Accelerated studies at Northcentral?

Hi, all. I am looking very hard at the MBA with a concentration in E-Commerce at Northcentral. I have heard and read conflicting statements about how self-paced the program is. Has anyone had experience with the MBA, and can you tell me about how quickly I can move from semester to semester? Sixteen weeks is a long time, and I don't want to have to wait several weeks to begin a new course.

Sean

 

Might want to look at the MBA program at Cal State-Dominguez Hills. I finished it in 15 months. It went very fast.

Some Info...
http://som.csudh.edu/temp/geteducated.htm

Link to Program...
http://mbaonline.csudh.edu/

 

There was a time that NCU would allow students to start and finish courses at their own pace. However, in order for NCU to be eligible to offer Title IV financial aid, NCU had to set a mandatory semester length. A semester at NCU is 16 weeks.

http://www.ncu.edu/news/press_releases/display.asp?press_release_id=31

You can still complete courses at your own pace (within 16-weeks), but if you finish a course early, you still have to wait until the end of the 16-week semester to begin a new course.

 

Grrr...

Grrr... But I don't want no stinkin' financial aid...

It looks like I can work the system a bit by signing up for, say, 2 courses (in semester 1), and if I finish them early, getting all of the info I need for the next course (in semester 2). I can then do the work for the next course (semester 2), but not submit the work until semester 2 starts. For semester 2, I can enroll in (3) courses: the one I just finished ahead of time, and two more for semester 2.

Perhaps others are doing this?

 

I have almost completed my MBA program with Northcentral. I enrolled prior to the semester restrictions. I am considering continuing on in the Ph.D. program and would have to study under the full 16 week semester restrictions.

If you wish to accelerate your program just sign up for two or three courses depending on how comfortable you are with your coursework. The fastest I was able to finish a course was about five weeks and that was with diligent studying and prior professional knowledge.

Northcentral University is still self paced as you are not dependent on cohorts. You can take as many courses as you feel comfortable and work hard to complete your program. They really are working hard to provide a dynamic learning experience.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

c.novick, thanks for your response. From what I am reading, Northcentral isn't something that I should shy away from. I've read that they are anything from a degree mill to a highly rigorous institution of higher learning. I am reading the latter more and more, so I am getting more comfortable with the institution. I do know that the cohort program I am in at Bellevue is very frustrating. I could have been done already if it weren't for the cohort system. Six weeks for these courses is too long for me! Northcentral has the concentration that I want (e-commerce) and it looks like I could move into a PhD program when I complete the MBA, if I am so inclined.

Have you any "gotchas" to warn me about regarding this school? That question also goes out to anyone with first hand NCU knowledge.

 

So far NCU has been smooth sailing. The classes are challanging but not impossible. The instructors have been great so far as well as the customer service.

I completed two classes and I am going to sign up for my third.

As far as the sixteen week rule- If you finish a class early, no big deal. You can sign up for a new class the first of every month. From the Learners Website -
If You Complete The Course Before The Scheduled End Date – Faculty mentors have been instructed to post a final grade when all coursework is completed.

NOTE: If you are receiving VA benefits, you must take the full 16 week term to complete the course.

 

Thank you, Randell1234, that's what I wanted to get clear on. I need to get on the phone with these folks tomorrow morning. I also want to determine whether a course I take as a non-degree student will be applied to a degree once I enroll as a degree seeking student. I'd like to take BUS3000 before I complete my B.S. at Bellevue.

 

I don't think that is correct. According to an email that received on 12 Aug 04:

"Our former policy of allowing Learners to add another course at the beginning of any month is no longer in effect. You will now need to decide during the enrollment period before the beginning of your next 16-week term how many courses you would like to take during that term. After the end of the Drop/Add period (1st seven days of course), you will not be allowed to add a course for the remainder of the term."

This applies regardless of VA or financial aid status.

