Northcentral University Reviews

NCU: A fine university

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on July 6, 2009

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NCU is a fine university that has a strong academic focus. At the same time, I agree it is NOT for everybody. Students of distance learning programs ARE expected to be comfortable with a high degree of self-directed study. I did my Masters from a reputable and traditional B&M (via distance learning) so I can tell you that the NCU experience was even more challenging and worthy. I am proud of my time spent at NCU.

In this post, I want to address some of the common concerns regarding NCU: they are mostly related to lack of hand-holding and the dissertation process. 

Concerning the lack of hand-holding, I am somewhat surprised that some post-graduate learners still require a significant amount of hand-holding. If this is the case, then you should examine whether academic post-graduate study is right for you as opposed to getting professional certification in your field. This is NOT meant as any disrespect to any individual - its just that some people like self-study and others thrive well in a regulated environment. Perhaps it is the failing of some under-graduate programs to inadequately prepare the expectation of some students for post-graduate study.

Concerning the dissertation process - I have read, talked to, and shared the NCU experience with other doctoral learners. Those reading this may want to choose NOT to believe this, but IT IS GENERALLY THE SAME EVERYWHERE. Please do NOT expect a doctorate to be handed to you on a platter. YES, some professors are better, and some are not. Some school reviewers are tougher, and others are less stringent. Some professors are the greatest scholars but some of these left their teaching brains in the other jacket at home.

Is NCU perfect? No. Can it improve? FOR SURE. The school should improve. The professors should improve. The administration should improve. And hey, I'm guessing, ... some of their students could improve themselves too. 

For the esteemed readers reading my post, let me pose two questions: (1) Why does one study for a PhD? (2) What is the purpose of a PhD program? If the ONLY answer you have was so that people can call you "Dr", then you still have a long way to go.

To all the NCU / online-education bashers out there, please earn your doctorate from a RA-school, then come back and maybe some of us will take you a bit more seriously.

Finally, to the rest of you pursuing your degree at NCU or other online schools, BE ENCOURAGED. Online learning requires a high degree of independence and self-study. You are all people of a certain quality but you must persevere and complete the program. Nothing that is of value is easy; and great success is only attained through much tears and toil. I wish you all the very best!

NCU no more

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on April 9, 2009

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This school is a waste of your time and money. If you want to do Doctorate degree, seek for a well established state University not one with 100% online. What do you plan to do with your PhD or DBA after graduated? Teaching? too bad, NCU PhD graduate is not up to the standard to teach in other state universities. But you can try your luck with NCU. May be, to use that Online Phd degree to get an executive position? Unfortunately, most executive position do not require PhD degree. Even if a company is looking for a PhD candidate to fill a position, it wouldn't be NCU.

From personal experience, the homework turnaround is more than 24 hours. Some courses simply lack of students where the lecture do not bother to do anything. I have been in a DBA course with only 3 students, 2 dropped and I was the only one left. Requesting more information on assignment will get response 2 days later and only couple days left to finish up a 20 pages paper with strict guidelines. This school has dropped the writting assistance in the middle of my program. I have to pay local writting professional for editing for couple of my courses. Those costs added up fast!

Also, just wait till you want to get out of the school, you will be charged with all kind of fees. Withdrawing from NCU will be more expensive than registering.

NCU has one advantage I must admit. They have very good online research library. But hey, you pay big money for it and expecting to solely use it for the rest of the program. Most professors have unknown degree to teach a class. English major is teaching OB???? I am expecting to learn real Organization Behavior from the professor not from textbook. I don't need to pay someone to tell me what to read. I am an executive and what I need is real world example. I have 0 discussion in my OB course. Just read the chapters and write papers every week to get through. 

Be real, NCU is not a university, it is a company there to make profit !

Dissertation process

By: chuck (In Progress) on January 27, 2009

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I see a few negative complaints regarding the dissertation process. I suggest you speak to those who got Ph.D.s at traditional state universities: they have the same complaints. A Ph.D. is SUPPOSED to be gruelling.  The dissertation process is the heart of that.  The classes are just prepping you for dissertation.  And there are PLENTY of people leaving state universities as A.B.D. and never completing the dissertation.  So what you describe at NCU is typical. Ph.D. dissertations are demanding, take time, sometimes one has to start over. I met a physics grad student at the University of Oklahoma who had been working on his dissertation for four years!!!  So compare NCU to state universities...

Air Force John Discusses NCU!

