looking for an affordable program from a brick and mortar university. Thanks in advance.
     
  15. not4profit

    not4profit Active Member

    Charlie1,

    Ironically, counselors told me not to bother applying into NEU's EdD program a few years back as well. I was told to come back once I had three years of online instructor experience. At the time, I had only been an adjunct instructor for two years, and the program requires three years of education related experience. The counselor told me that the four years I spent as a military instructor and military police Field Training Officer did not count toward the three years of required experience. I had already written the purpose statement and my recommendations had been sent, so I decided to just apply anyway, and move on with my life as if I wasn't going to get in. Well, I ended up being accepted and I am now ABD. I will probably be defending my dissertation proposal in February or March. NEU has an excellent program, but it is going through some growing pains because it is rapidly expanding (too rapidly in my opinion). The growing pains are only really associated with the organization of the program, not with the quality of the program. Surprisingly, even though the program is growing rapidly, so many people are applying that they are able to be even more picky than they were before, even though they are accepting two to three times as many new students.

    My Advice: Apply anyway. The counselors don't decide who gets in and who doesn't. I would definitely say though, that you need to have at least three years of experience in an area that you can argue is in the field of education. Maybe you were an adjunct instructor, or you teach classes in your organization for whatever reason. You will need to be able to articulate that experience on your resume/CV AND within your purpose statement. The good thing about education is that it crosses through every field, so there is always a nexus. The question is how you will make your field better as a future leader within it, and how the EdD can help you to do that through an emphasis on education.

    P.S. I don't have any education related degrees either... just a few years of instructor experience. The program WANTS diversity, not just a bunch of community college administrators and high school teachers wanting to get promoted by getting a doctorate.

    P.P.S. You will probably be surprised to read this, but I remember reading a post by someone on here saying that an NEU counselor actually hounded him/her with heavy recruitment tactics like those typically associated with hard-core profit motivated schools. I was surprised to read that post, especially given my experience with NEU counselors telling me to "beat it kid."

    P.P.P.S. I can't speak to the Valdosta DPA, but I know truckie (recent Valdosta DPA grad) has a thread in which he discusses the Valdosta DPA.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 15, 2012
  16. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Of course, USC's reputation is stellar, but I would have no reservations about Northeastern. Northeastern is well respected in academia nationwide.
     
  17. Charlie1

    Charlie1 New Member

    Thank you so much Not4Profit for the advice. I was really disppointed when they told me to "beat it kid" because I was really interested in the program for many reasons. I was going to apply but the application involves too long essays and since I haven't started on either yet am not sure I will go ahead with the application process. I think I am still bruised with the counselors curt comments. I've never taught in any environment unless you consider teaching yoga classes. Actually, my argument for the Organizational Leadership and Communications concentration was that Leadership is not just in the classroom but in every environment. There is a skill needed in teaching a yoga class which includes Communication......Anyway......

    Congrats, on your progress with Northeastern and good luck with defending your Dissertation!!!

    Does anyone have any thoughts on Indiana Tech's Phd program or any other doctoral programs?
     
  18. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    What PhD program are you thinking about at Indiana Tech?
     
  19. Charlie1

    Charlie1 New Member

    I was thinking about Indiana Tech's Phd in Global Leadership. It's seems pretty interesting and I think there are a few members on this board in their program. It's just that I noticed that their tuition goes up twice a year which would be very expensive for me doing it part time.
     
  20. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    Do high school teachers get a promotion simply by completing a PhD?
     

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