Capella University

[dk]

In terms of actual education quality, does anyone here have any experience with Capella University? I will be finishing a Masters in December and am looking for my next home to work toward a PhD.

I am not interested in academic snobbery or "Online universities suck" responses, not am I interested in hearing that the school had some controversy in regards to overcharging lenders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capella_University).

I am interested in hearing about the quality of courses, the quality of instructors, the quality of the online classroom areas, etc, and whether the school is worth the money that will be poured into it.

I am considering a degree in IT Project Management, and am now starting to research schools so that I can get a head start in my next direction. http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/business_technology/phd/it_project_management.aspx

I am also considering a degree in systems development or software development, so hopefully I can find an online school that'll meet my needs. Otherwise, I'll be moving off-island for a while, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that.

Anyway, any information or tips would be great.

[okisteve]

I'm a little surprised that a Ph.D. in hands-on areas like those you mention would even be worth the effort. I can understand if you plan to do research in the field or become a teacher or instructor, but for actual practice??? What would the point be?

[vvloc]

I don't see why given a choice, someone in your position,would pick a more or less, generic school, as opposed to one Nationally recognized in the field of technology.

Here's one example (there are more):

http://www.rit.edu/

http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/online/1405.php3

I think a graduate certificate in Project Management from RIT would provide at least as sophisticated a program as Capella and would certainly be VERY heavily respected by anyone within the industry (even though it is not an actual PhD).

Sorry, if this does not DIRECTLY address your PhD desires, but this is just mho.

[dk]

I'm a little surprised that a Ph.D. in hands-on areas like those you mention would even be worth the effort. I can understand if you plan to do research in the field or become a teacher or instructor, but for actual practice??? What would the point be?
I would like to specialize and/or teach.

[dk]

I don't see why given a choice, someone in your position,would pick a more or less, generic school, as opposed to one Nationally recognized in the field of technology.

Here's one example (there are more):

http://www.rit.edu/

http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/online/1405.php3

I think a graduate certificate in Project Management from RIT would provide at least as sophisticated a program as Capella and would certainly be VERY heavily respected by anyone within the industry (even though it is not an actual PhD).

Sorry, if this does not DIRECTLY address your PhD desires, but this is just mho.
Thank you for this information. I'll definitely look into that. I appreciate it.

[dk]

Hmmmmm. http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/grad/cluster43.php3

I'm seeing one very vague PhD, and many possible Masters, which I'm not looking for. I have an interest in either Software/Systems Development or Project Management, which is why I was interested in the one Capella had to offer.

I'll keep looking though. Last night was Day 1 in looking around.

Thanks again. :) Bookmarked the site and will look more.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

I hear good things about the University of London. Been doing distance ed for over a century (helping to educate the elite ruling class of the British Empire while posted abroad and all that).

Here's a sample of their Ph.D. level courses...

http://www.lon.ac.uk/coursesearch/courselist.php?level_id=4&area_id=1&subject_id=5

[okisteve]

My wife was looking into Univ. of London last year. All topnotch, but very expensive and not all that easy to get accepted.

[dk]

I hear good things about the University of London. Been doing distance ed for over a century (helping to educate the elite ruling class of the British Empire while posted abroad and all that).

Here's a sample of their Ph.D. level courses...

http://www.lon.ac.uk/coursesearch/courselist.php?level_id=4&area_id=1&subject_id=5
Thank you. Cool, they have Software Engineering AND Systems Engineering.

[Tanimaga]

Thanks for me as well. This is what I've been looking for.