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on January 23, 2009

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For reasons unspoken here, I considered myself extremely experienced in researching the credentials of universities and taking note of superb, excellent customer service. Since I have dealt with NCU and enrolled into their Ph.D. Psychology program, I have to say that it has been the best experience to date! The staff are knowledgable and quick turn every question I have had about my degree plan. Trust me when I say that if you are looking for a solid university who is regionally accredited and cannot afford to attend time consuming residencies like so many other online institutions require, then NCU is the place for you! Take advantage of the great programs at NCU with their monthly start ups and outstanding staff, you will not regret it!

NCU ED.D in Curriculum & Instruction

By: the_bryants (In Progress) on December 17, 2008

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I am in the dissertation process of my Ed.D at NCU. I am also a NBCT. Had I not gone through the writing process of National Boards, I would not have been able to handle the rigor of the program. So far, it has taken 3 years. I, too, do not understand the person who is critical of NCU. The format is rigorous, exciting & worthwhile. I recommend it to all but be prepared to work your tail off!!

Confused

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 6, 2008

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I'm confused on some of the reviews. I just checked the Dissertation Center at NCU. Thirty-nine learners have graduated with doctorate degrees since June 2008. All had to complete a dissertation. I'm in the process of getting final approval on mine, and do agree it is a tough process, and looking back I'm not sure if I would do it again. Nonetheless, it is doable and there is no brick wall that I can see. I'll comment back in a few months to confirm, or verify previous writings on this discussion board.

NCU Rigor

By: jerry.green (In Progress) on June 16, 2008

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I graduated with a B.Sc. and M.A. from traditional B&M universities. I have found that the rigor required to succeed at NCU is at least as difficult if not more so. Recently, after four years of rigorous study, I’ve earned doctoral candidacy status at NCU, the ABD stage in my journey. My dissertation committee members all teach at very reputable universities across the country, in addition to teaching at NCU, and one is also a director with the APA. They require no less of me than one of their students completing a dissertation from their B&M school. Change seems more difficult for some people, nonetheless however, over-time, fewer and fewer people will leave their home to attend school. Regionally accredited universities, such as NCU, are at the forefront of this imminent change.

My experience at NCU

By: langewasheb22 (Graduate) on February 28, 2008

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I just finished my studies at NCU.  I was in the doctoral program in education. I have to say that when I started with Dr. Hollywood, the experience was absolutely great. After three years, Dr. H. was gone. I spoke with her after her termination and she told me the new president told her the school was going in a different direction. Well, I am one to give everything a chance, but the new direction was one of chaos and lack of support. Thank god I was almost finished, because quite honestly if I was just starting, I would have gotten the heck out of there. I wouldn't recommend the university to anyone, and I had recommended it to no less than 5 friends.  Now I heard that they only got 3 years of reaffirmation, which I understand in the world of accreditation is not good. Of course, it is better than probation, but not a sign of confidence. Luckily I am out with an accreditated degree. The place it is now isn't the place it was, and that is a shame. We had a honor society in the school, which I understand there is no support for any longer. The new provost has completely turned the place upside down. I am an Ed.D. and he has been quoted as saying that Ed.D. are inferior to Ph.D's. Inferior? No just different in focus. There are no faculty left. Now they use all adjuncts. The service with the dissertation has become a nightmare. My friends who are in dissertation are now waiting weeks and weeks for feedback and no one seems to know who is on first or second base. 
I would not recommend NCU, and I hate saying that given I am now an alum.

NCU and the future of online degrees

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on February 24, 2008

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I've read a lot of these reviews about NCU.  Many are true and many are false, but perception is reality in the eyes of the beholder.  

Basically, NCU is an online correspondence school:
- NCU gives the student the assignment 
- the student does it 
- the student turns it in for grading 
- at the end, a grade is given 
- and, hopefully, a degree is obtained.

There are no lectures (like at a Brick & Morter University) and there is no student interaction.  The only interaction I got from mentors was after I completed an assignment -- then the mentor would provide constructive criticism, along with a grade.  If I needed help, then I found answers on my own i.e. there is no one to babysit you or to hold your hand.  Once I got to the dissertation phase, then I talked to the mentor via telephone to get a basic idea of what his expectations were.

I have a MA from a traditional Brick & Morter school, so I have a basis of comparison from which to compare NCU.  I learned more knowledge at NCU, but I made more "community connections" at my Brick & Morter school.  Which is more advantageous? I'm not sure, but either way: both schools will provide a regionally accredited degree.  

Many NCU students seem to be complaining that NCU is nothing more than a correspondence school because NCU simply provides the assignments and the student completes them with little to no supervision.  The only way around this dilemma is to enroll in a traditional Brick and Morter university where there is plenty of instructor-student interaction, as well as student-student interaction.  Some people need this kind of interaction, while others don't need it at all to obtain a degree.  I also took a class at the University of Phoenix online and, frankly, I didn't get anything out of the "group projects;" nor did I get anything out of the "group postings" where we had to make a "quality post" for others to read.  It was silly.  NCU bypasses that and allows  students to work on their own, which I prefer; but conversely, I really enjoyed the interaction that I got while obtaining a MA degree at a Brick & Morter school.

