If you were accepted to both NCU & UNISA...

I've spoken to countless people about situations like yours, and it seems that where you get your PhD is the least thing anyone cares about (assuming it is at least an accredited PhD.) It is just a line item you check off a list. What matters more is your work experience, publications, ability to pull in grant money, etc.

I would ask the question this way: "Which program would be the easiest to deal with in order for you to finish your PhD as quickly as possible in order for you to move on and accomplish your goal?" A PhD is difficult enough without having to make trips overseas, deal with committee members on different continents, foreign evaluation services, etc. I would go with NCU. (BTW, if you are willing to fly to Africa, why not fly to Florida once in a while instead and do a DBA or DPA program with Nova?)

 

What does it matter who they let it? Getting out is the hard part.

 

May be the case but this is the kind of things that academics wouldn't understand. A typical University has only few PhD students in a faculty so the notion of mass enrollments for PhD programs might look bogus to some. I'm not saying that NCU is doing wrong but for many this might give less credibility to the school.

 

No, sorry. Where you earned your Ph.D. is generally the first thing asked or at least discussed. I agree that teaching experience, publications, and funding are important to land the position, but where you earned your doctorate is generally the first topic.

Dave

 

It matters who they let in, because weaker students slow down the cohort or consume instructor time that could be spent moving the stronger students along.

Moreover, it seems unethical to take the student's money for a skydiving lesson and then let them jump without a parachute; that is, the doomed student's fate can easily be foreseen, so why, besides the profit motive, would you let them jump?

Dave

 

"It matters who they let in, because weaker students slow down the cohort or consume instructor time that could be spent moving the stronger students along."


Northcentral does not have cohorts.

basrsu

 

That is correct, but no school does in the dissertation phase. However, too many weak Ph.D. students at even an online school could tie up professors and generate complaints; it is better not to admit these students and let them keep their money.

Dave

 

Distantdoc,
If the cost works out the same, I would say enjoy your trips to South Africa. After all, people in this forum express their personal concerns over the value of both types of degrees. So why not get something out of the whole affair after the dust has settled?

You can graduate from UNISA while experiencing first hand some unbelievable cultural diversity during your required trips or you can go to Prescott AZ. at graduation for the same value....And I bet, within thirty miles you would see the same taco bell and walmart as in your home town...groan.

I might be bias towards UNISA, because it currently fits my situation. Like you, I have also looked at both schools but have recently decided that I can get kicked around at UNISA with a program I would really enjoy just as easy at NCU in a program that for me would be a wonky fit.
I see UNISA as helping me achieve a twofold process, first helping me study my true passion which is history and secondly, helping me save some serious money....money that looks real nice sitting in an IRA or 401k gaining interest...or even my child's educational future.

Whichever way you decide, good luck, and I bet you will need it! I will not berate either school. Both will probably give you a sound ass kickin', however, if the naysayers play down either school as a picnic, tell them to jump on in and get a piece of chicken!

Both probably fit your situation well, you mentioned the fact you are looking to keep the mental wheels greased and branching out into business circles, and I agree with the earlier post that many within the private sector give a hoot about where your degree comes from but instead like the end results you produce for a firm. Heck, most companies prostitute themselves for a dollar and much of the degree mill stuff could quite possibly be traced back to them for not caring if a degree is accredited or not, but instead simply needing a photocopy of the "degree" for the employee file....sorry for the tirade.

Do what's in your heart!
atb,
Gavin

 

In addition, I find that NCU is that the type of school that you either love it or hate it. I would check the opinions of NCU students about this program in terms of what it has done for them before and after graduation. Some people posted official complaints in the bad business bureau

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff235580.htm


There are also some reviews here, some positive and negative

http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/northcentral-university/


I'm pretty sure that a lot of people might not like UNISA, but couldn't find official complaints online for this school.

 

I don't know NCU. But I do know Unisa. And having lived in Zambia, UK and the Middle East, I know that having a variety of university experiences to draw on is important.

If you DistantDoc, have any interest in seeking work abroad, or publishing abroad, or ever living abroad, then think seriously of a degree from a university outside the United States.

Keep in mind, that for non-Americans, all American universities that are not Ivy League are suspect because there are so many private ones, so many degree mills and so many types of accreditation and very few if any people, including the academic world outside the USA has any idea how your system works since it is so different from the rest of the world.

A degree from the University of South Africa will be known and acknowledged more readily outside the United States than one from NCU. If you intend living in the USA and not reaching outside, then perhaps NCU is better. If it is more accepted and you will remain inside your country for work and research publication, then NCU may be the best option for you.

Brad