CSU approved DBA degree program now available

I received a email today that CSU has officially been given the approval by DETC and the State of Alabama to offer the DBA degree program.

At $375 a credit hour and a requirement of 61 credit hours, it may be alot more expensive than many anticipated.

All of the information is available at their website at:

http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/


What are some of the thoughts out there on their curriculum, cost etc.?

 

A significant issue will be the level of acceptance of this doctorate by employers in business and academic sectors compared to a regionally accredited DBA. The fact that DETC does not have the academic brand recognition status that RA does may effect the utilization of this degree. It will be interesting to observe because other DETC schools will probably initiate other doctoral programs in business and possibly Psychology in the not too distant future.

 

The course content looks ok but you don't have the opportunity to have a specialization. I'm impressed that the books are included in the price of the tuition but I'm also surprised at the tuition rate.

For my money, I'd go to Northcentral University. It's not that much more expensive, it has full regional accredidation and you have the opportunity for specialization.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Simply don't understand why there are so many people here hoping that they will get a " lesser" price tag on a DETC doctorate. Business is business. the only reason that CSU wants a DBA program is to make profit and attract more students-which is perfectly OK and legit.

 

I think the issue here is that if one can get a regional accredited DL doctorate at the same price as DETC accredited doctorate, why would one go for DETC degree?

 

How is CSU as an institution viewed in general? If they were to apply for RA, do does anyone think they would pass? Just curious. Thanks for any feedback.

TDA

 

Consider this: Columbia Southern University is located in Alabama, which is within the purview of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which likes to fancy itself as the most rigorous of the six regional accrediting agencies merely because they consistently refuse to accredit any 100% distance learning institutions.

 

Even though it sounds stupid to go for a DETC DBA than RA DBA if prices are the same, but think it on another perspective. It's a Big step that DETC is moving, and at least DETC is allow to accredit DBA now, and hope that more DL Universities will be offering DBA and we, as a student will have more choices to choose from. Be it RA or DETC...
Cheers!

 

I could see the academic sector not fully accepting it for academic teaching requirements at a traditional university, being that most traditional schools reqiure the RA accredition. But, this largely has to do with universities wanting professors who attended a traditional classroom setting to teach their traditional classes.

How many NCU doctorate graduates do you see teaching as a tenured professor in a traditional classroom setting at a traditional university? Honestly, I don't know the answer, but I would guess not too many, if any.

I think individuals who are pursuing the DBA are not geared or primarily focused on teaching at a university, but are looking for the finialization of completing a doctorate program beyond the MBA or business related master's that can be directly applied in the business world. Now granted, there are some DBA's who are professors, but I would venture to say that someone pursuing a Ph.D (research related degree) would be more apt to becoming a professor. I've always argued if you want to teach full time at a traditional university earn your degree traditionally and not online.

With DETC degrees being widely accepted in the private and governmental sector for employment and or promotional advancement, it's hard to deny the fact that DETC DBA's are going to provide a real bargin for someone who is not interested in teaching.

With NCU graduate tuition at $475.00 per credit unit and being viewed as the most affordable accredited doctorate program available, CSU's DBA is significantly less at $375.00 per credit unit. That's $300.00 less per class and CSU's tuition includes text books.

At NCU with 81 credits needed to graduate (assuming you don't transfer any graduate classes) it would equate to $38,475.00 whereas with CSU it would be $22,875.00. And, CSU requires the following for consideration for admission into the DBA. As you'll see, CSU requires you to have earned a master's degree in business or a related discipline:

"Applicants are required to have a Master's degree in business or a related field. Doctoral candidates must be fluent in English, and are expected to write at a level meeting the standards of scholarly publications. The admission decision will be based on student total accomplishment and skills; expected capacity to understand contemporary practices in business and public management; and the economic, social and political context in which business is conducted. Students applying to the doctoral program will be required to document relevant academic experience and have a minimum of two years of professional experience. Academic and practical experience must be documented with transcripts and a resume. A Master's degree earned at an appropriately accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 will be required for admission to the doctoral program."

CSU's Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) looks every bit as challenging and rigors to that of any regionally accredited DBA. I think your going to find many students enrolling into this and similar programs offered by the DETC. Every accreditor and school had a starting point. In time, I believe it will be shown to be a popular and sought after degree program offering maximum flexibility and affordability.

 

I've been told in due time, CSU will start offering specializations for the DBA. The DBA just rolled out for CSU. Be patient, the specializations will follow.

 

Very true! CSU is deeply rooted in their respective region and they have no future plans on moving the entire operation, administration and faculty just for the sake of RA. Believe me, if CSU moved to the NCA region I'm very confident they would apply and receive regional accreditation with no problems whatsoever.

That being said, I've heard SACS iunder new leadership and is slowly becoming more receptive to online only institutions. It's very possible there could be a day where SACS would allow schools like CSU to apply for regional accreditation. And, with CSU's strong academic partnerships with University of North Alabama, University of West Alabama and University of West Florida, if any DETC school can achieve SACS accreditation it would be Columbia Southern University. And in all honesty, if CSU were to someday be eligible to apply for SACS accreditation do you honestly believe CSU's academic standards would some how increase? My answer is no. The reason why CSU can't apply for SACS is because SACS reqiurements are specifically geared towards traditional universities (i.e., size of library, percentage and number of full time faculty). Distance learning schools have online libraries and have more part time faculty and more full time administration. Hence, SACS would have to write an accreditation policy conducive to online learning. Once that happens (which probably will in due time) SACS will be accrediting online only schools just like NCA.

So, in my opinion CSU is making a smart business move by staying put and waiting for SACS stringentness and unfavorable view of online only distance learning institutions to disapate and evolve into the future under the new guidance and leadership of SACS.

 

I totally agree, for practical purposes, a DBA from CSU or NCU would have almost the same value in the market. NCU is RA but it can hardly be used in places where the RA doctorate is a must as tenure based professor positions.

 

What's next???

Now CSU starts to offer DBA.
So which schools are next?

Will CA Coast U resume its DBA in 2007?
Since the school used to offer DBA, probably it's easier for them to come up with the program.

 

I would imagine that CCU will also seek to offer a DBA and as a CCU alumni, I am looking forward to seeing this occur.

 

Hi JNelson467,

So how's your experience with CCU DBA?

 

I actually did the BS and MBA program with them. I am anticipating that they will offer a DBA in the future now that DETC has been given initial approval to do so.

I was in NCU's DBA program but due to both my current work and financial situation, I had to pull out for a 2nd time

 

Hi JNelson467,

I am just curious.
How did you get acceptance into NCU DBA degree with MBA from CCU? I would imagine that you got your MBA before CCU was accredited by DETC.

If the price is right, are you going to enrill in CCU DBA program when it becomes available?

 

This situation is not unusual. Capella has been known to accept applicants into their doctoral programs with DETC master degrees. So I am not surprised that NCU as well as other distance doctoral level degree programs would do the same.

 

In the world of graduate education, it is always a matter of negotiation. I have seen situations where we had students that came to Canada as refugees and wanted to continue graduate education with no transcripts or diplomas. Some of the graduates came from schools that are not very open from countries like Libia or Iraq so the only way to get admission was by letting them take some courses as independent students, if the results were satisfactory then the student was allowed to continue.

At the end, if you are able to handle the courses is because your education is acceptable to the University standards.

Schools like Capella or NCU are businesses and not willing to let people out because technicalities. If the student can handle the work why not?

 

I totally agree with you that it's all about negotiation.
However, I would suspect that there are RA rules that these schools need to comply. For example, one needs to have an accredited bachelor's degree in order to get acceptance into an ABA law school.