The 21st Century is the "information age" and all of these online schools are unfolding before our very eyes.  Is it the wave of the future?  Time will tell.  It's probably going to be contingent on:
1. the students' perceived value of the degrees
2. the community's perceived value of the degrees
3. the long-term sustained profitability of online institutions
4. the regional accreditors

My .02

NCU

By: cpe590s03 (In Progress) on February 22, 2008

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Excellent school. I am currently enrolled in their Ph.D. program and am very happy with the school. Classes are not easy but the mentors are very helpful.

Be prepared to work.  If you need your hand held and you cannot figure things out on your own, then maybe NCU is not for you.

Overall I am pleased.

NCU- an honest review

By: kierstin6 (In Progress) on February 10, 2008

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Northcentral university AACSB & regionally accredited. A quality education for people who are self starters! I'm a PhD student. The educational rigor received at NCU has expanded my knowledge more than ground education ever did. The reason for this is I make the schedule so I am "awake" and "focused".

You must be self-directed and internally motivated to learn. Highly organized comes to mind too. You have to be willing to pick up the phone and call your mentors and facilitators when you need something. Most call back within 24-48 hours and I have taken 18 courses all with different facilitators.  But, with anything there are better facilitators than others-JUST LIKE IN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL! 

BOTTOM LINE: The school is great & they have some of the best facilitators and mentors. In all things, we all relate differently to people. Sometimes we don't relate to how someone explains something to us at all. So, you must take the initiative and find someone who can explain it to you!

I went to University of Phoenix for my MBA and did not enjoy the experience. I learned a lot but, the school was too structured. Lots of busy work. Maybe that is better for some people.

Many can attest that there is nothing worse than waking up for an 8am class at a traditional school after working until 4am because it's the only time the school offers it that semester! Half asleep makes your grade suffer but you do it because if you don't you will be in school on a 6 year or 7 year plan. 



Some bloggers on this site have blown my mind! Why are you stating that purposeful over inflation of their school ratings because they question the "worth." Online education continues to grow because professionals cannot go back to the "struggling student status" and need the education for promotion and wage increase. Anyone who "questions the education worth" should really go to brick and mortar schools. Why waste your time and money for convenience and the ability to keep your job instead of becoming a poor student again? Better yet, why over inflate? Just be honest, why aide hurting others if you believe your education was not good enough? People blow my mind. It is no wonder we have so many problems in this country!

If you have interest on how you can find other legit online schools check out www.myspace.com/kierstin6

Northcentral University

By: langewasben22 (In Progress) on February 10, 2008

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Trying to be objective, I found NCU to be a disappointment. Already having a master in education, I went into the school of education because I heard so many wonderful things about the program and the mentors. Well two months after I enroll, the entire school of education faculty and chair are gone. The person who recruited me, Dr. LeBeau was terrific and she was terminated. So, I am now leaving and taking my credits and transferring to Walden. This is not what I signed up for!I don't know what they are doing, but all of a sudden I was locked out of a class, lost my mentor, no one communicated with me, and the new chari doesn't seem to have a clue. Sorry, but I won't be treated shabby just because the tuition is low. Besides, I can get financial aid at other schools.
Ben

Great for Self-Directed Learners!

By: tfelke (In Progress) on February 2, 2008

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I'm a doctoral student at Northcentral University and the online learning mentoring approach has worked well for me. Most of the mentors I've worked with have responded within a day to my questions and assignments. Their feedback was helpful and encouraging. The course work and assignments push you to develop and use higher order thinking skills. I've been surprised at how much I've learned in the program. I recommend NCU to any student who is mature, self-directed, and motivated to earn a degree.

Good experience

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on January 25, 2008

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I am in my 5th course through Northcentral University, Prescott AZ, in the PhD Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration.  I am very satisfied with this program, and have found that the books and research articles have been informative and provided useful information with my client population.  Out of 5 instructors, I have had only one that I had significant difficulty reaching through email, three who were accessible and provided sound feedback regarding assignments, and one instructor who I consider one of the most engaged and motivating instructor I have ever had.  This instructor's feedback on assignments has truly helped me be a more accomplished writer.  My academic advisor promptly emailed me or called me, and I have had numerous phone calls with library staff to help walk me through a problem finding articles.  While my undergraduate and graduate degrees were from B&M schools, most nobably Wake Forest University, I believe that I am  the most important part of  my education,and have found Northcentral willing to help me reach my academic goals. 