 

Sean said:

This is pretty much what I meant by the above statement. I suppose that since the mentors can release the course information before the beginning of the semester, one could get a good jump on the work and then decide whether to enroll in (2) or (3) courses depending on the progress made 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

 

If you want to ensure that you get a straight answer, contact NCU directly.

Their customer service is excellent, so you will probably get an answer very quickly.

 

The website says:

"Courses begin the first of each month (regardless of whether the first falls on a holiday or weekend). Once the 16-week course term has begun, a Learner can only add/drop courses the first 7 days of the course term. After the add/drop period, a Learner cannot begin a new course until the start of the next 16-week term. Learners may request their next term course at any time during their current term (up to the 21st day of the last month of the current term). The course outline / syllabus, and the course web page, will be available on the Learner web site as soon as the course is issued. However, course work cannot be submitted until the course start date."

This is why I think I could "start" another course before the new semester, but not post to it until the new semester.

I tried to call yesterday but got no response. Could be because it was Presidents day. I am going to call again tomorrow morning. Thanks for all of your thoughts.

Sean

 

I believe you are correct. I have to take MGT5028 (Stats) next for the Ph.D. program. I may take that one course then when I have it under control, register for others and get a jump on them.

If I were you, I would take LS6010 and maybe another course to get started, then take off from there.

NCU's offices were closed yesterday. Best wishes with your search

 

NCU student services are excellent! You get a learner affairs advisor to assist you with any non-academic issues. Additionally, you will have an academic advisor to assist you with your academic issues every step of the way.

The only thing I can think of as a warning... is that some mentors were better instructors than others, which is endemic in most universities anyway.

Northcentral was a great experience and I am looking forward to continuing on for the Ph.D.

 

You could "start" another course providing you 1) know who your mentor will be and 2) can get a copy of the correct (and updated) syllabus.

You could also take two to three courses in a 16-week semester instead and work through them at your pace.

If you are having a hard time reaching someone by phone, try emailing them. When I email them, they respond very quickly.

 

Initial course sequence for NCU

I've been accepted at NCU for the Ph.D. BA (Finance) and only have LS6010 and MGT5028 to do as far as the "foundation" ones are concerned. I've seen the syllabi for these, and was wondering if I should take them togther. I'm a ten hour max per week student, and I don't know if that will do it for both of these back to back within the 16 week interval. I'm good with statistics, but don't know how much grunt/busy work there will be.

What do you think?

 

Re: Initial course sequence for NCU

When I started my program at Northcentral I enrolled in LS6010 only. I was personally glad I did it that way. It really gives you a detailed overview of research methodology and APA writing. Additionally by enrolling in one course to start you can get a feel for submitting assignments and the learners page without getting too stressed out. LS6010 is one of the most important courses offered as it gives you the foundation to continue your degree program.

If you are proficient in APA and research methods, you can probably take MGT5028 and be fine. My recommendation however is to start with LS6010 first.

Best wishes for success and welcome to NCU.

 

Re: Initial course sequence for NCU

Take c.novick's advice; start with one course and see how you do.

When I first saw the syllabus for LS6010, I thought it looked relatively simple and that I would be able to complete the course in no time at all: I was mistaken. If you are a 10 hour a week max student, you may want to take one course at a time. LS6010 can easily take 10 hours a week.

One word of caution for LS6010; allow yourself at least three to four weeks to complete the final assignment. The final assignment doesn’t look too bad on the syllabus, but it turns out to be a marathon!

 

your comments are appreciated

Thanks. I'll just do the LS course first and see how it goes.

 

Re: Initial course sequence for NCU

Congratulations! I wish you luck in your PhD in Finance program at NCU. I'm with you, I'm also a 10 hr a week max student but sometimes you are required to put more time when you have a hard deadline to meet. One course at the time seems to be the way to go if you don't want to kill yourself. I'm not a student at NCU but believe that all the doctorates require a minimum amount of commitment per week of 10 hrs and be flexible to put more hours when the time comes.