NCU or Walden Ph.D.?

Are you going to let one person known as "By: Anonymous" decide for you? I have completed 9 classes (I think) and only had an issue with one instructor. He really sucked. Overall, I have enjoyed the school, the courses, and the support.

Take one class and judge for your self.

 

The true measure will be the research the students conduct and the contributions they make. The coursework--vital to bachelor's and master's programs--isn't that big of a deal, IMHO. No one give a damn what courses you took, but they do care about your research.

 

Problem is it's not just one person. It seems to be an oft-repeated, no-axe-to-grind opinion. Obviously there are many who are also pleased with their experiences at NCU.

 

I'm pretty close to the end at NCU. I've got degrees from traditional universities and, hopefully, will get a non-traditional degree at NCU. In retrospect, I simply got my tickets punched with all those degrees. Other then achieving personal satisfaction, who cares that I have those degrees? Nobody!!! It's not that big of a deal. When it's all said and done, what good are the degrees??? That depends on what the degrees are in. What good is a Masters in Criminal Justice (I have one)??? I can teach with it and I can apply for a job as a chief, but I have no interest in being a chief, so my utility is somewhat limited. I'm glad I got the degrees, but they're not all their cracked up to be!!!! I have a degree in thus & such and you don't!!! Naa naaa naaa nah naaaa!!! A specialized esoteric degree could be a money-maker, like an MD or the like -- but I didn't get an advanced esoteric degree.

Regarding a degree from NCU: It's true that it's what you make it. You don't have traditional lectures, so you miss-out on that kind of learning. Since the "mentors" aren't providing in-class lectures, it's a completely different experience from a traditional program. In retrospect, I learned more "stuff" from NCU, but I made more "contacts" and had more personal experiences with others from my traditional in-resident degrees. Which is more valuable??? That probably depends on the degree that one obtains. Either way, both tickets (degrees) were punched, both the in-resident and the soon-to-be external degree.

Nobody is going to hold your hand at NCU. There's nobody to laugh and joke with, so it could be a somewhat lonely experience. You might even question: "Is this what an education is all about??? Is this what learning is all about??? What's the purpose of completing these assignments??? Will I experience personal growth if I 'follow through' with this endeavor???" Those can be tough questions to answer in your personal journey. If you quit, then what did you achieve? What's the alternative of quitting? The assignments are provided and it's up to you to complete them. It's pretty plain and simple and you'll get out of it what you put into it. It's certainly not fancy. Interaction with "mentors" is limited, due to the program structure ie. that's the nature of all non-resident "distance" courses. Here are your textbooks and here are your assignments -- now do the work!!! What??? Is that what this is all about??? Wasn't I supposed to be awed and inspired by all of this??? Where's the great white light at the end of the tunnel??? Again, it goes back to which is more valuable: developing contacts and experiencing personal relationships at an in-resident degree program OR learning volumes of "stuff" in a DL program. Both programs are "ticket punching" degree granting programs.

A bigger question is research. Is any DL institution really equipped to teach students how to conduct research??? I'm inclined to think not and, subsequently, I speculate that the attrition rate is significantly higher at DL institutions once students get to the research/dissertation phase. But since I don't have access to any statistics, I don't have any concrete answers. Either way, all doctoral programs are too hard and since the attrition rate is 50 to 70% at in-resident programs (once students get to the dissertation phase), we could also ask how effective they are at teaching students how to conduct research! Obviously not very good if the attrition rate is 50 to 70%!!! My advice: If you're having those kinds of doubts about enrolling in a doctoral program at NCU, then don't enroll because I can promise you that doing a dissertation is not a bowl of cherries. It's frankly an ugly, mind-bending experience that isn't for everyone, especially for those who are having doubts about the legitimacy of the program at the very beginning of it. Don't do it because I can assure you that you will not only question the program once you hit the dissertation, but you will question your sanity as well!!!

Coursework is easy in all traditional and non-traditional programs IMNSHO, but dissertation work is mind-bending and forever changes those who quit, as well as those who finish.

 

Yeah...what "me again" said

 

Our program at the CLMS spends the first year specifically preparing students for the researh process. As a result, the CLMS says the attrition rate is rather low; the rigor of the research comes as no surprise. I have some first hand experience with such things, and I concur.