Northcentral U.'s regional accreditation is also a major reason I chose them.  They are not AAMFT accredited, which is the accrediting body of my profession.  If I were not already licensed in my field, this would have hindered me from attending, but being licensed, my degree will have merit because it is from a regionally accredited university.

I recommend Northcentral without reservation.

What a program??

By: samcbrian (In Progress) on January 11, 2008

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just started my program and i can't get hold of anyone(mentors) tuition rate is good but the support you get is zero. NCU administrators do something.

Vested Interest

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on January 10, 2008

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I have just started my degree program - so I have little VESTED INTEREST in giving this university an inflated rating (In other words, I haven't gotten half way through my degreee program and have double posted high marks because I'm concerned what my degree will be worth 2 years from now). The good: it's cheap, easy to get in, never have to leave your house.  The bad: you do all the work with little to no support, the academic advisors are nice until they get your tuition, and the "mentors" I have come in contact with treat you like an elementary school student. The argument that people who have trouble at NCU aren't cut out to be "self-directed learners" is interesting. If NCU interprets self-directed as "we don't have to give you any academic guidance" then they should delete the propaganda from their website which states otherwise and start calling the "mentors" "hired part time grade-givers."  Furthermore, the version of self-directed they seem to be using is more similar to the "write a book report on..." assignments that we all did in third grade - and they require a lot of them! From my experience my guess is that the only reason they are still around is that no other institution has come along which offers the same variety of degree programs at such a low cost.

Very Limited Info -- Not Recommended.

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 30, 2007

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I have taken a couple courses at NCU.edu (NorthCentral University, Arizona)

From my experience, this is a quick review.

There is very little to almost no interaction with the mentors (aka professors). They only like to communicate via email. You are almost never able to pick up a phone and call someone. This can be especially challenging if you are taking your 1st set of classes and have questions about the format etc.

The advisors also only provide assistance over web content & always ask you to refer to online documentation. This can get very old very quickly, as my perception is people take online courses as they are limited with the time they have, and would like to get responses fairly quickly.

NCU staff & administration constantly push for students (or learners) to use the NCU messaging system. This is very archaic system that only allows sending messages (messaging) between ncu personnel. Also this message system has no interaction to the outside world .. so if you are travelling & get a message from someone, then you cannot respond from any email client -- you have to log into the NCU webpage & respond.

I am finding that NCU online is very much aloof in terms of assisting students with any program or helping them review materials.

If you were able to pick up a text book, and write an exam, to get a grade, and eventually get a degree -- this is what you will experience at NCU.

It will certainly benefit if NCU put's some effort into their learner's online interface. its a very rudimentary system, put together to get a few students. However, now that they have a lot of student's signing up, it would be good to have a lot of interactive tools.

Hope this information helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Great Program

By: t.sicotte (In Progress) on December 24, 2007

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This is a great program for thos prepared to work. Almost finished my MA and it has been challenging and varied enough to meet my needs. I highly recommned NCU.

Excellence in Distance Learning

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 18, 2007

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You will be hard-pressed to find a credible university that you can earn a bachelors masters or doctorates at with this kind of quality.  NCU allows its students to be anywhere in the world.  I live overseas and have been continuing to earn my degree in business administration at NCU.  I highly recommend this school as it is not only affordable, but actually creates an environment where you can learn.  After attending Illinois State University, I actually like this university better.  I am a terrible test taker and my grades would suffer over confusing multiple choice exams at Illinois State.  At NCU, my exams are in the form of research papers, allowing me to explain myself.  My GPA has gone up considerably and I already have employers lined up for when I graduate this summer.  I love this university.

Watch out

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 13, 2007

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So called Mentor did absolutely nothing to "facilitate" my learning.  Got a generic "welcome aboard" message at the beginning of class along with a list of papers that I had to write.  Zero interaction (other than, here's your grade).  You are at the mercy of your mentor, who by the way you don't get to choose.  Also, check out the incestuous faculty credentials.  My mentor’s replies to my emails (which didn’t answer my questions) included spelling errors and misuse of “big words” – but what do I know, maybe the pace in which assignments are submitted is an “interglacial” part of the learning process.  

I will have to say that this instructor was "new" but her incompetence didn't save me from having to fork over the tuition money.  At $850 plus books, it was a costly "learning experience"!

You are required to use a special email system for all correspondence, which makes me thankful for Outlook.

The learner portion of the website isn't very intuitive.  Eventually I found a site map, which wasn't linked. . .

One of the least expensive degree programs I found.  
Interlibrary loan staff person responded quickly to requests.

