How quickly can you complete a masters at NCU?

I am looking for a distance learning at your own pace masters in IT or computer science or an MBA with an info sys focus.
I gather that NCU is correspondence based with no student to student interaction or posting to message boards. I also believe that students progress at their own pace similar to my experience with Penn foster for some undergrad courses I took for my BSBA CIS at Thomas Edison state college.
So am I correct in my assumptions and how fast can you go through the program? Ideally it would involve lots of reading followed by quizzes and assignments that are uploaded for a grade. This is my preferred method of study. I would like to be able to power through one course at a time in a month.

Thanks!

 

As I former NCU student, I think that would be possible. You would have to get permission to take two classes at once. The classes are generally 8 week classes, so taking two together would work out to being one class per month.

There are other schools that offer a master's degree in a format that is one class each month. I earned my master's at National University, a regionally accredited school, and completed it in just about one year. It offers one class each month and I enjoyed the experience. I know there are others that offer this kind of format. I'm sure you will get other suggestions shortly.

 

Any ideas?
Any other masters you complete via correspondence at your own pace?
I would rather not have to go on a semester pace with required message board postings.
I'm open to an MBA or a technology masters. Thanks!

 

I did one a month for a while when I was in the PhD/DBA program. It was no too difficult, but it did vary with the mentor. Some would not let you submit an assignment until you got the previous one back. The best thing about it in my view was that it was basically independent study with no mindless discussion requirements.

 

Thanks truckie that's what I'm looking for. I would probably take two classes at a time to avoid the lull between submissions but actually work one class at a time as the primary.
Any other schools like this?

 

NCU is no longer self paced. You are required to take a certain number of classes per year, you are tied to a paced course with weekly assignments, and you are required to immediately enroll in the next course. There are no breaks between courses and no Leave of Absence. Plus there is a great deal of turbulence with programs and policy changing frequently. I would suggest Cal Coast (Nationally Accredited), APUS (they have some interaction but no teams), or Florida Tech Online. What you are really looking for is an online correspondence based program. See University of Florida's programs Also UF Flexible Learning / Correspondence Study.

 

I spoke to an admissions rep today. He told me each course is 12 weeks, but you can stagger your start dates every 2 weeks which allows overlap. Each course is self-paced, no groups, no forums....as long as you are finished within 12 weeks you can hand in your assignments on your own schedule. 10 courses are required, total time ~1 year.

 

A two week break is not much flexibility in the schedule.

 

??
The start dates are every 2 weeks, not the breaks. You only have to enroll in a certain number of credits if you are getting financial aid- otherwise it's totally up to you.

 

Nichols College offers a self-paced MBA:

Nichols College: Massachusetts Graduate Programs, MBA in Business, Sports, Security Management. Graduate Online Degree Programs and Traditional Classroom Courses.

 

Not Northcentral, however, these MBA programs might also be of interest:

University of Louisiana-Monroe offers an AACSB accredited online MBA; courses are taught online in 4, 8 or 16-week formats. For non-Louisiana residents, the out-of-state fees are waived for the online degree student. Tuition is $579.42 per 3-CH course (if student takes up to 12-CH).
ULM's Gateway to Online Degrees (GOLD): The Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Westchester University of Pennsylvania offers an AACSB accredited online MBA with 10-week terms. Tuition for out-of-state students is $1185 per 3-CH course or $1,161 per 3-CH course for PA residents.
West Chester University Distance Learning Online MBA

Amberton University offers 10-week sessions. Tuition is $700 for each 3 credit hour course (pretty inexpensive for a private non-profit university); a flat tuition fee which applies to both undergraduates and graduates, Texas residents, out-of-state, and electronic students.
Amberton University - Learning Options

 

Honestly, there are so many better options than NCU for an MBA that have been discussed at length here.

 

Thanks for the info. The format is what I'm looking for. I might be able to complete one class in six weeks where another class might take me twelve. I would rather not be constrained by the pace of the syllabus if possible. As far as I can tell ncu might be the only school offering this. I have no affinity for ncu other than the self pacing.

 

Can't get much more self-paced than the Heriot-Watt EBS MBA.

 

AMU/APU offers 8 week courses with monthly starts. Depending on the instructor, you can usually work as far ahead in the class as you are able. I have had several students come through my classes who have completed a 36 credit Masters in a year or less.

 

NCU does seem like the best option if you are paying cash. What they don't tell you is that if you stagger the courses every two weeks your financial aid will not cover it. The aid only pays for like 12 credits every few months. If you choose this option you could end up owing the school money (if using aid). If you are paying cash then you should be fine. If not I would run for the hills. Good Luck