Purdue Global (PUG) EdD in Leadership and Innovation

[walruspanda]

Slight clarification to my earlier statement. Based on how PUG is assigning classes to the first cohort with the EdD degree -- which is starting their fourth term next week -- it can actually be done in seven terms / 70 weeks:

...and now PUG has walked that back, stating that completing the eight 700-level ED courses are a prerequisite for ED810, and moving a bunch of people's courses around for this term after it had already started (to a lot of student consternation, judging by the FB group). Long and short of it, quickest for the PUG EdD is now four terms of two 700-level courses each, followed by four terms of one 800-level course each.

[bjcheung77]

So, at the earliest one can complete this would be in 8 terms... Hmm... Interesting, there doesn't seem to be an option to go around this requirement as you can only take so many classes a term, no cramming indeed...

[walruspanda]

So, at the earliest one can complete this would be in 8 terms... Hmm... Interesting, there doesn't seem to be an option to go around this requirement as you can only take so many classes a term, no cramming indeed...

Yeah, after completing my BSIT and MSIT through PUG ExcelTrack, my main impression of the EdD program in the first couple weeks is...man, this is slow. But once we get further in, I might start appreciating that!

[walruspanda]

A few quick notes at the midway point of my first term:

• I would say that my first two EdD courses (ED710/ED720) aren't any more difficult than my MSIT and 400-level BSIT courses at PUG. However, they are more time-intensive, primarily because of the required discussion board component, which approximately doubles the average time per week to finish the assignments in my experience. So taking these two courses in 10 weeks is about equivalent to taking four ExcelTrack courses in 10 weeks -- which, having taken seven courses in six weeks for the MSIT, isn't an excessively hard row to hoe for me. 
  
• That said, what I've been told is that ED740 and ED780 are bears -- much more time-consuming than the other six required 700-level courses. There are also students in the first 800-level class (where you write your dissertation) who are worried they'll have to stretch the course out into a second term in order to finish the first part of their dissertation. So while technically the PUG EdD can be finished in around 20-21 months with doubling 700-level classes, it might not be the best way for some students.
  
• I think the caliber of professors has been higher in the EdD classes so far. I think myED710 professor (Patel) is doing a tremendous job, in particular in how she responds to posts, teaches synchronous sessions, and gives specific feedback in papers.
  

[walruspanda]

Very quick end-of-first-term update:

• Ended with strong As in both EdD classes: 95% in ED710 and 97% in ED720. 
  
• As I've said earlier, neither class was excessively difficult, although each was more time consuming than the ExcelTrack classes due to the discussion posts.
  
• Tapering down to one class for July term (ED760) due to a very busy work and life schedule the next couple months, but my expectation is to go back to two classes for the September term.
  
• Reasonably happy so far with the EdD program, although I do wish it was quicker like PUG's ExcelTrack -- that's my one regret about going to PUG rather than South (which seems to have its own issues).
  

[FireMedic_Philosopher]

If for some reason PUG doesn't work, this is another asynchronous Ed.D. in IT.

Totally online, Regionally Accredited, and oddly also Indiana based. They have a very nice in person graduation ceremony each year in Indianapolis.

https://ace.edu/degree-programs/doctoral...echnology/

[walruspanda]

Quick end-of-2nd-term update:

• Only took one class this term -- ED760, which had one lengthy assignment (about 10 pages between the two parts) but was otherwise none too difficult.
  
• Even if I don't do the final discussion, I'll have a 95% in the class; I'd call the class an easy A as long as you do the work.
  
• Had I think my first group assignment at PUG? Same group for assignments in two units. I was fortunate to have a good group, because I did hear some stories.
  
• I'm going back to two classes for the September term to try to speed things up a bit, but definitely dropping back to one when I take ED740 (probably December) -- almost universally that's described as the most difficult of the 700-level classes.
  
• I've heard PUG is doing a better job of making it clear to applicants that the major focus is on education here, despite the degree being called "EdD in Leadership and Innovation". That's good to hear, because my first three courses were heavy on ed.
  
• PUG sent out an email last month to all EdD students to make clear that they would really like students to take the courses in order. I'm still taking some out of order that I was already signed up for, though, so I'm not sure how much this is a mandate vs. a recommendation. (Definitely can't take any 800-level courses until all 700-level ones are done, though -- I've heard that from multiple students.)
  
• Still reasonable happy with the EdD program! No major complaints.