Preceding Questions

By: propdrvn (In Progress) on December 12, 2007

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I am a student nearing the end of my MBA program, and I have been satisfied the whole way. I have three other degrees from bricks and mortars universities (Purdue University and Embry-Riddle) and the rigors of NCU academics are on par. 

Just like anything new, there will be plenty of people who don't want to change and/or feel threatened. Remember the old adage "if men were meant to fly, God would have given us wings"? It has been a century now, and I doubt there are many naysayers about that laughable and newfangled idea of flying. Online learning, just like flying, is a new medium for its purpose, and it is just taking off. Some "universities" will do it wrong (which is evidence for the naysayers), but many will do it right. Has train travel gone away because of the airplane? Will bricks and mortars learning go away because of the rise of online learning. I for one, believe that for every "changeaphobe's" steadfast view, it never turns out like they feared. 

Okay, onto the questions about accreditation and the apparent past bankruptcy of the owner. The accreditation issue is not much of an issue at all. Regionally, NCU is accredited in the same organization as Arizona State, University of Arizona, and my alma maters Purdue University and Embry-Riddle. Additionally, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NCU --  (http://www.chea.org/search/actionInst.asp?CheaID=699) and (http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinecourses/a/MBAaccredit.htm) and (http://www.acbsp.org/index.php?module=sthtml&op=load&sid=s1_001).

As for the owner's past bankruptcy, is not bankruptcy a common risk for entreprenuers? A bankruptcy does not a failure make. What I care about as a consumer -- not a student, a consumer -- is that the product I am buying is proven and accepted. The NCU product is exactly that, proven and accepted.

To those people who have their finger on the NCU tuition trigger, put your worries aside. There will always be naysayers out there for any decision you make. Nevermind those armchair quarterbacks. If you've done the research, then YOU have more information than the quarterbacks could ever have, especially those who tried but failed and are disgruntled. 

Remember, this is a business decision for you. Don't treat it like you're in highschool trying to decide which university to go to. Treat it like an investment with a specific anticipated return, even if purely intrinsic (the joy of knowledge for example).

In closing, just remember that the diploma mill threat is not indigenous to the online realm, it just seems like that because it is an easier market to enter than it was 10 years ago. Just go to the links I posted and that should be all the proof you need, for NCU or any other school you are investigating.

Good luck!
Jim

Questions

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 19, 2007

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Experience has been good. Worried about accreditation. Saw through google search owner had bankruptcies before - financial aid was denied due to owner's history with them.

Overall Very Good Institution

By: richard (Graduate) on November 9, 2007

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I am in the process of finishing my eleventh and final master’s course at NCU. I can honestly say that it has been a rigorous process. JA, I am sorry to hear that you feel you have wasted your money on that course, but you may have had a bad professor or simply did not try hard enough in the course. It is very easy to skip much of the reading and slack off on your assignments. However, you will realize that you are not getting away with it once you have to assimilate the knowledge that you should have learned into coherent research papers. This is the reason that some individuals are simply not meant to take online courses; you have to have self-motivation since you do not have a professor force-feeding you material for two hours each day. I can honestly say that I am learning more now that I do my own research on my own time than back when I was attending different brick-and-mortar institutes and zoning out in class. As far as what you said about the academic advisors not returning emails fast enough; I sent an email to my academic advisor (Susan Lohn) at 1532 yesterday and I was reading her reply at 1541. I sent my next reply at 1543 and she replied at 1645. I pretty much always get a reply within an hour or two of sending a question. Unless you expect an instant response, I consider that to be pretty quick. To each their own, and I cannot understand what your exact experience has been. However, mine has been a great one, as has the majority of the learners I have heard from.

V/R
Richard

Negative reviews??

By: propdrvn (In Progress) on October 29, 2007

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I am absolutely flabbergasted by the (very few) negative responses on this board. Only one actually gave ideas on how to improve, the others just ranted and raved like spoiled children who didn't get their way on this item or that item.

NCU has been a blessing in my educational journey. I have a management Masters from another online school that is also a B&M school. That particular school (Embry-Riddle) has one of the top engineering programs in the nation and specifically partnered up with NCU to create a bridge program for doctoral learners and the creation of other Masters programs. I highly doubt a regionally accredited and well respected school such as Embry-Riddle would pick NCU if it did not have the utmost of respect for NCU's programs and efficiencies. 

And by the way, for the individual who referred to the "regional accreditation" of NCU, your sarcasm is completely misplaced and unwarranted. NCU has the exact same accreditation of Arizona's state school system, Embry-Riddle, my undergrad alma mater (Purdue University), and many many others.

