National University Reviews of Doctoral in Psychology
Locations: La Jolla (CA)
Annual Tuition: $13,320

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L. Santiago
Reviewed: 6/13/2023
Degree: Psychology
Use this as a warning. Plan on the career taking an extra year and a few thousand dollars more. Went in after being told it would be 80k and 4 years. Here I am at 94k with Lord only knows how much longer. See the thing is after you are done with academics you will need an extra 4 courses at 3k each. Or maybe 8 because if they need the money they will put you on a "supplemental" course. These are created to help you with the dissertation but who needs 12 weeks to get through 1 chapter? Or 20 weeks,... Read More
John M
Reviewed: 10/24/2021
Degree: Psychology
I graduated with a PhD in General Psychology in 2009. I was very pleased with my learning experiences at the school and have found the credential well accepted for teaching purposes. Yes, even in 2008 it was expensive but I knew this going into the program. The one on one experiences I had with faculty were very meaningful and I appreciated the feedback I got on my writing assignments. The dissertation modules were co fusing at times but at the end of the program I could see the method to the madness.... Read More
Brad
Reviewed: 3/3/2021
Degree: Psychology
The coursework is actually a template that instructors do not influence, thus limiting them to review and grade status. This module would be acceptable but the one-on-one professor (their student load is much higher than advertised) does not validate the quality of the instructor. The final course I took the professor was unable to define core concepts, such as Janis' 1972 groupthink theory. Northcentral is clearly a pay for degree program without academic or scholarly goals. If you are not interested... Read More
Carriann Mulcahy
Reviewed: 7/21/2020
Degree: Psychology
I graduated a year ago from Northcentral after receiving both my Masters and PhD. I feel like I received an excellent education, but that's all I received. The program did not allow for any research or teaching experience, which is needed to acquire a position. The school had, at the time, no one to advise students in the field of Health Psychology with job placement or job leads. Here it is, just about a year after receiving my doctorate, and I have no qualifications for a job other than my credentials.... Read More
Dr. DS
Reviewed: 2/5/2020
Degree: Psychology
I completed my PhD with Northcentral University in 2011 and I am now an assistant professor on my way to being a tenured. The PhD is very difficult and challenging process. Barriers to completion are not common--they are certainties and reality. When I read reviews about NCU, I promise that the complaints by students are the same as other students at brick and mortar schools. Committees provide inconsistent and conflicting feedback. You change one thing for one committee member and then change it... Read More
Kevin Coghlan
Reviewed: 12/10/2019
Degree: Psychology
Northcentral is incredible. I was super nervous prior to attending, but once I started, I immediately understood how lucky I was to be attending. I have jobs and children, so on campus Ph.D. was going to be difficult. I was very hesitant about online programs. Now I am no longer nervous. Furthermore, the one to one instruction is unreal. Dr. Streit, my first professor, was beyond incredible. I am so impressed with her ability to help me focus on dissertation ideas, develop those ideas, and being... Read More
Pdub
Reviewed: 1/12/2019
Degree: Psychology
During the dissertation sequence, the chair and the committee take more than 2 weeks to provide feedback so that you have to sign up for and pay for additional courses at $3900 each, to allow them time to review. You get 24 hours to respond to their feedback, and they take 2 1/2 weeks to provide theirs.
JMiller
Reviewed: 7/25/2018
Degree: Psychology
I received both my Masters and my Doctorate through NCU. My experience was good.... I had some good professors, some not so good professors and some great professors (just like any school). I also felt that some of the courses were applied in the wrong order, but I could have talked over my schedule with my advisor more. Advisors changed often and like professors they were not all that great. I did have some great experiences. The dissertation process was exhausting (as one would expect). Overall... Read More
Wes
Reviewed: 4/25/2018
Degree: Psychology
Some courses were okay, but for the most part it's a lot of busy work. They say it is work at your own pace...except you have to hand in weekly assignments by Sunday at midnight, then wait until the next Friday to get feedback, then turn in your next assignment on Sunday. So basically, instructors have 4 days to grade and I have to do all of my work on the weekend. It's against policy to hand anything in before getting the previous assignment back! And the dissertation is the same. They tell you... Read More
John
Reviewed: 1/22/2018
Degree: Psychology
I started my program in 2008 to earn my doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology to compliment my MBA. I read all of the catalog requirements and began. In 2010 my father unexpectedly passed away 3 weeks before class was over and 2 assignments still due. I contacted my advisor and the professor immediately since I would be travelling to take care of funeral and estate situations and would need an extension. No reaponse. I ended up getting one of the assignments turned in the last day of... Read More
Consumer Beware
Reviewed: 9/22/2016
Degree: Psychology
Consumer Beware. Financial Aid services were NOT transparent, and/or forthcoming in information, which sadly reflect upon the entire university. Poor/miscommunication was common between departments, Professor was caring, as well as proficient. Although I did well in the course at NCU, the institution was problematic My overall experience with this institution concerning resolution was both time consuming and exacerbating. If you're looking for an institution of both quality and integrity, you may... Read More
Dr. Psych
Reviewed: 3/22/2016
Degree: Psychology
I am earning my PhD in psychology. The overall purpose of pursing my degree with NCU is that my goal is to enhance my profession as a marriage coach and academic lecturer. I also plan to contribute to research in this area. overall, NCU has been a learning experience. I feel that the writing and research opportunities were extremely rigorous. Most, but not all, of my mentors were helpful with some areas of the curriculum, and less so in others. For example, there were times were feedback was not... Read More
Dr. S.
Reviewed: 5/25/2015
Degree: Psychology
It was a shaky start after I completed my oral comps due to a change in my dissertation chair. However, my committee was exceptional and challenged me all the way. The key is communication and team work. The mentors I had were good in giving constructive feedback and in a timely manner for the most part. I did have one mentor who was abroad so we never talked by phone either.
Igor Kulikov
Reviewed: 1/28/2014
Degree: Psychology
I wish I first checked the reviews before enrolling at Northcentral University. I was badgered almost daily with telephone calls trying to convince me to enroll until I finally did. NCU's relentless emphasis on its integrity and ethics should have raised a flag. Nine months worth of online courses proved NCU has neither. I withdrew and found a reputable institution to learn from instead.
Robert
Reviewed: 8/20/2013
Degree: Psychology
It SHOULD have been a good fit, with the self-paced learning and online format, but it is a disaster. For an online school, the website is straight from 1996. Don't let the shiny EXTERNAL site fool you; the one students use is a joke. Instructors come and go with no notice (I was in a class for 21 days with an instructor who had quit prior to the class starting). You have to fight them about everything, and they "continuously" enroll you, you know, for your own... Read More
Yes, but not at this school. They are always changing the process on you, with no warning, and not even the instructors and staff and keep the policy changes straight. STAY AWAY. Remember, this is a FOR PROFIT place, and you are a customer, not a student.
Find another place to go to school. Online education isn't there yet, and NCU is Exhibit A in why online degrees aren't taken seriously.