Nova Southeastern University

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: School of Information (This Major's Salary over time)
I came to this site because on occasion I still wonder whether I made the right decision. I actually completed all my coursework for a PhD in Information Systems and was 3 years into dissertation and completed the proposal stage. Then I decided to walk away.

I went to NOVA because I run a company as my day job and needed a flexible program.

After having to change my research topic several times as the focus of my advisor changed, I was left working on: (a) a topic that was not suited for me or my advisor - who was not an expert in that subject, (b) with an advisor who was disconnected (out of the country about half the time), and (c) with a dissertation committee who was mostly interested in their version of criticism which consisted of public humiliation/grand-standing and what I can best describe as cyber-bullying. Without getting into details, one of the committee members crossed the line while commenting on my dissertation.

Therefore, I decided to walk away from the game. Because that is the only thing the dissertation process at NOVA can be called.

The coursework at NOVA is actually quite interesting and good, as are the lecturers. However, after dissertation starts, the whole thing turns into something like cyber-dating.

I admit that, had I decided to finish the program, I would probably be posting positive comments on my achievement, but deep inside I would still know that it would be a hollow glory and it would only help this school continue to profit from students.

Fortunately, in my case, the money was not a huge issue. My education is paid for and, at least according to the government, I am wealthy. But I know that is not the case with others. I proved to myself what I needed to prove intellectually, and I even feel somewhat proud for walking away, although at times unfulfilled. I am not sure why, since I have everything people think they can get with a PhD: I have been published, I own a successful consulting company, and I even teach at a university.

So, my advice is that you examine yourself, and if what you want is an expensive piece of paper and a title, go to this school and others like it. Yes, it is true, you get out of it what you put into it; but that would be true at any school, many of them better than NOVA, and schools that are more invested in their students.

In my case, I decided that I was not going to give NOVA the privilege of wearing their colors in my doctoral robe, and that is the way I hope every PhD student approaches it.