VUL introducing new doctorate in May

[sanantone]

Many brick and mortar universities let doctoral students take courses in the summer.

Most online doctoral programs are three years or more. Programs that are fewer than three years are so rare that I usually make it a point to create threads for those programs. I've looked at several hundred doctoral programs in many different fields. Programs that can be completed in fewer than three years usually require summer attendance to finish that fast. So, normally, these programs are about five or six semesters. Four semesters is not two years; it's 1.33 years. While not unheard of, this is very rare. 18-month or shorter programs are usually in the healthcare field for practitioners who want to upgrade from a master's to a doctorate, such as the DNP or Doctor of Medical Science.

[DeanLewis]

To be clear, though, the VUL doctorate(s) are only 1 year in length for folks who have already acquired 60 semester credits of graduate coursework, which for most fields outside of medicine, mental health, and religion is equivalent to two masters degrees. The VUL program(s) require 90 semester credits for completion, and only offer 30-some credits of coursework, otherwise extended enrollment (of up to 30 semester hours) is required for internships etc.

[sanantone]

That is true. You can enter some doctoral programs with just a bachelor's degree, but they typically require 90 graduate credits with most of the credits being at the doctoral level. In other doctoral programs, you can enter after earning a 30+ credit master's degree. 54 to 60 semester credits are usually at the doctoral level. There are some exceptions; I've come across a few programs that will award transfer credits for masters-level courses that weren't applied to a prior degree.

[ashkir]

VUL's new doctorate will be business based and the topic will be "Strategic Leadership" with the dean of this program being Dr. Gupta.

[newdegree]

It will be an interesting program my only problem is the accreditation they need to move off TRACS, I am finishing my DHA at VUL but already looking at other alternatives that will accept nationally accredited credits towards another doctorate. I found that Liberty University accepts TRACS credits so I am going to send them my transcripts and see if I can get into the DBA or DPA program. Also, consider going for a DrPH in another school if I do not get accepted to Liberty. I think regional accreditation is important depending on your goal. A VUL degree is good for a checkmark for federal but certain jobs may be picky in the private or education field.

[datby98]

VUL's new doctorate will be business based and the topic will be "Strategic Leadership" with the dean of this program being Dr. Gupta.

I will wait to see someone compares it with the EdD of South College.

[Alpha]

Personally, I am underwhelmed at the prospect of a religious school stepping outside of its niche to offer a DBA.  Aside from remarkably low admission standards, what has this school got that can't be found in many other (and more reputable) places?

[DeanLewis]

Personally, I am underwhelmed at the prospect of a religious school stepping outside of its niche to offer a DBA.  Aside from remarkably low admission standards, what has this school got that can't be found in many other (and more reputable) places?

VUL isn’t a religious school in the sense that it is a seminary offering theological education solely, that hasn’t been its MO in a very long time (despite housing a seminary from the beginning). Rather, it’s more like Liberty, Regent, and the like (except with a much more inclusive stance toward LGBT people overtly), offering education in a theologically informed milieu.

I don’t blame anyone for working with “NA” groups, as they’re often much cheaper than the classical “RA” folks, both in initial fees and maintenance of accreditation fees, which can directly equate to lower tuition. 

As far as admission standards, let’s face it, outside of medicine and law, most anyone with a pulse can get into most any school these days.

[ss20ts]

Personally, I am underwhelmed at the prospect of a religious school stepping outside of its niche to offer a DBA.  Aside from remarkably low admission standards, what has this school got that can't be found in many other (and more reputable) places?

I thought it was a HBCU? Sure it has a seminary but that doesn't make it a religious school that offers nothing else.

[Alpha]

Personally, I am underwhelmed at the prospect of a religious school stepping outside of its niche to offer a DBA.  Aside from remarkably low admission standards, what has this school got that can't be found in many other (and more reputable) places?

VUL isn’t a religious school in the sense that it is a seminary offering theological education solely, that hasn’t been its MO in a very long time (despite housing a seminary from the beginning). Rather, it’s more like Liberty, Regent, and the like (except with a much more inclusive stance toward LGBT people overtly), offering education in a theologically informed milieu.

I don’t blame anyone for working with “NA” groups, as they’re often much cheaper than the classical “RA” folks, both in initial fees and maintenance of accreditation fees, which can directly equate to lower tuition. 

As far as admission standards, let’s face it, outside of medicine and law, most anyone with a pulse can get into most any school these days.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against this school.  But I also am not going to pretend that it's anything other than what it is.  You say it's not a "religious school" but I have been unable to find a list of the degrees it offers.  The GPA required for admission is 2.0.  This is substantially lower than most schools.  If it at all like Liberty et al that's because there's an agreement between the schools that allows VUL students to take courses elsewhere, courses not offered at VUL.  Because they don't offer certain degree programs.  The idea that most NA schools are cheaper than RA schools is a myth.  I'm pretty sure that I could find a cheaper RA equivalent for any NA degree that you could name.  But the cost is not the issue here, at least not for me.  Cheap is good, but cheap at the expense of quality is not a smart move.  I just don't know that I've seen anything that convinces me that they can run a DBA program.  And I don't know if it's any kind specialty area for TRACS either.  Obviously I could be wrong about that and maybe it will be a great program and a great deal.  But if I was going to get a DBA I'm not sure that I'd take the risk of signing into this program at this school at this time.