Texila American University

[michaeladsmith2]

Good day Scholars!

Ok, let me update you and share a few details of my first month with TAU [Admissions > First week of Class].

1. TAU is headquartered in India. This means that [outside the TAU Medical Schools in Zambia, Guyana and TAU's partnership with University of Central Nicaragua, all other non-medical degrees & admissions are handled by staff in India. 

2. The admissions process is very arduous. It can be frustrating at times with having to log into the LMS and CMS to fill out all the details of the admissions "paperwork." Be prepared. 

3. Be prepared for a challenging time understanding staff from India who's native tongue is NOT English. It can be very difficult to understand. 100% of the communications will be through WhatsApp. 

4. It seems that their PhD in Public Health Administration program is a 120 credit 3.5 year OR 90-credit 2-year program [if you already have an earned doctorate to transfer credits]

The 90-credit program is divided into the following:

Research Methodology [2 months] 4 credits
Advanced Public Health Practice [2months] 4 credits
Principles Applied Epidemiology [2months] 4 credits
Applied Biostatistics [2 months] 4 credits
Research Work [2 years] 74 credits ...even though you can finish sooner based on how quickly you complete your Thesis/Dissertation. 

5. The Courses are divided into weekly Units w/Tests, a Case Study, a [Registration, Attendance, Learning & Outcomes] RALO Survey and a Final Exam. There is a TON of reading! 

6. I have already addressed this with my Student Mentor and emailed the TAU Founder/President: They prohibit peer-interaction, so as of my first week, I have not met my fellow cohorts and have no contact with them. We were only together once for our live Orientation with the Student Mentor on Teams Meeting. I've never heard of a PhD program where cohorts are not peer-interacting for support, idea sharing, collaborations, etc. I await a response. 

7. TAU utilizes the BBRRIICCSS - [BRICS] method of instruction. [Google it]. 

So far, now that I'm in and begun my PhD studies, it's manageable. You have to stay on top of weekly assignment and reading because 2 months goes by very fast. By the time you blink, those 4 Modules [8 months] will be gone! 

I'll keep you posted.