Enroll or wait? Program changes during leave? Stuck at ABD?

I'd like to start knocking out coursework for a doctorate. I'm currently most interested in TUW's PsyD, but I'm still considering some others.

I have an important upcoming life plan (family/moving/etc) that would be 18 months from now (or more). It could require me to take more time off than most programs allow. (TUW says I'd have to reapply for admission after my leave, if the leave is over 8 weeks. Also, TUW only allows 8 weeks of leave per year.) I wonder if I should wait?

There's uncertainty about this life goal/plan. 1) It may not happen at all. I feel the odds are high. 2) It may get delayed at least once, but I am trying to keep this from happening. 3) If it happens, I'm unsure if I need an entire year off, a half year, or no time at all. I'd try to stay continuously enrolled with 3 credits. I may be able to handle it, especially if I work ahead. (Get syllabi for my next courses in advance?) I guess that I'd be OK with getting lower grades temporarily.

If I reached the dissertation phase before the life plan disruption, I'd have the option of paying for continuance courses (which are only $500 each) to avoid enrollment lapse.

To reach the dissertation phase at TUW, I'd need 39 credits, and it seems like I could do 9 per semester. I could potentially start TUW courses in late Feb. I don't want to slow down the coursework by more than a semester, I'd like to take the max courses allowed.

Is it reasonable to assume that I would be readmitted with no problems? I'm sure I can get at least a 3.4 GPA before the leave, if I'm going to take a leave.

Is there any way to predict the likelihood of them making program changes, and how adverse the changes would be? I'm not sure they would know this far in advance?

Is there a chance I would get stuck at ABD (or even before reaching ABD!) with no way to finish? Remember it's a PsyD not a PhD, so there aren't many programs, if that matters.

Are there other factors I should consider?

I am tempted to proceed and make the best decisions down the road when I have to, but I may think about it for a few more months.

 

For those who were as stumped as I was, TUW is the former TUI - now Touro University Worldwide.

My question: In light of its somewhat flaky history, why consider TUW in the first place? (Keep in mind that I consider online university to be an oxymoron. Touro itself says that it's an online university which, IMO, places them in the bullshit category despite its regional accreditation.)

 

I want a program that allows dissertation defense via webcam and doesn't require campus visits. I don't need a school with a good rep because of my career goals, but would prefer RA. I'm hesitant to choose a foreign school.

Is there a specific issue with TUW that I should look into? I found happy graduates on this forum. NCU was a little worrisome based upon the dropouts on this forum (and NCU is much more expensive, and has more entrance requirements).

 

I'm the wrong person to ask whether Touro is better than Northcentral, as I've been on record for many years against doctoral programs in the helping professions that do not require some level of in-person contact (as in residencies). I make no exception, especially in a field like psychology.

I also trust that you realize that, depending on the state in which you live, you would be unlikely to sit for the psych boards or become licensed based on TUW's program, and would thus never be able to legally call yourself a psychologist.

 

"To teach how to live without certainty and yet without being paralysed by hesitation is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy, in our age, can do for those who study it." Bertrand Russell

 

The History of Touro University Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide's story starts in 1998 with start up of Touro University International which was founded by Dr. Yoram and Dr. Edith Neumann. It was the first university to offer an accredited doctorate program online with no residency requirements, making it attractive to government and military students. In 2007, TUI was sold to a private group, prompting Dr. Bernard Luskin to found Touro University Worldwide in 2008. His goal was to fill the educational void created when TUI was sold.

Touro College Los Angeles, a liberal arts college modeled after the program of the Lander Colleges, was opened in Fall 2005 in West Hollywood, California.

In 2008 Touro University Worldwide and Touro College Los Angeles were merged. Touro College Los Angeles is a division of Touro University Worldwide. ( Two divisions:Brick & Mortor and the online aspect)

Today, more than 19,000 students attend Touro University Worldwide around the globe.

"It gives me great joy to return to the Touro system as CEO of Touro University Worldwide and Touro College Los Angeles and continue the important work Dr. Bernard Luskin began. Through Touro University Worldwide, I have been able to realize my goal of creating a learning environment where students can receive a higher education degree on their own schedule, allowing them to pursue careers simultaneously. The Touro College and University System is a not-for-profit, visionary institution that aims to serve the underserved and promote academic success that translates into professional advancement. I believe in the mission of the college and have dedicated the majority of my life to upholding that mission. Drawing from the Judaic principles on which the school was founded, Touro students receive a holistic education. Our graduates are not only skilled in critical thinking, problem solving and communication, but they are also ethical leaders and global citizens. I fully believe in this approach, and the high retention and graduation rates that TUW maintains serve as testament to the powerful learning environment we’ve built at Touro. Again, thank you for your interest in Touro. We look forward to helping you succeed." -Dr. Yoram Neumann – Chief Executive Officer of Touro University Worldwide & Touro College Los Angeles


Link
https://www.tuw.edu/school-news/history-touro-university-worldwide/attachment/950x417-history-tuw-2/

 

I disagree.....I have attached a link that allows one to look up each states requirement to become licensed.

Link
https://www.psychologist-license.com/articles/psychologist-licensure.html

 

Liberty University has a Ph.D. in Psychology. Also, if you go with TUW and have to take a break, just reapply to the program. I'm sure they'll accept you again and the credits will be under 5 years old (the typical years for acceptability of credits).

 

As you think about it, consider this. Enroll in a Grad Cert program where you can roll the credits into the Doctoral program should you decide to go for it. If you don't go for it then you've got a nice little stand-alone cert for your resume. There are certain subjects you could apply to virtually any Doctoral program such as a Grad Cert in Research Methodology.