Online Doctorate with no residency requirements?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cgarretson, Nov 2, 2012.

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  1. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    I'm considering going to Walden University, as they have the abridged program through their psychology department. However, there residency requirement is the only thing that is staying my hand for final confirmation. Sadly I'd be forced into my second choice which would be NorthCentral University. Both reputable, but the latter just more costly. Has anyone found anything in their research that has any masters+ph.d/psy.d programs with no residency requirements? RA is a must, looking for reputable colleges with a mid-grade cost at most.

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. FJD

    FJD Member

  3. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    Duh! I completely overlooked this thanks for the reference FJD!
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Someone who chooses a doctoral program to avoid short residency periods is really missing out. Not only does it narrow your choices to a few just-okay options, you also miss out on fantastic learning experiences and opportunities to connect to a community of scholars that you just don't get from your living room. I've done it both ways and I feel the residencies are a terrific element.
     
  5. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    With a child on the way (in March) and a wedding to plan (May), I will not be able to do the residency requirements. Neither financially nor time-wise. :/
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    We need more information. What is the purpose of the doctorate? Licensing? Teaching? just personal development?
    Many people just want a doctorate because they are available and don't want to miss out but there must be a goal otherwise might not make much sense.
     
  7. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    cgarretson..I work for NCU. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. Sadly, we don't offer a bridge program or a PSY-D. Hopefully it is in our future plans. This is the first time I've heard that Walden is cheaper then NCU? I've heard that their PHD programs are up in the 70-75g's range? I could be mistaken
     
  8. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    Purpose: Personal development; i've always wanted the distinction among my peers,and I currently have the time to pursue it as well see as they are readily available online. Leg up; I figured regardless of the career or even part-time job I seek would give me an edge over someone else in the same position. Career possibilities: working in upper management, teaching in a university setting or even community college. I've always had a passion for instructing others and helping others understand complex ideas that will better them for their future.

    @managerial0500 I've always heard of people complaining of NCU's tuition costs for their doctorate programs in the long run. Not doggin on you or your university, but word of mouth usually from first hand experienced students holds stronger than someone who promotes it for possible profit gain.
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Why don't you check the prices yourself? NCU prices have gone up quite a bit over the past few years but I still think it is cheaper then Walden. Again, do not count on anyone posting info on an internet forum when you can find the answers for yourself from the source.
     
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I travelled up to 80% of the month staying in hotels, residencies were never an option for me either. I went with NCU since it was only one of the two PhDs offered completely online in 2004.
     
  11. DxD=D^2

    DxD=D^2 Member

    Generally speaking, how much is NCU?
     
  12. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    Based on some rough numbers; Walden = 84k for masters+ph.d, NCU = 64k for masters+ph.d This is not based on credit transfers from masters to ph.d and taken at the higher ends of the ranges for credit completion
     
  13. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    I'm not on here to promote my school or anything like that. I just offer any info anyone needs. Yes NCU's doctorate/phd prices are not as competitive in general but when u add in residency costs + NCU not having any technology fees or any other "fees" that most schools have, I think NCU just stands out. Where I think NCU really has a leg up against the other major for profit schools, is our masters program where the MBA is currently at $19k total and the MED is at $15K.
     
  14. managerial0550

    managerial0550 New Member

    What program are you looking for prices on?
     
  15. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I transferred in the max credits and completed my PhD from NCU for about $25K. I guess I got the deal of the year!
     
  16. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Between NCU and Walden, I would chose Walden for few reasons. Walden has a good record of graduates working in Academia. Just google PhD Walden and you will find many graduated working as full time academics. This shows a good acceptability of this degree in the academic setting.

    There are some residency requirements with Walden but this actually gives credibility to your degree as it shows that Walden is interested in making sure that students meet with faculty in order to make sure that you succeed with your education.

    In Psychology, Saybrooke has also good reputation for its distance programs. Check this school too
    Psychology Degrees | Humanistic Education | Saybrook University | Saybrook University
     
  17. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Even short infrequent residencies may be beneficial to one's doctoral program. However, for some learners, even limited residencies are not an option. That said, with the increase in technology over the past decade or two, most potential benefits of the residency can also be accomplished via alternative methods (eg, facetime/skype, e-mail, tele-conferencing, etc). This is especially true in terms of research doctorates.
     
  18. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I think we agree. But I've been posting on this and other boards for more than a decade and this issues arises constantly. From what most posters write, they often shy away from residencies for unfortunate reasons. Sure, there are some people who are both (a) able to do the doctorate (meaning not just that they're academically capable, but that they can also fit it into their lives financially and in terms of work) and (b) absolutely cannot attend residencies. But that is an extremely rare combination. Much more common is the person who doesn't think they want the hassle or expense of residencies. That naive person isn't likely to survive the rigors of doctoral study anyway, with or without residential periods.
     
  19. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    I agree to a point, Rich. Like you, I too have been posting on several of these academic boards since about 2001. I've heard all the arguments related to residencies, both pro and con. That said, there are indeed benefits to a residency component. I don't think many would argue against the fact that a residency (even if only for a few days) is beneficial. In a perfect world, it would perhaps be advantageous for 100% of students to participate in a residency of some type. But alas, this isn't a perfect world. And since it isn't, what I would argue is that in certain disciplines, especially in terms of research degrees, and especially when the student is a mid-career professional, contemporary technology has made it possible (with the one exception of physically reaching out and touching someone) to benefit from what might be called a distance residency. Physically, the student is at a distance; however, via audio/video technology, the student is face-to-face in terms of communication. But again, I speak primarily of research degrees.
     
  20. cgarretson

    cgarretson New Member

    Week long residency requirements are out of the question. I do (will at the time) have a family to take care of. If applicable, skype or online calls I can deal with. I have no problem doing a verbal debate or defense in regards to my dissertation. Weekends would be do-able.

    And i've been researching in just the General Psychology Ph.d areas just to get a rough basis in pricing.
     

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