NCU Doctoral Roll Call...

This one is for all you NCU degree seekers out there.

As I get closer to the end of my MBA program at Amberton, I also get closer to the start of my doctoral program. The more I learn about NCU, the more I like what I see.

I know a lot of you are regular posters here and I am just curious as to which programs (EdD, DBA, PhD) and specializations you are enrolled in and also any advice you can give future NCU learners.

Thanks in advance!

Mary

 

Mary, can MBAs chime in?

NCU has 12 week semesters with open enrollment. First of the month start dates. You have a learner affairs advisor to assist you with any questions about NCU and learning your way around. There is an academic advisor to assist you with course selection on your degree program.

No group of cohorts and you work one-on-one with your mentor. You go at your own speed, but must finish within the 12 week time frame. If you read or work on your papers a bit every day it is more than enough time. You receive a syllabus at the start of the class that details exactly what your objectives and assignments are.

Course work varies, but expect to write a lot. I have not had any "exams". Every course I have had so far (15 courses) has been 30-50 pages of analysis, article reviews, case studies, chapter review and mini papers, abstracts etc. A final project or final paper has ranged from 10 to 30 pages. The work has been very relevant and meaningful. I finish each course satisfied and excited for the next.

NCU is a good school and has worked hard to continuously improve since I started 12/03.

I enjoyed it so much at NCU, I re-enrolled. I would be in the DBA program, however work pays for degrees up to master's level. I am saving up for the DBA at NCU and in the mean time to stay sharp, I am in the Organizational Leadership specialization.

NCU is a great choice. Best wishes in your current and future degree programs.

Bill

 

MBAs may most definitely chime in, Bill! Thanks for posting. Your post was particularly interesting to me, as the DBA with the Organizational Leadership specialization is one of the programs that is on my short list.

I am hoping that the responses to this post will help me to shorten that list even a bit more. Right now the two big questions for me are:

DBA or PhD? My long term goals are to consult and teach (online or small local college) after I retire and I'm trying to decide which degree will best serve my needs.

Which specialization? Human Resources or Organizational Leadership?

Much success in your continued studies and thank you for posting!

Mary

 

"PhD" is definately a universal term. Even my dad mentioned that to me when I told him that I'm enrolled in a doctoral program. I didn't bother to mention to him that I'm going for a DBA instead of a PhD. He just assumed it was a PhD and I didn't feel like explaining the difference to him.

Many have said that if you want to teach, then a PhD is the preferred degree to have. However, I speculate that that's just an anecdotal observation (or opinion) on the part of some; other doctorates are probably just as useful i.e. DBA, EdD, et al.

Since I am a full-time working professional who is eligible to retire in 8.5 more years, the DBA seems more appropriate for me. My goal is not to become a professor, but to open political doors towards the end of my career and for that, a DBA will carry just as much clout as a PhD IMO.

Also, simply having a doctorate opens up doors that are otherwise closed, such as operating certain types of organizations within my community. I am pursuing a doctorate for the sake of the future, which cannot take into account the element of the unknown. However, there seems to be a statistical advantage of success for simply have a doctorate.

 

I am in the DBA - Public Administration program. In my work environment as a government employee, applied theory is relevant versus just theory. I believe in the near future the DBA will be the preferred doctoral degree for those in government, business and management related fields. With the DBA you are taught and exercise the same research skills as the PhD, except your focus is finding solutions to real world probems and/or enhancing some sort of capability(ies).

You can also teach with a DBA.

 

Perhaps this isn't an issue in circles outside the computer industry, but where I come from, the letters DBA mean database administrator, which at most would designate a certification.

Tricia (doctoral shopper who is considering NCU)

 

I am in the PhD – Business Quantitative Methods program. I chose this specialization because I am a government analyst and it fits my career path the best.

Despite the fact that the PhD, DBA, EdD, etc. are all pretty much the same, when given the choice, go with the PhD. People will argue that the PhD is more theoretical while the DBA and EdD are more applied, but I don’t think they are that different. One thing most people will not argue about is that the PhD has much better name recognition.

 

Thanks...you guys are great!

I agree that there is a lot to be said for the name recognition that comes with a PhD vs. some of the other doctoral degrees. That had been my feeling all along. Thanks for confirming it.