NCU is about working professionals trying to improve their careers and/or gain knowledge for more insight into their own profession. There is no hand holding. This is the real world kiddies, and just like the real world, you are assigned the work and told when to have it done. You can always ask for advice from those who know more (NCU mentors), but the direction you take to achieve the goal is yours and yours alone. If you can't take the idea of setting your own direction, then you really have no business being at NCU or any advanced university program for that matter.

Jim

Happy student

By: kbutler777 (In Progress) on October 16, 2007

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I have attended North Central University (NCU) since Jan 2005 and have found that the staff and mentors are there to support the students.  I was nervous at first about online education, but have been very happy with my experience so far at NCU.  I have developed better time management skills and feel that I more self reliant.  I would recommend NCU to anyone that works full time and wishes to continue their education.  It is not an easy path, but very worth while.

Great school - Great Education

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on October 15, 2007

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I have completed 3 degrees from B&M schools, including an MBA. NCU's curriculum is indeed rigorous and appropriate. In my experience at NCU, nothing less than scholarly writing is acceptable. Reading, researching, reflecting, writing, and discussing (asynchronously) keep me very busy for each course. I have been in the PhD Education program since January 2007 and am learning a great deal. My mentors have been timely and thorough in their responses. My advisor has been very helpful in a situation where I had a difficult mentor (every school has some difficult faculty). Overall, I know I am getting a quality education! I strongly encourage anyone seeking an accredited college education to consider NCU.

Dissertation support services in School of busines

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on September 15, 2007

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I just found this blog and wanted to offer some personal insight from personal experience. I am working on my Business PHD at Northcentral. I have a co worker working on her PHD at a well known California state university. We are both in the proposal writing stage. We exchange ideas/swap scare stories as all doctoral students do. I submitted my initial proposal and got recommendations back from my Mentor. My coworker wanted to see areas that I needed to hone prior to resubmitting for the next review. She took the feedback that I had gotten and reviewed her own materials. she has been trying to get an appointment with her 'assigned' Chair for 2 months.  She proudly shared that if she gets through her own doctoral program it will be because of what I have taught her from my NCU learnings/feedback. Is my proposal good yet? No. Does that please me? No. I'm exhausted but I know when I finish, I'll have a product that I will be proud and will publish well. As I see typos/methodology flaws in studies from other schools, I just smile knowing the officials at BTM will not let this happen to me. The doc program at Northcentral is hard but I suspect it is easier than many other schools because of the support systems they provide. While my coworker has waited 2 months to get feedback from her Chair, I got feedback within 2 days (they have to do it in 14 days tho). The School of Business also offers 'chat with the reviewer' teleconferences each month that I (and now my coworker) participate. NCU is all about student support, it hard but they make themselves available.

PhD Program-Psychology

By: bkemery (In Progress) on August 30, 2007

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I am currently attending NCU in the PhD program-psychology and I must admit it has been a wonderful experience--I am really enjoying the distance learning expereince with NCU. The courses are difficult, however, you do learn and the mentors are great!

MBA Public Administration

By: cuvamp (In Progress) on August 19, 2007

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I am currently enrolled in my fourth class at NCU and will start my fifth course in September. I am pursuing a MBA degree with a concentration on Public Administration. I have been totally satisfied with my studies. The course are a bit arduous at times and can require a lot of research and writing, but this challenge you to form an opinion and establish an ideology, which results in learning!
My only problem to date is a very small one; every time you complete a course you get a grade report. This grade report I guess helps students who need proof of studies to be reimbursed by their employee. I do not fall in that category, but my grade report has me affiliated with the US Navy. I am an ex-Navy guy, but have no affiliation and do not get any type of tuition assistance. I sent several e-mails to my advisor and the affiliation still has not been removed. It is not a big deal, but it should be a problem that is easily fixed.
I would recommend NCU to anyone who is looking to advance themselves through gaining more knowledge. The workload is heavy at times and can take up a lot of your free time, however NCU‘s degree is worth it. I look forward to my future classes and hope to advance my educational goals even further!
Ray Vampran

Northcentral University

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on June 18, 2007

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Northcentral U. is one of the best univerities in the country. I have 4 degrees (including a Ph.D.) from 3 others famous universities in the US and I think Northcentral is equall  (If not better) than most of them.
The amount of work required by Northcentral for a Ph.D. degree is around 25% more than it's required by a traditional university.
The mentors participate actively in onluine discussions and dissertation committee works pretty fast compared with traditional universities.
I am very happy I decided to get the 2nd Ph.D. from this universtity.

