University of the Cumberlands Online PhD in Information Technology

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Marcus Aurelius, Jan 29, 2018.

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  1. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    So far, I love this entire page of posts. It gives a very convincing impression that U. Cumberlands is, at best, mediocre. Which must mean that everyone who has raved about U. Cumberlands is also mediocre.

    Bring out the hip-high boots . . .

    BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
     
  2. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    This seems tailored for F1 compliance, and I can't see a consistent purpose for "Applied learning practicum" course other than legitimizing CPT and stretching the course load to meet F1 full time attendance requirement - seeing how there are 100% online versions of the same degrees where this doesn't exist. So yep, it looks like Cumberlands is doing it. And I must say, kudos to them.
     
  3. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Do my children have "typical American names"? What does that even mean?

    I think it's plausible that UoC graduate programs are attended by a lot of people from India and China. These same demographics constitute about 50% of all grad students in America - much more in STEM fields. I attended a "state preeminent" University, face-to-face. There were more than 3 "typical Americans" (which I read as "WASP") among fellow students - but far, far from majority. As I pointed out, most faculty members, and all recent hires in that top-100 program are immigrants - and these are all highly published products of top schools.
     
  4. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    That might be true, but do you really want to start a degree prestige contest here? Want links to some threads on the Chronicle forum trashing Union?

    P. S. I strongly suspect Dr. Bear would win "the highest-ranking PhD program graduate" contest.
     
  5. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Apologies; here's the link:
    https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/graduate/programs/executive-program-format
    This is not different from what NWPU is doing, although I'm willing to bet Cumberlands does it better, as it has more to lose.
    I must say I rather enjoy the whole "visa mill" moral panic. Nothing like the good old CIS ranting about a relatively small bunch of educated Asians who are in the country legally.
     
  6. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    I fully agree. In fact, both Rich Douglass and I have trashed Union in the years since it allegedly cleaned up its act by selling its soul, and neither of us would recommend Union today. I was lucky enough to attend Union at its peak, but after their hassles with OBR they lost the magic they once had. But that's another discussion, and we've already had it on this forum.
    I agree with that as well, but I would include you in the list, Stanislav. You both went the traditional route in your doctorates, , John having done so at a time when no other options were available at the doctoral level. But today there is a plethora of options and methodologies available, some of which are pure prostitution, some of which are a joke (like totally online programs), some of which are designed to trade off on foreign student visa or other government financing, and some of which are simply mediocre. A few of them are getting it right (and I will not name them), but they're for-profit and I won't endorse them based on philosophical grounds.

    So which non-traditional doctorate programs would I recommend today? Quite frankly, none of them. And if I had to do a Ph.D. today instead of when I graduated from Union 27 years ago, in which program would I enroll? Again, none of them. But I can laugh my ass off at those that are now in U. Cumberlands, raved about U.C. to the point of shilling, and are now reading apparently reputable accounts of U.C.'s whoredom. (Especially the ones who purport to be liberal but sold their souls by enrolling in a school as homophobic as U.C.)

    I'm sorry, I can't hold it back . . .

    BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
     
    CalmLogic likes this.
  7. CalmLogic

    CalmLogic New Member

    Bingo. Same reason I avoid Grand Canyon University, Liberty University, etc.
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Agreed. And they've clearly thought this through in that they have a center specifically for this program located right across the street from the Cincinnati airport so that students can take advantage of CPT in cities like Chicago or New York and pop over for weekend residencies.
     
  9. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Hehehe. Try describing Union process "at its peak" to almost any full-time academic, complete with you recruiting adjuncts to be on your committee, and making up your own concentration - the rants will never stop. For added effect, tell them you were able to sail through the program in two years, at a distance - or how Dr. Douglas was allowed back after dropping out for years.

    We on this forum should be smarter than that, though.
     
  10. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Right. Admirable commitment to the process.

    I would bet Cumberlands would prefer the general public to not be too aware about this side of their academic enterprise, though. People tend not to like things like that - especially after Tri-Valleys of the world got caught doing outright fraud with day 1 CPT.
     
