M.Ed. Program

1. Q. How long does it take to complete the Program?
A. The University's commitment to the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council precludes any student graduating from a University degree program in less than one year. Students may take as long as five years to complete the Program. In this program, no academic credit can be granted for coursework completed at other institutions.

2. Q. Will the completion of any of these courses apply towards a teaching and/or administrative credential?
A. Each state has its own set of criteria for the issuance and renewal of credentials. Prospective students interested in the credential process should check with the Credential Commission within their State's Department of Education for detailed information before enrollment. The University will assist students in providing any reasonable information that may be required in the credential process. The Program is designed to service a national market and does not purport to provide licensure, credential certification or salary advancement in any particular state and/or school district. Applicants interested in licensure, credential certification and/or salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment.

3. Q. I work for a school district...can I receive salary credit for completion of the entire master's program or individual courses?
A. Salary credits are generally a result of labor agreements in place between a school district and professional associations such as teacher groups. The agreements sometimes delineate eligible coursework and/or institutions where they can be taken. Past experience has shown that the great majority of districts will allow salary credit if you complete coursework at the University. Additionally, many school districts award salary credit on a case-by-case basis. The University will assist you in your efforts in applying for salary credit and will supply you or your school district with any reasonable documentation. Applicants interested in licensure, credential certification and/or salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment.

4. Q. Can I take just one course?
A. No. Students are enrolled on a trimester basis, which normally includes three courses. However, a student who elects not to continue the Program after the completion of a trimester has no financial obligation to the University beyond the current trimester.

5. Q. Why does the University recommend a minimum of three years occupational experience in education for this Program?
A. The Program emphasizes real world experience in educational settings. Therefore, those with related experience will find the coursework very relevant. Without such experience, students may find it more difficult to relate the coursework to their professional settings.

6. Q. Will I need to complete courses pursuant to a rigid timetable?
A. No. Each trimester must generally be completed in not less than 16 weeks nor more than 48 weeks. However, completion of assignments within this time period is at the discretion of the student. There are no assignments that must be submitted on a weekly or monthly schedule and students may take time off between trimesters. However, except in special circumstances, the degree program must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation.

7. Q. How soon can I get started?
A. The University maintains open enrollment throughout the year. After receipt of a complete Application for Admission, approved applicants are sent enrollment materials for their review and signature. If the applicant is accepted for admission to the Program, an Enrollment Commitment form will be prepared and sent to the applicant. At the time the commitment material and the $100.00 commitment fee are received by the Admissions Office, a formal Enrollment Agreement will be prepared and sent to the applicant for review and signature.Should the Admissions Office have any questions, the applicant will be contacted. Applications are reviewed weekly and most students commence study within one month from the date of application. Trimesters start on the 15th of each month.

Doctorate Programs

1. Q. How long does it take to complete the Program?
A. The minimum completion time for the Program is 27 months. Since all courses are self-paced, the number of weeks necessary to complete a course may vary considerably based on the amount of time per week a student devotes to study and the professional experience of the student.

Students are officially enrolled in one course at a time. Students may not complete the first course in less than one and one-half months from the date of initial enrollment. Thereafter, a student may complete one course for every one and one-half months of cumulative enrollment. (e.g. a student who enrolled on January 1st could submit three courses by May 15th or four courses by July 1st, etc.) The above examples demonstrate minimum completion schedules. Experience has shown that the average student will progress at a slower pace.

It is expected the average completion time of the Program will approximate 48 months. All degree requirements must be satisfied within seven years from the date of initial enrollment.

The Degree Completion Plan (DCP) is designed to assist students in establishing a workable study plan and projected course completion schedule. Transfer credit is limited to 15% of the total doctoral credits required to complete the degree (9 units). The courses considered for transfer must be equivalent in both content and degree level.

2. Q. What is the Degree Completion Plan?
A. Shortly after enrollment in the Program, the student in collaboration with administration or a faculty member will agree on a plan for the completion of the Program including a tentative selection of electives and a discussion of time management. The main purpose of the Degree Completion Plan (DCP) is to help the doctoral student establish learning goals while maximizing their personal time management. Experience has shown one of the biggest challenges faced by students when embarking on a distance learning program is the proper management of time and self-discipline.

The DCP will assist the student by planning a method of study, which can be followed up to the time of the Dissertation or MPP.

While the plan can be modified in the future, experience has shown this type of planning increases the student’s probability of overall success in the Program.

3. Q. Will I be required to attend seminars or other classroom instruction?
A. No.

4. Q. Will I need to travel to the University?
A. No. While students are welcome to visit our offices this is not a requirement. At the completion of the first three courses the student will need to successfully complete a proctored Qualifying Examination. Students must also complete the Comprehensive Examination (taken at the completion of all courses, and prior to the dissertation proposal) which must also be proctored. Students may elect to take examinations at over 250 approved testing sites. If a testing site is not convenient to a student, procedures are in place for the student to nominate a proctor. Dissertation defenses will generally be scheduled in the University’s offices. However, with the consent of the student’s dissertation chairperson, arrangements can be made for the dissertation defense to be taken elsewhere.

5. Q. What are “qualifying courses”?
A. The first three courses in the curriculum are known as qualifying courses. A student must take and pass the Qualifying Courses and a Qualifying Examination before a student can begin the core courses. The Qualifying Examination covers material in the qualifying courses.

6. Q. Will the completion of any Ed.D. program courses apply towards a teaching and/or administrative credential?
A. Each state has its own set of criteria for the issuance and renewal of credentials. Prospective students interested in the credential process should check with the Credential Commission within their State's Department of Education for detailed information before enrollment. The Program is designed to service a national market and does not purport to provide licensure, credential certification or salary advancement in any particular state and/or school district. Applicants interested in licensure, credential certification and/or salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment. The University will assist students in providing any reasonable information that may be required in the credential process.

7. Q. I work for a school district. Can I receive salary credit for completion of the entire Ed.D. Program or for individual courses?
A. Salary credits are generally a result of labor agreements in place between a school district and professional associations such as teacher groups. The agreements sometimes delineate eligible coursework and/or institutions where they can be taken. Past experience has shown that the great majority of districts will allow salary credit if you complete coursework at the University. Additionally, many school districts award salary credit on a case-by-case basis. Applicants interested in salary advancement are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body(ies) and their respective human resources department before enrollment. The University will assist you in your efforts in applying for salary credit and will supply you or your school district with any reasonable documentation.

8. Q. I'm employed by a large international corporation and have no interest in small or developing businesses. Is this D.B.A. program right for me?
A. Yes, the focus of the Program relates to the goals, objectives, concerns, and problems of businesses of all sizes and is designed for existing, or aspiring, managers.

9. Q. Does the University recommend a minimum number of years of occupational experience in business or education before commencing the Program?
A. Yes, it is recommended that an applicant have a minimum of five years of occupational, management, or entrepreneurial experience before enrolling. The Programs emphasize real-world experience in business or educational settings. Therefore, those with related experience will find the coursework very relevant. Without such experience, students may find it more difficult to relate the coursework to their professional settings.

10. Q. How soon can I get started?
A. The Program utilizes an open enrollment policy. Accordingly, students may commence study on the first day of any month. Applications are generally reviewed weekly. Most applicants commence study within one month of the date of acceptance. However, approved applicants may, after payment of the Enrollment Commitment Fee, delay enrollment for a maximum of six months. If an approved applicant has not enrolled within six months of acceptance, a new application will be required.