University of the Cumberlands EdD: Yeah, I enrolled

Discussion in 'Education, Teaching and related degrees' started by SteveFoerster, Jan 29, 2014.

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  1. cacoleman1983

    cacoleman1983 Well-Known Member

    University of Cumberlands seems like a good university for anyone who wants to specialize in an area while studying leadership skills that can be used inside and outside the education field. It's even more awesome for those who have more than the 36 hours of graduate credit for a Masters to use their hours towards their doctorate degree in their specialization area.

    To Matt and Steve, which track will you choose EdD or PhD? Doesn't seem like it will make a huge difference when it is just two additional courses although the dissertation approach in going either practical or original will make the most difference.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 6, 2015
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Matt and I are both on the PhD track. The two courses are not that big a deal, and one of the ones I chose, Organizational Behavior, turned out to be one of the best courses I took in the whole program. I am in my last course now, so I start the dissertation in January. I don't really have a topic decided yet, I plan to visit campus later this month and discuss it with some of the faculty members in person.
     
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Wow, nice work. To me it seems like it went quickly. I'm sure it's different for you. Thanks for the update.
     
  4. SaltySea

    SaltySea New Member

    I am strongly considering the EdD in Leadership program. It looks like just what I'm looking for but reading your confirmations of positive experiences here has really got me excited. Still waiting to talk with an admissions counselor, who is, apparently, out of town until the end of next week. Are the classes "meeting" online once per week? How long are those sessions? Thanks to all who are willing to share.
     
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Thanks! Actually, I've been so busy for the last two years that it doesn't seem like that long for me either. :smile:

    Yes, almost all the courses I took had a weekly live session, which was 90 minutes long. The two courses I took to fulfill elective requirements and that were offered by other departments did not have live sessions, but all the ones in our actual department did have them.
     
  6. SteadyRsearcher

    SteadyRsearcher New Member

    Hi All,

    Thank you for the detailed feedback on University of the Cumberlands and their doctoral program. I've been viewing this forum for the last couple years, and finally decided to create this profile since I'll also be joining the PhD program, starting in January. Based on the advice from everyone, especially Matt and Steve, I decided to complete a post-master's grad certificate and transfer the 18 allowed credits for a specialization in business. I'm looking forward to my first two courses (Learning in Adulthood with Atkinson in SP1 & Higher Ed in America with Coleman in SP2). Any insight or advice on either would be much appreciated.

    Thanks again everyone!
     
  7. SaltySea

    SaltySea New Member

    Thanks, Steve. That sounds manageable.
     
  8. SaltySea

    SaltySea New Member

    How long should the admissions process take at UC? I have filled out the application, requested transcripts be sent and have asked for letters of rec to be submitted. I took the GRE so long ago that there is no longer a record of it. Someone in admissions advised that I could possibly waive that by submitting my resume. I have yet to actually speak to anyone at any length about the program, however. As I mentioned in a previous post, Tim from admissions did leave a message for me that he'd be out of town until the end of this week. I'd like to start in January, if possible. I've been reading about interviews and essays and a "Foundation Exam"--I'm anxious to get going but wonder if there is enough time with holidays and all. What was your experience with the admissions process like?
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Things were pretty quick for me. My GRE was too old to use, and while I could have replaced it with extra recommendations, it was easier just to take the MAT (a quick, inexpensive, and easy exam that I took on an extended lunch break at a nearby testing center). If you have a choice, consider the MAT.

    That said, I have the feeling that the admission process has changed a bit in the two years since I was going through it, and that they have started getting many more applicants in a way that may reasonably slow down their response times. YMMV.
     
  10. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I'm glad my account was useful to you! No advice, sounds like you have things under control. Please join our Facebook group if you haven't already: http://facebook.com/groups/cumberlandsleadership
     
  11. SteadyRsearcher

    SteadyRsearcher New Member

    I was able to move through the admissions process fairly quickly (3-4 weeks). You will need to clarify with the admissions department, but I think you'll be in good shape as long as you can complete the required items/documents in a timely manner. They were very prompt on scheduling the exams and updating my file as transcripts came in. I hope this helps!
     
  12. SaltySea

    SaltySea New Member

    Thanks to both of you! Things are progressing. I was able to waive the GRE score, which I took so long ago it's no longer on record, by submitting my resume. Transcript is in process as are recommendation forms. Submitting my essay by the end of this week and then I guess it's on to the Foundations exam and an interview. Hope join you in January!
     
  13. dhs320

    dhs320 New Member

    I just applied as well and going through the process. I hope to get in soon and get started! I teach criminal justice and homeland security so I plan to take the CJ concentration.
     
  14. sirjamesm

    sirjamesm New Member

    So after months and months of considering and saying it wasn't the right time, I've decided to take the first steps towards applying. I will be scheduling my MAT this winter and will start going through the process... What time are the live online class sessions typically?
     
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The live sessions are once per week on a weeknight. I don't think I've ever had a Friday course and am not sure whether they have any. They are either 6pm to 7:30pm, or 8pm to 9:30pm (Eastern time).
     
  16. sirjamesm

    sirjamesm New Member

    Do the times cycle at all per course or are some only offered at 6 eastern? I'm on the west coast so 3pm my time would be a lot tougher than 5pm
     
  17. cacoleman1983

    cacoleman1983 Well-Known Member

    I have inquired as well as sent my unofficial transcript to University of the Cumberlands. I have 47 graduate hours which consist of a Med in Learning Systems Technology and a G.Cert in Technology Innovation. Some interesting things happened in my Graduate Certificate Program.

    The program consisted of 18 hours (technically 12) which contained 6 hours of electives which came from my Masters, 6 hours of technology innovation courses, and 6 hours of business/entrepreneurial courses. In the first business course, I made a C. The second business course had not been offered in about 2 years and had not been offered in the semester I needed it so I ended up substituting the course for a special topics information science course. I only had to do 12 hours above my Masters ending with 3 A’s and 1 C. The C did count as a pass so I did not have to repeat the class. Thus, I finished the certificate.

    After inquiring with U of C about transfer hours, they accepted 6 out of 12 hours of my certificate towards the information systems area of specialty. I am considering completing a 12 hour Graduate Certificate in Data Science from UALR where I am currently employed which has been approved by U of C to count towards the information systems specialty which would fulfill the full 18 hour requirement.

    Another interesting fact, I was thinking about specializing in Mathematics by completing a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics. The courses contain the STAT prefix. U of C will not accept these courses into the Math specialty.
     
  18. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Many schools draw a line between statistics and other branches of mathematics. I don't know why.
     
  19. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Probably because stats ain't math. They're just arithmetic. The math required for stats doesn't even rise to the level of algebra. This is why I'm always amazed when people don't want to take on quantitative dissertations because they're afraid of the math. What math?
     
  20. novadar

    novadar Member

    And on top of that SPSS does all the work for you. Seriously it is not very hard to insert data into a spreadsheet, load it into SPSS, run your tests, copy the resultant tables and charts, and then write an accompanying piece of text.

    Slightly oversimplified but not by much :squareeyed:
     

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