Rigor and Integrity

By: hans_hinding (In Progress) on June 5, 2007

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I have attended several campus-based public colleges and universities in Canada and the United States throughout my career.  I believe Northcentral University has established a respectable baseline for academic rigor and scholastic integrity as an emerging 21st century online school.  I'm  enrolled part-time in their Ph.D. in Business Administration (MIS specialization) program while employed as a Vice President of Information Technology at a regional financial institution.  This year, the School of Business and Technology Management at Northcentral University achieved programmatic accreditation standing with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (www.acbsp.org) in addition to its standing as a regionally accredited institution (www.chea.org). 

Regards,

Hans J. Hinding, MBA, MBCS

Dissertation

By: hamptonspress (In Progress) on May 2, 2007

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I am concerned.  I am in the middle of completing my specializations and hear that the dissertation process is very long and no one to speak to about it.  I do correspond with many students that are in the process.  They seem very, very disappointed.  The University has a new president, a new Chair for the Bus. Dept. and I hear the mentors are new and usually are of no help.  Maybe we should compile a list of students and go to the Northcentral accreditation region with our grief.  Keep all your e-mail and attempted telephone contacts so if and when this happens we have a leg to stand on.  I think it is lucridous that people write their mentors asking where they stand on their dissertation and they do not get an answer and when they do it is that the chair of the Dept. who does not respond or tel. calls or e-mail needs to approve it.  Let's do something collectively. E-mail me with your concerns.  I have a great deal of experience in the accreditation process and will comply a complaint to them that will get their attention.

Long, Self-Directed Road

By: eekress (In Progress) on April 16, 2007

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I have just completed my Ph.D. program (Psychology) at NCU. It took me nearly 4 full years. I entered the program with two MA's. I work full time and have two teens.

I took one class at a time, taking nearly 1 full year for the dissertation process....data collection, statistical breakdown, writing of dissertation, completion of the oral defense. Whew!!!

NCU worked for me, I could easily contact my Professors, and received quick turnaround on my written work. I only had one negative experience with a Professor, most were helpful, supportive, encouraging. 

The course work was rigorus. I learned a great deal, and feel my degree is well earned. The university is North Central Acredited, I would never have wasted my time if it did not carry this qualification.

If you are looking to expand your education, and do not need the support of face-to-face direction, I would highly recommed this University.

No Way

By: jsavard (In Progress) on April 5, 2007

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I have an undergraduate degree in Engineering and two Masters degrees from name institutions. DO NOT attempt to insinuate that the education offered by Northcentral University is a joke ... the rigor of the curriculum is comprehensive and demanding.

Jim Savard

NCU is a value

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on March 28, 2007

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Certainly there are issues for Learners in the distance learning programs. The value of working when the Learners want means it may be harder to have contact with Mentors, but when one is at the doctoral level contact with Mentors should not be all that necessary until one is in the research/dissertation phase. Anytime I read someone asserting the rigor is not there I have to smile, as it is always on the doer, not the evaluator. If I choose to not apply much I should not expect much, but if I put some muscle into the job, perhaps I will discover the required rigor is greater. Often I figure the naysayers are folks that have difficulty "getting there." If you want to get that doctorate you have been dreaming about, and believe you have what it takes to measure up, give NCU a try. I have every belief you can succeed ... if you want to, and will take the personal steps to ensure it. As is sometimes said ... belly up to the bar.

NCU is a Joke

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on February 26, 2007

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What a joke.  NCU has no rigor.  All of the "mentors" (not even called professors) are rarely available... not that you'd need them anyway.  Every class is the same.  Read the text and either answer the canned questions in each chapter or write a "paper" which is no more than a repeat of the questions - only rephrased.

Financial collection problems are common.  Academic "advisors" are no help in sorting out degree options.  Tuition just took a HUGE hike along with "fees".

The "department heads" are not available.  I've called mine several times, left emails, left voicemails, and even sent registered letters to him about issues I have.  To date... NO feedback.

Avoid the place like the plague.  No value.

Great School

By: dalertodd (In Progress) on January 12, 2007

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The school takes an active role in the student's welfare. I have yet to have one negative experince since enrolling December 2003. The school work is no 'give me" I assure you. After completing over 200 assignments I am now on to the dissertation series. There have been disgruntled students at times but they generally resolved their issues or look for blame other than themselves. Supportive, directing and informed instructors have been my experiences. I believe any student who applies themselves will find this school to offer approprite direction and a quality education.

Great online program

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 29, 2006

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I have been working on my masters in Psychology at NCU for several years now. Most of the course work is quite challenging. Not writing tests means a more rigorous workload but better understanding and application of the material. You need to be organized and dedicated but it is worth it. To me this program has meant less travel, working my own hours, no long-winded (filler), often redundant lectures, and  no pointless regurgitation of facts. It has also provided me with a student-first education that allows for a more thorough understanding of concepts. The mentors have been great and seem genuinely interested in the subject matter. As others have stated you get what you put into it.