From what I can tell, the biggest difference between the NCU DBA and the NCU PhD in Business Administration boils down to the following three things:

-- PhD dissertation must produce an original contribution to the body of knowledge...DBA dissertation doesn't have to do that.

-- DBA dissertation must be practically oriented...PhD dissertation does not have to be.

-- PhD dissertation requires an oral defense...DBA dissertation doesn't.

Is that pretty much the gist of it? Or am I missing something here?

I've still got a while before I need to make my decision re: specialization, but I'm leaning pretty hard toward Organizational Leadership right now. I've worked in HR management for years so I'm pretty well-versed in most things HR at this point. I am finding that I really love the leadership aspect of my MBA program and I think that Org Leadership will have a bit broader range of utility than just HR.

Again...thanks for all of your responses. I have come to value and respect a lot of the opinions and info posted here.


Mary


One final (actually two, it seems) question for Ultimale..

As I recall, you just finished the Amberton MBA -- Strategic Leadership and have just started an NCU doctoral program. Which program and which specialization are you doing and do you feel that your Amberton program prepared you well for your doctoral program so far? Thanks!

 

PhD in Business (Marketing)

Hi Marylars,

I decided to go for the PhD in Business Administration, with a Marketing Specialzation. Like many have posted, the DBA isn't as well known in average populations, while the PhD is.

Unfortunately, my mom passed away right when I was about to begin, so I decided to start the program in about 6 months. Between work, mom's affairs, training, I have been swamped. I think the break will actually help me, as I was a bit burnt out towards the end. I have no doubt that Amberton prepared me sufficiently for NCU's program. Ultimately it will come down to desire, work habits and consistency.

How are you enjoying Amberton thus far?

 

Hi Ultimale,

Thank you so much for your reply. First and foremost, please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my coursework at Amberton. So much so, in fact, that I have recruited a few friends and colleagues; their experiences have been very positive, too. I have not taken either of the RGS courses yet, but I am expecting that the research course should be a great preparation for my doctoral studies.

Thanks again...Mary

 

Thanks Marylars

Thanks Marylars,

As for the RGS courses, don't stress on them. Ethics was one of the best courses I have ever taken! It far surpassed my expectations. Research is terrific as well. I was reluctant to take these, and loved them both! I think you will too!

 

Re: Thanks...you guys are great!

That's pretty much it. The biggest difference comes in the future when you either list PhD or DBA on your resume and maybe business cards. With a PhD people will know you are Dr. Mary. With a DBA, people will either think huh?? or Database Administrator (unless of course they are familiar with the DBA).

 

Re: Re: Thanks...you guys are great!

Thanks for the encouraging words. I have been putting them off because I didn't think they would be doable while taking other classes. Is Dr. Loyd the only one who teaches Ethics? Also, any recommendations as to who to take Research from? Thanks!

You're right...and that is the best difference of all! After reading this thread today, it is definitely going to be the PhD for me. Thanks!

 

Dr Loyd & Dr Watson

I believe that Dr Loyd is the only Professor for Ethics. She was wonderful. To be honest, I was dreading the Ethics course, but it was one the best classes I have ever taken!

For research, I had Dr Watson. She was great as well. I put this class off until the very end. The course was much better than I expected. She helped a ton. I was able to work on a topic that was very pertinent to my Profession as well.

As for the DBA vs. PhD argument, I side on the PhD side as well. The public understanding of a DBA has to be very low, yet most would know a PhD is Doctorate.

 

Agree that the name DBA can cause a lot of confussion. Yet, I still contend that it is the degree of the future. I would love to see new initials for the degree. How about calling it, Dr.BA or B.D (Business Doctorate).

 

I think to call a doctorate of business administration a B.D. would be a BaD joke

 

I am in the Business Administration / Management program. Advice - make sure you really want it before enrolling. Once I started, I feel like if I stop it would be a personal tragedy and defeat

 

I am at NCU too!!!

I am in the PhD in Business Administration specializing in Criminal Justice. I decided on the PhD, so I would not have to explain the DBA for the rest of my life. This is the way I saw it; however, the DBA serves its purpose too.

Once you start, you will finish. The program is set up for pure success. The way the dissertation portion is set up, you cannot help but finish. I have nine more classes before the research, comps, and dissertation phases.

Classes are challenging and this is why it is a PhD and not an associate's degree.

You will enjoy yourself and soon be called "Dr.".

Hope you join us!!!

Christie