Complaint Review: Touro University International - Cypress California California

I was a 2006 Ph.D. graduate in Business Administration from TUI University (formerly known as Touro University International.) I am now a full-time, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Business at a small private university in South Texas. I also teach part-time online at TUI University in both the undergraduate program and MBA program. I confess that I entered the TUI University Ph.D. in Business Administration program in January 2001 with similar thoughts that the person who filed this RipOff complaint seems to have. How hard could these online courses be anyway? Should be a walk in the park for a smart guy like me, right? I soon found that I was very,very mistaken. In retrospect, the Ph.D. program at TUI University was the hardest academic undertaking I've ever experienced in my entire life; and quite possibly the most difficult thing I've ever gotten myself into, period. It was tough. It was rigorous. It was frustrating. It was nerve damaging. It was aggravating. I was mad all of the time, primarily with myself. Earning a Ph.D. is like surviving a 5-year long war and not knowing how you survived. If it were war, I'd have a major case of PTSD right now. The courses themselves are rig-or-ous. But, they are only your ticket to the big dance, the dissertation, because before you can go forward, you must prove you have the background and knowledge to continue by having to pass the Comprehensive Examinations. But, you're still not at the dissertation yet. You then need to further justify why you should continue in the form of a Dissertation Prospectus, and if you get by that, you must justify and defend why you should be allowed to continue by developing and defending a Dissertation Proposal. All this is before you are allowed to collect a single iota of data towards your dissertation. If one thinks earning a Ph.D. at TUI University, or any other university for that matter, is easy? They are flat wrong. It's tough stuff. Like I said, it's the toughest thing I've ever accomplished in my life. Most students in ANY doctoral program at any university never make it to the dissertation. They either get frustrated by the enormity of the tasks involved or have proven beyond all doubt to their assessors that they would not be successful if allowed to continue. You've got to have your act together to make it through a doctoral program. No respected university (and TUI University is respected), simply gives away degrees of any level or discipline; certainly not TUI University. I find it somewhat interesting that the Chair of my own dissertation committee was mentioned in a poor light in this complaint. From my experience, I found Cornell-trained Dr. Debra Louis, to be a rigorous and accomplished academic. Dr. Louis was tough on me by setting the performance bar high (oh so very high) and having high expectations of me. At no time did I feel Dr. Louis had any other interest or agenda than wanting me to succeed. She was both my persocuter and my cheerleader. My nemesis and my beacon of light. Sounds dramatic, but completing a Ph.D. without a whole lot of drama just doesn't happen...anywhere. Following my graduation, I was fortunate enough to be able to publish a journal article with Dr. Louis along with some conference papers. I would say that in my 24 years of school, 12 being at the university level, Dr. Debra Louis stands out as one of the most influential role models in higher education who have helped define me as a scholar. One year after I graduated with my earned Ph.D. from TUI University, I won the 2007 Faculty Scholar of the Year award at my university employer in Texas. I attribute that award to being fire-tested with rigorously high expectations by the likes of Dr. Louis and her fellow professors at TUI University. The final comment I'd like to make in this rebuttal is the writer's charge that TUI University was in accreditation trouble. To the best of my knowledge, TUI University has never been in accreditation trouble. The university did have to go through a process to shift regional accreditation from Middle States to Western when the university became it's own separate entity apart from the New York-based Touro College. In that process, Touro University International became California-based TUI University for accreditation purposes, requiring Western jurisdiction for accreditation. If one is looking for online universities to exchange dollars for degrees, then you may not wish to select TUI University. There are plenty of non-accredited degree mills out there for you. I don't know of any accredited online universities like TUI University, that are...easy degree mills. They all have to meet the same standards of assessment and academic rigor as any brick & mortar university. That's what regional accreditation is all about. I'm sorry the writer was not successful at TUI University. I respectfully disagree with the writer's conclusions that TUI University is a Rip Off. It is clearly not.

I came across this Rip-off Report by chance. I was looking to the dissertation process at TUI University and found this report. I have to say that I am a Ph.D. candidate at TUI University, who just got accepted into candidacy. Previously I worked on a Ph.D. program at a State University, but abandoned it when it came to the dissertation stage. Later on, I obtained a Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University, but because the University was not regionally accredited, I decided to pursue my degree from an accredited University. I attended Northeastern University for one semester, but did not find what I was looking for in a University. I enrolled in TUI and started my studies. Because TUI was an online University, I was expecting to breeze through the courses and finish my degree in a short period of time. But contrary to my expectations, courses proved to be rigorous. Although I was familiar with course at the Ph.D. level, I found course at TUI demanding and professors to be highly knowledgeable at their fields. They were willing to spend time with you if you wanted to learn, but expected you to gain a deeper understanding of the materials taught. This culture of excellence motivated me to work harder and devote more time to fulfill the requirements of the courses. Although I did not make high grade in some courses, and passed them with a grade of "B", I cannot blame it on the professors. Now that I look back, I can see why I was graded the way that I did. I have to mention that I have been teaching college courses for 20 years, and actually know what I am talking about when it comes to grading. I took two courses with Professor Debra Louis (formerly Connelly), and found her to be extremely qualified and highly interested in helping her students. She is one of the most dedicated teachers that I have seen in my life, and believe me I have seen many. She is extremely knowledgeable in the areas that she teaches. But what is most outstanding about her is her expectations from her students. She spends time teaching, and expects you to know. You have to demonstrate your knowledge in order to pass her classes. Although I received my lowest grades in her classes, I can say with certainty that I learned more in her classes than most courses in which I made an "A". I was so impressed by her knowledge, sincerity, and dedication that I decided to ask her to chair my dissertation committee. Although I knew what I was getting into, but I started my dissertation with her. During the years that I have been working with her, I grew even fonder of her personality, her professionalism, and her dedication. I had the ups and downs in this process, but if it was not because of her guidance, I wouldn't have been able to have my proposal approved. It was tough at times, and on several occasions I decided to quit, but her encouragements kept me going. On some occasions I was so frustrated that I even wanted to change Dr. Louis but convince myself that if I was to get a Ph.D., it was only through her help. I know that professors carry a full load every semester, and are not being paid extra to supervise dissertations. But she dedicated so much time editing my submissions and commenting on them that it seemed she had only my dissertation to supervise. I wish every teacher could be as dedicated as Dr. Louis. The last point that I want to make is that Ph.D. is the highest degree that one can obtain; therefore, the individual must dedicate him/herself to work hard and fulfill the equipments. If the process is not finished, Professors and the University should not be blamed. The only person worthy of blame would be the individual who expects to be 'handed" his/her degree without qualifications.

I strongly disagree with Todd's assessment of Touro University. I am also in the PhD program at Touro University. I have finished my coursework and am starting my dissertation. I have found that the professors at TUI more attentive to the needs of students than those at other universities I attended. They are extremely helpful, courteous, and very fair in their grading. They also are very accommodating when extensions are needed. Whenever I have any questions, they respond within 24 hours. They have even gone out of their way to make sure my questions are addressed (which does not occur at many of the reputable universities) I did have one grading issue among the ten courses that I have taken at the university. However, the Dean responded favorably within 24 hours. The situation you describe is not an accurate depiction of the university. Any issues that I have brought to the attention of the Dean have been promptly resolved.