NCU is a remarkable school!

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 13, 2006

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I have been with NCU since May 2006 and I really enjoying my online experience. I am not new to online learning, having earned a Masters degree from Capella University as well as taking several courses at Walden University, and I can say that NCU meets or exceeds any arbitrary standard for high qualtiy education. My mentors have all been responsive and have provided great and timely feedback. I have learned more via online education than I ever did attending brick and mortar classes! It takes a great deal of self-motivation, self-discipline, and self-determination to excell in any online education program. The same is true for NCU.

I read some of the more negative comments about NCU on this board. I strongly disagree with them all and tend to believe that they come from misinformed and misguided students had took some narrow, confined personal problem with NCU and unfairly generalized it to the entire institution.

I urge prospective students to research NCU for yourself and not be tainted by these negative reviews of the school.

far more rigorous than brick and mortar

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 28, 2006

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I am boggled by the negative reviews of NCU.  I am in the dissertation process, and my external reviewer is shocked by how rigorous the dissertation process is; more importantly they can't believe the quality of the learner focused mentor instruction.  There are still people that are so threatened by online learning and don't understand what it takes to complete an online degree (a great deal of self-initiation, independence, etc.) that they prefer to slam a legitimate, accredited program without experiencing it first hand.

Motivation is the key to success

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 19, 2006

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This school does take a lot of motivation, but that is what distant learning is all about.  On my first assignment I got a rude awaking with a "not so great" grade, but it was a blessing. After being mentored in the correct process, I was able to improve my grade. I would recommed this school but you have to follow thru and don't expect an easy grade.

Most can do better

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on November 7, 2006

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Let me begin by writing that if one likes to read some chapters in a book, write a long paper summarizing them, and have basically no feedback from the "mentor", then this is the school. This may not be a terrible way to learn.  In fact, many do learn a great deal from reading books and summarizing text.  

At Northcentral, one pays tuition and is assigned a mentor for each course.  A mentor is a trusted guide.  The school is wise to not use the term "instructor" or "professor".  There is no instructing, professing, and little mentoring.  I am not quite certain that the mentors even read the papers.  The idea is wonderful.  If the school guides the mentors to deliver meaningful feedback then the programs have a chance to be very good.

It is all about you

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on September 23, 2006

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Like any program it is what you put into it. It is all about you. I finished a second Masters program in Psychology at NCU with the first Masters being in the traditional format (face-face). Let me say that I worked very hard and feel still today that since I was in charge of the learning process I learned more and can apply more from my education at NCU. With this degree I was hired as an instructor at a college. The program offers the flexibility to take any course at anytime. As far as support just wonderful- issues on a Saturday morning was resolved quickly. I learned so much I am starting my PhD program there in the next few months. 
The mentors for the most part were fabulous- some issues however were resolved after contacting the department chair. As far as the textbooks in the beginning were very expensive but within time learned to go to different websites to purchase books. If you do not want to be challenged on your competence and degree of independent, self-determination, and self -disciplined abilities than this is not the school for you. There is no “spoon feeding” here you have to work.

You can do a lot better than this

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on September 12, 2006

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As a relatively new school NCU seems to be experiencing a lot of growing pains.  This wouldn't be too much cause for concern if the effect was solely internal to the school, but they seem to be passing it on to the students.   

For example, initially I had difficulty with the person evaluating my previous work for transfer credit.  It was apparent the individual hadn't even read the transcripts I submitted, and as a result I initially was being denied appropriate credits.  I'm still not certain whether this was merely the result of that individual's abject incompetence or part of a plan to soak students for more tuition for unnecessary coursework.

Once that was settled I started the program and did have a couple of wonderful professors.  But I also had one professor who was not only incompetent but an unabashed liar as well. Again, the professor's conduct was so outrageous it raised the issue whether anyone could be that incompetent by accident, or whether there was some purpose or design to the conduct.  

(I've since learned NCU has a legacy of corruption, shady dealings, diploma milling and "overseas agents" involved in selling cut rate degrees for little or no work, as discussed in more detail here: http://www.armedforces.net/Groups/General_Military_C1/Military_Distance_Education_F4/First_Hechts_Balin_Scam,_Now_NCU/SCUPS_Scam_P276797 )  

Eventually I got tired of dealing with their problems and left the program.  I found another program at a different school with a much higher level of prestige in my field.  

I would not recommend NCU to anyone unless you couldn't possibly get admitted at a decent school.  Even at its best NCU is bottom of the barrel.  If you are willing to settle for that then this is for you, but if you aspire to anything above that look elsewhere.

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