Nova Southeastern University

Hello,

I am considering applying for Nova Southeastern's Ed.D. in Human Services Administration. What are your thoughts on this program? I've heard both good and bad things about the dissertation process at Nova and want to make sure this program will meet my needs. For the record, I am a mid-level supervisor in a state government's child welfare agency, so it seems like this would meet my needs. Thank y'all in advance for your help!

 

I have no specific thoughts on the program. However, I am curious as to who will be paying the $71, 820 tuition cost?

Have you ever considered getting a DPA? I think it's a fitting qualification since you're working in government. Liberty also offers a Ph.D. in Public Policy.

 

My Depatment will pay for the tuition. I have to pay for the books and fees. What DPA programs do you recommend? The only one I really know of is Valdosta. I have seen the Ph.D. in public policy, but was worried about the connotations of a degree from Liberty University. Please forgive me, I don't mean any disrespect. I just wonder how much religion influences the degree?

 

In that case, I'd say go for it. Nova has a good reputation, unfortunately I have no personal experience with their degree programs.

As far as Liberty goes, all courses are taught from a Christian worldview. The course contents are the same as any other school - the only difference is that students are required to incorporate a Biblical perspective their assignments.

West Chester University of PA offers a DPA and so does Cal Baptist University... Walden and Capella also offer DPA degrees but I am going to assume that you're not interested in a for-profit school.

 

Thank you for your help! I'm still leaning towards it, but am looking at other options (DPA's). Does anyone else have any opinions on NSU?

 

Valdosta State University offers an online DPA.

 

The third post on this thread alluded to that

 

Now now. I'm looking at Valdosta's DPA program. It looks like they have two days every Fall and Spring semester in person. That doesn't seem to bad either and seems like a fairly versatile degree.

 

Yeah, I just quickly scanned the thread and missed it.

 

That being said, if anyone does know anything about my original questions, that would be helpful too.

 

It's hard to answer the question without knowing what your needs are. We know that most managers in child welfare agencies do not hold doctoral degrees, so what do you need or want the doctorate for?

 

For a variety of reasons. I want to work in Executive Service (directly with the Govenor and their cabinet members.) Most of these positions say "doctoral degree in social sciences preferred." There is a local state college with positions I would not mind teaching in. The State will give me a 10% raise to my salary for it. I think this qualification could help me stand out from the competition and increase my pay as well.

 

For what it's worth, my opinion is that an EdD in Human Service Admin is not substantially different that a DPA or a DBA in Non-Profit Mgmt, or the Public Policy program previously mentioned. You've been rather unclear about exactly what you want the degree to do for you. It's not entirely clear that you actually need a doctoral degree in your position or even to advance in or organization. You've expressed not particular focus or area of interest (an EdD in HSA is remarkably generic). You could, for example, just as easily get a doctoral degree in Human Development, or Child Development or Organizational Psychology or even Clinical Psychology. They could all be seen as relevant to a person in your position. Why are you interested in HSA above any/all of these other options?

As for Nova, it's an OK school. Just OK. There's nothing wrong with it but it doesn't stand out in a positive way either. Maybe you like that particular program for some reason. That's OK but I'm not sure we've got a member who's gone through it. A couple of people have gone through Nova, including a once-upon-a-time Moderator, and he used to say good things about the school. It's just not clear to me 1) what your interests are and 2) what you hope the degree will do for you. Both will be big factors in choosing a program.

 

Did you see my reply to sanantone? Other than that no other real needs. I am considering Valdostas DPA program as it seems that would meet my needs quite well. Honestly I had not really looked at DPA's before. I am moving from direct field work to administrative and policy work if that helps, but I cant say that my MSW and MPA dont already make me well rounded in social policy.

 

OK. So virtually anything in the social sciences will work. Best of luck.

 

Thank you for your reply. I did not mean any disrespect by the brevity in my previous post. I was on my phone. I do want a doctorate I will actually get something out of, as far as educationally. I am open to other avenues and don't want to give that misconception.

 

Well you don't seem too concerned about costs so maybe you'd consider Walden They have several programs that might work for you.

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-doctoral-programs

 

I am staying away from for-profits at all costs.

 

How about a DSW since you already have an MSW? Schools offering online/hybrid DSW include U Penn, U of Tennessee Knoxville, U of Southern Cali, Kutztown U. and St. Kate's U.

Not a U.S. based program but the University of the West Indies Open Campus offers a Ph.D. in Child, Adolescent and Youth Studies online. http://www.open.uwi.edu/programmes/mphil-and-phd-child-adolescent-and-youth-studies

 

Personally I think that's rather narrow-minded but, whatever, it's your decision.