Doctoral Degree or Research

[Heartstrings]

Honestly, I'm not sure. I love learning and education, but I'm feeling a bit burned out from school. I'm more than likely gonna check out Walden's Doctoral program for their Public Health Degree.

If you think you're burned out now, you'll likely be incinerated by Walden's neverending Doctoral program.

Why is walden's doctoral program never ending? I have never seen that reference or experience before reported by anyone. I would imagine it does occur frequently given that it is walden...

I've heard that about Walden before as well. And about NorthCentral also, although perhaps/hopefully they've cleaned up their act since being absorbed by National University.

I was at Northcentral/National and this is still very much true. The cost of the degree is double what they tell you. You end up taking 32 classes. I dropped out when I realized that is what they were doing. My topic was approved and to extend they told me to start all over again with a new topic. My dissertation chair was always on vacation and they don't have any fill-ins so there would be weeks where I was not getting any feedback. An 8 week course was only like 4 weeks so you would be forced to extend. I am in a position where I am looking for ABD programs.

[SteveFoerster]

I was at Northcentral/National and this is still very much true. The cost of the degree is double what they tell you. You end up taking 32 classes. I dropped out when I realized that is what they were doing. My topic was approved and to extend they told me to start all over again with a new topic. My dissertation chair was always on vacation and they don't have any fill-ins so there would be weeks where I was not getting any feedback. An 8 week course was only like 4 weeks so you would be forced to extend. I am in a position where I am looking for ABD programs.

My experience with Baker College's dissertation completion program was similar. Things were fine while I had my first chair, and then my second chair, but then they switched chairs on me again and the new one expected me to redo my proposal. I cut bait at that point.

Manhattanville University's EdD dissertation completion program is better run. If your topic is in education, and you don't mind a focus on theory rather than practice, then consider them.

[Heartstrings]

I was at Northcentral/National and this is still very much true. The cost of the degree is double what they tell you. You end up taking 32 classes. I dropped out when I realized that is what they were doing. My topic was approved and to extend they told me to start all over again with a new topic. My dissertation chair was always on vacation and they don't have any fill-ins so there would be weeks where I was not getting any feedback. An 8 week course was only like 4 weeks so you would be forced to extend. I am in a position where I am looking for ABD programs.

My experience with Baker College's dissertation completion program was similar. Things were fine while I had my first chair, and then my second chair, but then they switched chairs on me again and the new one expected me to redo my proposal. I cut bait at that point.

Manhattanville University's EdD dissertation completion program is better run. If your topic is in education, and you don't mind a focus on theory rather than practice, then consider them.

I will check out Manhattanville. Right now, I am considering Morgan State but still unsure because the next cohort is fall 2026. I will check it out.

[ROYISAGIRL]

I'm not gonna jump straight into it. I'm gonna give myself a bit of a break first lol. I've just been going from degree to degree to certificate without a mental break.

What I mean is that Walden has an earned reputation for extending their Doctoral programs indefinitely to the point that one finds it almost impossible to finish. In fact, they were sued for 28.5 million dollars in a class action for this. The suit was for the DBA programs, but there have been plenty of students claiming the same issue in other Doctoral programs they've had.

Personally, I wouldn't go near their Doctoral programs. There are much better options out there.

I misread what you wrote initially . I didn't see much about the Doctoral programs when I first looked into them. Very few schools has what I'm looking for in a distance learning Doctoral program in the subject that I'm into (environmental Science). Which I probably should have elaborated more on in my post (my brain is burned out lol).

[bjcheung77]

I could go about it this way. This is why I love this forum, I can get a different perspective.

Yes, get that needed break to recoup and let the brain rest a bit... Do the research journals and work towards the dissertation, make it a two step process in progressing further into your field - Environmental Science or similar studies...

[FireMedic_Philosopher]

I'm not gonna jump straight into it. I'm gonna give myself a bit of a break first lol. I've just been going from degree to degree to certificate without a mental break.

What I mean is that Walden has an earned reputation for extending their Doctoral programs indefinitely to the point that one finds it almost impossible to finish. In fact, they were sued for 28.5 million dollars in a class action for this. The suit was for the DBA programs, but there have been plenty of students claiming the same issue in other Doctoral programs they've had.

Personally, I wouldn't go near their Doctoral programs. There are much better options out there.

I misread what you wrote initially . I didn't see much about the Doctoral programs when I first looked into them. Very few schools has what I'm looking for in a distance learning Doctoral program in the subject that I'm into (environmental Science). Which I probably should have elaborated more on in my post (my brain is burned out lol).

My alma mater Western Illinois University offers a PhD in Environmental Science. The University has a research station on the Mississippi River. I believe it is a hybrid program. They do not jerk students around and the school is one of the cheapest in Illinois.