My experience with University of the Cumberlands...

Before anyone gripes that I didn't add this to the already accumulated Cumberlands thread, I believe that my experience might be helpful for those considering their PhD program in Leadership.

Many of our colleagues have attended, or are currently attending, UC for their doctorate degree. I technically enrolled in UC back January 2017. I took one class--because I was also completing my second master's in an effort to transfer credit--and then I ended up starting the program full time in September of that same year.

I entered the program with my MS in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, and then when I completed my MA in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University, I was then granted 18 units of psychology coursework from my first masters degree, fulfilling my content specialty courses.

The first class I took was Learning in Adulthood. This was by far a very easy class, but very practical. I appreciate the online-synchronous learning modality. What is nice about the program is that you attend class one night a week from either 6 pm - 7:30 pm EST or 8 pm - 9:30 pm EST. Since I live in California, I typically select classes that are held during the 8 pm schedule, because I can just log-on at 5 pm when I end my shift at work. The course consisted of a few discussion boards and a final paper of 5-7 pages regarding adult learning theories. One text was required for this course.

The second class I took was Higher Education in America, because at the time, my son was about to be born and I wanted to continue with education, but just didn't know how I would be able to handle so much change in my life. Secondly, I took this course because I am familiar with a lot of concepts pertaining to higher education, so I felt that if I were to have manage a newborn and pursue my education, I would take a class that I thought would not be too challenging. Needless to say, this was a good class to take during that time: very manageable for my life circumstance in according to my current role in higher education. Ironically, after I took this class, I was promoted in my current role. The course did not require any text, but text articles were provided each week to read and review. In addition, there were discussion boards and three papers: (1) 3-5 page paper; (2) 5-7 page paper; (3) 8-10 page paper.

The next class I took was Grant Writing. I never took a grant writing course before, and did not know what I was really going to expect. It was a great class, and I can see why UC incorporated this course into their curriculum. The course was very practical and the text was very inexpensive. Like the other two classes before, I felt that this course was also a bit easier for me to handle. This course had a few discussion boards, and three papers 3-5 pages and an actual grant proposal. Depending upon the grant type, it could have been a full proposal, or as little as a letter of interest.

I am currently finishing up my fourth class, The Change Process. I took this course with the same instructor that I did in Learning in Adulthood. This class was very easy, like the last three courses. I kind of wish this course had a little more dept to the material. The course content consist of power point slides; no text but there were a few discussion boards, where you had to discuss about an article pertaining to that weeks topic. The last assignment required a 5-7 page paper the change process and the details pertaining to a past or current experience.

So far I was anticipating that my experience in a doctoral program would be more challenging. I am not complaining, but I am not going to let these past experiences catch me off guard. I have a feeling that the coursework will pick up, especially when I enter the dissertation phase. Since these courses have been a bit lighter, I have decided to take three course next semester: Inferential Statistics, Advanced Human Development (elective), and Leadership in Theory and Practice. For the fall, I have enrolled in The Politics of Organizational Decision Making and Teaching and Learning Online.

So far, I am overall satisfied with the course content, and I really have enjoyed all the instructors I've had thus far. I'm looking forward to my continued journey at UC. After all this fall, I will only need 7 more classes to complete my program. It's a lot faster than I anticipated, too.

For those of you who are interested in this program, I highly recommend it for a number of reasons:

(1) The cost is very affordable. Each course is currently $1125 for tuition at the doctoral level. That's super cheap! After factoring my transfer credit, the total tuition cost is estimated to be $18,000. There are some technology fees per term ($50 per term), but that is not a deal-breaker. I don't believe that I can really find a more cost effective PhD program that is regionally accredited for the transfer credit price. Even if you did not have transfer credit, the program tuition cost is roughly $25,000. I think the only other programs that come close (these programs are not PhD but EdD programs) are Valdosta State University and American College of Education. Even Johnson University was a inexpensive option for a PhD, but UC is far more cost effective.

(2) I like the online-synchronous learning modality. Lectures are an hour and a half and provide a great sense of the "in-class" feeling but on a virtual setting. It's nice to communicate with your instructor in a class setting. It just feels more tangible rather than asynchronous formats. Don't get me wrong, asynchronous works for many--I am well aware of this from both Liberty and SNHU--but this program just feels different and this is a feature that really adds value in my opinion.

(3) It's truly geared for working adults. So far, from my experience, it seems that the curriculum is more andragogical in nature. It makes a lot of sense, since the programs mantra is "Leadership through Andragogy and the Platinum Rule". I'm a huge fan of andragogy and this program has been a perfect fit with my teaching philosophy.

(4) High transfer rate and content specialty area. I do not know any other program where you can transfer 18 units of prior coursework into a doctorate degree. I think UC is created this program in a way that was meaningful for teaching. Since 18 units are required in the course content, UC enables you to earn the minimum 18 units to teach in an expanded field that is not in leadership (i.e., math, criminal justice, psychology, etc.). This is also helpful for those who want to teach for HLC territory insititions, as HLC requires faculty to be "qualified" to teach subjects in the field their degree qualifies them for. (Ref: http://download.hlcommission.org/FacultyGuidelines_2016_OPB.pdf)


I know that this has been long winded, but I hope that it's helpful for those considering this degree option. In addition, those of you who are in the program or finished the program, feel free to chime in and provide your feedback and insight.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. All the best as you progress on your academic journey!

 

Hello DxD. I'm just wondering if you are still enrolled? I just finished up the University of the Cumberlands application process and interview today, and am tentatively planning to start in July with the PhD in Leadership. I have two questions that maybe you or others can answer. First is about the online-synchronous learning. I am not in the continental US. When I talked on the phone with the leadership department today, they said I could talk to my professors about just watching the videos afterward since I will likely not be able to make it in real-time because of my job and the time zones. BUT, they said this would be something I would have to discuss with each teacher. This makes me nervous. I know for a fact I won't be able to make these classes in real time. I'm worried I'll get a professor who demands that I be there for all or some of the live sessions. Any thoughts or insight? //// Second question. I'm currently enrolled in my second EdD class at Liberty and obviously want to look to switch to UC's PhD program. At Liberty, I'm able to just plug along at 1 class per 8-week period and will be done in 3 years. The UC leadership department said I would not be able to complete the program in 3 years if I just do one class at a time. If I do more than one class, (1) how difficult will that be? I mean in practical terms. How many hours of work per day or week, for example. I'm just worried more than one class at a time might be overload with my work and family situation. Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you might have.