  11. graduate

    graduate Member

    Just out of curiosity, you intended to pursue a 2nd Ph.D? (My guess would be you must be already EDD or JD), anyhow when you short list or finally chose any institution for a Ph.D, please share here as well. Your suggestion would be surely precious and valuable for someone as confused as any UofC non F1 student can be, like me.
     
  12. graduate

    graduate Member

  13. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    So far my experience with UC had been pretty good. I did a MS from DSU in information systems and the course rigor at UC is on par. I am about to wrap up my last couple courses in the program and start the dissertation in January. Yes, there are a lot of foreign students in the program, but I am not concerned. If students cheat, they will be given zeros on assignments and eventually fail or drop out of the program. My concern is with me getting through the program, not others.
     
  14. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    New Doctor of Information Technology launching soon at the City University of Seattle.

    "City University of Seattle's Technology Institute invites applications for a full time (1.0 FTE) Program Director who will serve as program lead for a newly-created Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) program. The DIT program will prepare graduates to serve as faculty members in computer science and engineering, information science, or information systems departments and/or fill senior technical and managerial roles in public, private, military and civilian government organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Consistent with the mission and values of City University of Seattle, the DIT program will offer high quality and relevant learning experiences through a flexible format that will allow information technology professionals to remain employed while pursuing the DIT degree."
     
  15. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

  16. graduate

    graduate Member

    I tested another course this time, and it was not less than a 440 volt shock especially after going through some of the comments I read above.
    I'm into Inferential Statistics and in Week-1 recording, I can see Nine names in chat window, all (but one )sounds pure 'American'.
    I think the folks who are abusing the program enroll in bulk in the courses to manipulate the quiz(s)/exam(s)/assignment(s).
    I presume the leadership program would be much different (different=better) than the IT one with less issues as pointed out above by some fellows including an adjunct. I suggest to take the course as enrollment is still open , you may get motivated like me.:)
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  17. graduate

    graduate Member

    + there is an option of testing out (more motivation)especially if you are good in Stats, you may enroll now and then in next couple of days just gave an exam to get an extra 3 credits.
     
  18. vishwa swaroop

    vishwa swaroop New Member

    How was your program? I'm thinking to apply for it.
     
  19. PhD4Oldman

    PhD4Oldman New Member

    Hello everybody,

    I've just been admitted to the PhD IT at University of Cumberlands and will start on March 2019. After reading all above comments and did lots of research on UC vs. other schools; I decided to go with UC anyway. From my observation, people do look down on online PhDs, so unless you attending a brick&mortar university, all online schools are the same to me. Too bad TEKMAN and Onlymybest dropped out UC. They've been switching schools several times, and lost lots of money and time.

    I work fulltime for a DOD company in Washington DC and the employer pays for my study. I'm taking PhD not for employment promotion nor money incensement. I'm taking it purely for my professional development and personal interests. Also for a long term (post retirement) plan; which is teaching as a tenure at a local college for fun (of course for extra money).

    So is there anybody in this forum still going strong with UC?
     
  20. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I believe that Steve Foerster is still involved so you can chat him up about the school.

    Once upon a time all these programs didn't exist and it was a major development when a school developed an online/DL degree program at any level. Now it's commonplace and some people have begun to ask if the market is saturated and the online degree rush is over.

    https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/saturation-point.53345/

    I don't care for the UC because of the whole religious thing but I'm not prepared to say it's a bad school. It is what it is. It's a lower tier school that has developed a bunch of online degree programs, probably as a way to remain viable and survive. Good for them. A little innovation, change a bit with the times, etc. But there's another thing happening concurrently and that's degree/credential inflation. The result of easier access (virtually open admissions policies + 100% online programs) is that an increased number of people are hitting the market with these degrees. I would have a question as to whether a PhD from UC will get you that tenure track job at your local college. It will be even worse by the time you finish. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I'm in my own process under very similar conditions. But the info we get (such as it is) suggests that an online doctoral degree from a lower tier school may not be seen as being especially competitive when it comes to those teaching jobs. So do your homework and go in with your eyes open. Despite being one of the least expensive degrees, it's still a lot of money and a lot of time/effort. You want to have some assurance that it will be well-spent.
     

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