University of the Potomac ABD completion programs

The University of the Potomac offers three ABD completion programs: DBA, Ed.D., and DCS (computer science).

https://potomac.edu/degree-programs/doctor/

See the attached file for more info on the ABD programs.

 

It seems their approval is only one Doctorate program for Business.

https://www.msche.org/institution/0142/

APPROVED CREDENTIAL LEVELS
The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

• Postsecondary award (< 1 year)
• Associate's Degree or Equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
• Master's Degree or Equivalent
• Doctor's Degree- Research/ScholarshipA
• pproved to offer ONE program at this credential level: Doctor of Business Administration

 

Is it normal for institutions to be asked to provide information and then need to revise and resubmit? They've got a lot of action going on in their accreditation record.

I did see this (see p.7) : https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/service_content/attachments/Jan.%2016%2C%202020%20Secretary%20Signed%20Minutes.pdf

The DC government gave them authorization "to add Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Technology, Doctor of Computer Science, Doctor in Business Management, and Doctor of Education." Their one-year conditional approval expired January 15, 2021. I wonder if they got renewed.

In the January 2020 meeting (see above) they got a one year conditional authorization.

In the March 2020 meeting (https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/service_content/attachments/20-03%2C%20March%205%2C%202020%20Secretary%20Signed%20Minutes.pdf) UOTP is not mentioned.

In the May 2020 meeting (https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/service_content/attachments/20-05%2C%20May%2014%2C%202020%20Secretary%20Signed%20Minutes.pdf) they got approval for "1. Doctor of Education 2. Doctor of Computer Science 3. Doctor of Business Administration 4. Master of Geospatial Information Technology 5. Bachelor in Geospatial Information Technology 6. Bachelor of Criminal Justice 7. Associate in Criminal Justice" for veterans-funding, and were noted as being on a reciprocity list with another state (Virginia, I assume, where they're actually headquartered.)

In the July 2020 meeting (https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/service_content/attachments/July%209%2C%202020%20%2820-09%29%20Public%20Meeting%20Notes.pdf) UOTP was mentioned, but just to talk about COVID mitigation plans, and that they've agreed to accept the students from Statford University on Teach-Out.

In the September 2020 meeting (https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/service_content/attachments/9.21.20%20Public%20Meeting%20Notes.pdf) they mention they're providing 100% online schooling because of COVID.

 

Not that non-profit/public universities and colleges are much better, but for-profit colleges should stay away. So many of them changing ownerships and closures. Look at Northcentral University and Trident at American InterContinental University (Touro University International, TUI University, Trident University International).

 

I really like the look of NCU, but this board really dislikes it. I'm aiming for Old Dominion University (ODU) but there are only a few options for an online PhD in Public Policy: ODU, NCU, and Liberty.

 

I partially agree with you! Mark Zuckerberg might not start Facebook if he did not go to Harvard, even he dropped out. Bill Gates might not have started Microsoft Corporation if he did not attend Harvard.

 

What role did Harvard play in their success? Neither have degrees from that school.

 

Rule of five impact. As Steve mentioned, the selectivity of schools like Harvard, surround you with a greater concentration and propensity for people who are well connected, ambitious, or exceptional. If your’re around five influential individuals who are chasing dreams of start ups, and more importingly - executing, you’re drastically inclined to consider or be supported with pursuing similar actions. It’s why break through, start ups, etc, all tend to occur in clusters, success and ambition is a breeding ground.

 

They met the people they started their billionaire businesses with on those campuses. Google's PageRank algorithm had its genesis in Larry Page's Stanford PhD thesis. Facebook was originally about meeting and learning about other Harvard students. The role those schools played in their founders later success is undeniable.

 

My viewpoint was brought up by Dustin. I could be something like Mark Zuckerberg as I started a social media site in 1999. But I joined the Marine Corps, and my life was in a different direction. If I went to a good college with a good connection would have a major impact on social media. Instead of completing my Computer Science degree at Troy University Online; where I started coding in a World War I barracks at MCB Camp Pendleton.

 

All good reasoning. I was looking at things from a different perspective.

 

They still have virtually no information on their website, but I saw an advertisement on social media. You can possibly finish in less than one year. They are similar to Baker College in that your doctoral program doesn't have to be in the same subject as the programs they offer. They'll review your transcripts at all levels and determine which program will be best for you based on your background and goals.

 

I know I tend to miss the obvious, but I don't understand this list.

• Northcentral still exists. It has joined the National University consortium, but it still operates as a separate university
• American Intercontinental still operates (but has had some issues lately). Trident is affiliated with it (perhaps owned by it)
• Touro University International still operates, as does the separate Trident (which is the same as TUI)

The Touro--TUI--Trident thing is a little weird, but not so bad. Touro College started a for-profit branch in California, calling it Touro University International. It fell under their Middle States accreditation. Ultimately, this was sold off and became (first) TUI and, later, Trident. Touro then started a new Touro University International.

So, some odd things, but nothing as tumultuous as a school closure or the complete elimination of a school's identity (like what happened to USIU or the University of Sarasota).

 

Maybe looking at the curricula would help.

 

They are mainly professional Doctorate degrees focus on practitioners, not scholars. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) can use alternative publication over a final dissertation. However, each university/college has its own curriculum that approves by the accreditor as mention by Chrismj18.

 

What Tekman said, with one small adjustment.

Professional doctorates are focused on praxis (practice), not scholarship. Thus, they are not expected to make original, scholarly contributions. (Creating, adding to, or refining theory.) However, they're just as hard to do because they focus on advancing practice with original research that is expect to be rigorous and valuable.

Professional doctorates typically conclude with a dissertation, but as Tekman points out, some programs offer alternatives to the traditional dissertation. Expect the work to be comparable in size, complexity, difficulty, etc., however.