Central University of Nicaragua Degree Scheme

I hope not. The research proposal would have the methodology explained, and that would have to be approved prior to conducting it.

A dissertation isn't just a research project. It is a teaching process to demonstrate the candidate's ability to conduct post-graduate research. It is designed to be done under supervision, with significant guidance and correction done along the way.

I just don't see how one can to a dissertation in 4 months if proper educational processes are in use. There simply would not be enough time to accommodate the back-and-forth necessary. The only exception to this would be in a taught program where the dissertation was completed while the student was going through coursework.

 

"That's not writing, that's typing!" -- Truman Capote

 

That was funny!

 

I believe he said he had a research proposal approved (perhaps lit review too)? I get your point though. I imagine that level of supervision doesn't happen if it is the same guy supervising everyone and running administration and whatever else.

 

I am “uneasy” about many of these discussions where we seem to be walking a very fine line between paying for a degree with sub-optimal standards and a legitimate doctorate. I am extremely open to alternative methods of completion of the doctorate but the apparent diminished standards, quality of research and duration of time, are of concern.

 

Well done, Sir! Let's hope UCN provides a quick turnaround, Dr. Coleman!

 

The excerpts from it were hilarious. I can't remember if it was in a religious subject or the like but I've seen some questionable standards when it comes to that subject, still wouldn't be an excuse for what was in that dissertation, imo.

I've read some real stinkers from U.S. schools, too, usually in subjects that are themselves stinkers but I'll refrain from saying which.

 

To answer everyone’s concerns about the dissertation process, I did have to do a research proposal and literature review. My proposal was approved within the first eight months of starting the program. Afterwards, I took a few months break. When I left my last job for the most recent one, I started working on my dissertation by using samples of other dissertations as a template. This made the process a lot easier and I was able to collect data and type up my results and paper in 5 months tops. My current job is remote and while training on the job, I still had lots of downtime to work on my thesis. These programs are autonomous and asynchronous which is why they can be completed so quickly. 80% of my time getting this degree was procrastination on my part and processing on the schools part. Plus, I was exempt from coursework because of my surplus of ECTS credits from both undergraduate and graduate programs.

I recommend these type of degree programs from Azteca/UCN or similar for personal enrichment and profile boost only. Those who need a doctorate should earn one from a local or out of state school for academic positions. Outside of the scope of education, where you get the degree from won’t matter much if it passes the test from a foreign credential evaluator or legitimate source and those who scrutinize this school and degree would likely find another reason to reject anyone from a job.

 

Thank you for the further explanation and the way you non defensively and openly discuss your experience. Again, congratulations!

 

Hey Cacoleman1983,
Thank you for all valuable insights into your journey with UCN.
I'm still considering them as an option but I read on the sister board that Nicaragua shut 5 universities down this year alone already.
How confident are you that UCN will still be around in 2 years from now?
That's what scares me away from enrolling with them; That they may disappear from one day to another.

 

If one's goal was licensure in a regulated field + foreign degree equivalency recognition for promotion in a corporation, how realistic would it be to expect it to happen with a Msc and Ph.D. from AZT + UCN?

 

I would say it depends on the type of licensure and the regulation you are dealing with. Let's say it is to be licensed as a counselor or psychologist. You're going to have to find the state you are intending to become licensed in and see how they treat foreign degrees. Some state laws or regulations will specify who an acceptable credential evaluation can come from. If Azteca/ucn can get a foreign credential evaluation then you have overcome one hurdle. The other hurdle is one you need to do before you begin the program and that is to ensure that the classes you take match the requirements of your particular state. For instance, in something like counseling or psychology they are going to have requirements for an ethics class, psychopathology, testing, and so on. They may also have requirements for a built-in practicum and you will have to ensure that is there.

That is a different case scenario than simply getting some kind of credential evaluation and using the PhD as an additional credential to help you stand out among other applicants for a job.

In academia, I would be surprised to see someone with a PhD from ucn/azteca in a tenure track position.

 

From what I have researched and discussed with the Dean of Azteca, University of Central Nicaragua (UCN) was evaluated with a great score to continue their operations. They may have to change some admissions policies so those who enroll with them later may have a more challenging process and curriculum to earn a degree from them. I'm not really sure if the partnerships and dual awards they have will continue but I do know that UCN is still in good standing and will remain open for the time being.

 

As far as credentialing goes, you should ask your local license/certification boards about it. I believe that international schools could act as a sounding board and give you what you need in those areas if they could because it is possible for a practicum, internship, or continuing education unit to be supervised from anywhere in the world.

I equate the UCN/Azteca PhD degrees in terms of value to be equivalent to the for-profit online universities that you would have to pay 30x+ over to get an equivalent qualification. My PhD will only be used to stand out more on my resume/CV and my most important reason for having it is personal enrichment. If someone were to inquire about my degree, I would have the same sentiment I have shared here. The PhD is about me, not about my potential employer but I would sell it based on how it would benefit the job or what I could add to it based on the degree if they even inquire about it.

Tenure track positions will generally only go to those doctoral degree earners who are willing to spend 4+ years above a Masters in brick-in-mortar traditional programs which I feel I don't have the time to do nor is it really worth it. A majority of us who are pursuing these online degrees will end up using them for adjunct or consultancy work which is pretty much the route I plan on taking. These are icing on the cake degrees but make sure you have the cake first!

 

I just learned something new about Nicaragua, the University shutdowns obviously had nothing to do with educational quality or financial standing of the universities, see this link

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/nicaragua-seizes-private-universities-stifle-dissent-rcna25548

 

Sad situation for the students who can't get their documents to get jobs and the interference with dissent and free speech.

 

What degrees will you receive exactly from Azteca and from UCN?

 

Could this also happen to UCN in the near future?

 

UCN is private and so according to the article those were targets. Sounds like they basically nationalized some of the private schools. If UCN isn't causing waves it might not but then with that type of government it is hard to say. They get a wild hair and decide that all Private universities are sources of capitalist infiltration of the Sandinista paradise and all bets are off.

Perhaps the backlash about the damage done to the educational system by the crackdown will stop them from any more.

 

Having spoken to the Professor for the PhD in Psychology program at UCN on a number of occasions, I've found that they are well aware of the hurdles Americans have to deal with to reach licensure, specifically as a Psychologist. So, they are willing to tailor the program to a student's specific state requirements. However, it can only go so far, and it can go pretty far, but the hurdle of finding a suitable practicum that will satisfy a state's clinical hours requirement is still one that can't be made any easier, and for many students that one is the one that trips them up. Usually, it's a matter of not being able to find a place because none are available, or the student not having the money to pay the on-site supervisor for the supervision of their clinical hours (an amount that can often be unreasonable), a similar issue that foreign medical school students face if they have to do clinicals in the United States like IUHS has it. The wild thing here is that most aspiring to be licensed Psychologists in the U.S. face these problems not as foreign psychology school students, but as American psychology school students in an American program, smh.

I've seen some countries try to open things up by allowing virtual clinical practicums that work similar to the way virtual Medical Scribe jobs work (you see and hear the Doctor and patient, you make structured notes and hand-in electronic documents from each appointment and then have a brief discussion with the Doctor after each visit), with the exception that you actually have direct contact with patients for psych analysis whereas a Medical Scribe only has contact with patients for intake and the rare occasion when a Doctor has to be reminded of something from a patient's file. That system has been working fine, there are some organizations whose chief purpose is to provide these virtual internships for psychology programs, but the only ones I've seen were in the UK and India, the United States is not one of those countries that have embraced it for mental health professions and may not for a while simply because each individual state has to make the decision to make them count as there is no unified standard like some other countries operate with.