So, yes, I do believe research skills can be learned via DL. We do it all the time.

 

I also believe research skills can be learned via DL. DSU's doctoral program requires each student take four research courses and six one-credit seminar courses. The seminar courses are designed to get the student thinking and researching a dissertation topic early on in the program. The four research courses focus on various research techniques and research methods: an intro to research (usually taken during the first semester), quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, and design science research methods.

 

It is not possible to make valid generalized statements regarding the superiority of any doctoral program, such as those with residencies, over those that do not.

For instance there appears to be a general misperception regarding the distinct advantage of attending a school that offers residencies versus those doctoral programs that do not require them. For some students there are benefits from attending residencies and such individuals thrive and seek ongoing support and interaction with faculty and fellow students. However based on my experiences at one of the top three distance doctoral programs (I would rather not mention the school) and discussions with a number of fellow doctoral students I found that many could not give a hoot about forming any networking with their peers or any ongoing continuity or to learn anything of value from the seminars (a number of which were superfluous). Their primary focus was to meet residency attendance requirements, say hello to their mentors in order to kiss arse with the objective of completing the doctorate as expeditiously as possible in order to maintain their teaching jobs at universities, for promotion possibilites, for licensure, etc, etc! In fact the overriding feedback that was shared by many doctoral students at one of these two week residencies was that the mentors provided limited individual attention and marginal useful feedback that was not congruent with their expectations of a highly interactive environment that we were led to believe we would receive.

Secondly it is important to note that students with certain personality typologies may feel very comfortable working in isolation with minimal contact with faculty while they complete their doctoral studies while other students need ongoing stimulation from frequent interactions with mentors and peers to complete their graduate programs. Just another reason why each of us has to do our homework very carefully prior to investing our money and time into a doctoral program that may sound good but not be in line with who we are and how we learn.

 

I have found the opposite as a result of my doctoral residencies at one of the top distance schools. There is a group of us that started friendships that continue still as we constantly interact over the net even though we have gone on with our degrees. Maybe it matters that our group was part of a preselected type of individual that treasures connection with others. We were all from the "Family Psychology" specialization.

 

As CLEARLY stated in my post, there are individuals who benefit from such residencies. However, the crux of my post was to note that no generalities can be made as to any distinct superiority of any doctoral program with residencies versus those that are offered entirely online. It depends on the personality typology and learning style of the student, the level of their needs for a highly interactive learning environment as well as the level of need for support emanating from frequent interactions with mentors/faculty and peers.

 

Another choice - NSU

Sam - just a thought - what about Nova Southeastern? Of all the schools mentioned in this thread, NSU is the most likely to achieve AACSB accreditation soon. Depending on what you hope to do with your degree this may be an important factor.

Regards - Andy

 

Ncu

Lots of discussion going on all over now about a possible sale of NCU to University of Phoenix. I think many are fearful something is in the works because of all the recent management shakeup at NCU. Are they getting ready to sell? Does Phoenix want NCU's psych program? There are many questions students and alumni are asking right now. I haven't discussed NCU with anyone who would like a Phoenix deal to push forward.

Me Again seems to have a lot of info out here regarding NCU. Maybe he can chime in on the discussion.

Bing

 

Bing, I have'nt seen any discussions on any forums regarding the possible sale of NCU to UOP. Is this a recent development? Simon

 

And where did you hear this wild rumor, bingy?

 

It's being discussed on the NCU site and on the yahoo NCU groups. Will UoP purchase or will EDMC purchase? Those are the questions being asked out there. Or...are they just bringing in new management to better compete?

Bing

 

And EDMC is ... ?

 

http://www.edmc.edu/ Looks like they own Argosy and a few other schools.

They have had a rather large management shakeup of late. I do believe the new president came from UoP. That's about all I know.

Bing

 

Argosy University, Art Institutes, Brown-Mackie College, and South University

 

Have any of these students actually heard anything from the management of NCU itself? Unless and until that happens, 6the student's word is worth no more than anyone else's wild speculations.

 

I think something is up there. They brought in new management. They just laid off employees. If NCU is expanding then it doesn't make sense to lay people off unless you are shopping it around. NCU University maybe?

Bing