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Doctoral Programs and Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

Degree Focus

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education is designed for students who have a Master’s degree in any academic discipline and who have career aspirations and research interests related to education. Students will develop doctoral research, practical skills, critical thinking skills, and the knowledge needed to become an innovative, ethical contributor to the field. The advanced curriculum in this program focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to approach complex and varied challenges with education-based solutions. The program also focuses on applied research intended to optimize learning opportunities using creative, innovative and resourceful educational leadership and change theories, methods and strategies. The curriculum in this program focuses on the foundational theories, current research, emerging trends, and a personalized opportunity for students to pursue a chosen area of interest and contribute to their chosen field. Students will investigate the historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundations in the field of education to identify a problem, propose a solution, implement the solution, and effectively communicate the results of their findings. Research is critical to the advancement of knowledge in this profession. In addition to course-related research activities, students in this PhD program will complete a dissertation, which is a major piece of original research.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for teacher licensure or certification in any state. Students seeking teacher licensure shall carefully research their state's requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. Graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a state-by-state basis that will include one or more of the following: student teaching or practicum experience, additional coursework, additional testing, or, if the state requires a specific type of degree, earning an additional degree. None of the University of Arizona Global Campus online education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which is a requirement for certification in some states. Other factors, such as a student’s criminal history, may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study.

Alabama Students: Authorization to provide an education program does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate. Applicants who complete an education or educator preparation program at a non-Alabama institution must apply for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate through the Alabama Certificate Reciprocity Approach. Current requirements may be found at https://www.alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/.

Kentucky Students: Please be advised that although the University of Arizona Global Campus offers a variety of programs aimed at preparing potential educators in diverse settings, our programs are NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and are NOT recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for K-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website at http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=220.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the PhD in Education program will be able to:

  1. Evaluate theories, practices, issues, and trends in designing and implementing educational strategies;
  2. Develop strategies for leveraging social and cultural diversity in offering education in organizations;
  3. Design policies and initiatives that adhere to ethical and legal practices in educational settings and learning communities;
  4. Propose solutions to societal problems through evidence-based application of educational research; and
  5. Apply diverse methods and principles of inquiry, discovery, evaluation, and original scholarship to educational research questions and practices.

Program-Specific Requirements

Dissertation

Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. Please refer to Dissertation in this section of this Catalog for more information on Dissertation requirements.

In-Residence Workshop

Students in this program have an In-Residence Workshop requirement. These workshops are a graduation requirement. The In-Residence Workshop Series supports the completion of the dissertation. Please refer to the In-Residence Workshop Requirement in this section of this Catalog for more information on the In-Residence Workshop requirements.

Major Course Requirements (59 credits)

  • ^EDU 7000 Learning & Cognition (3 credits)
  • EDU 7100 History of Education & Social Change (3 credits)
  • RES 7115 Research Foundations I (3 credits)
  • EDU 7120 Transformative Issues & Trends in Education (3 credits)
  • EDU 7130 Educational Leadership Theories & Strategies (3 credits)
  • RES 7400 Research Design & Methods – Quantitative (3 credits)
  • EDU 7220 Educational Leadership: Challenges & Opportunities (3 credits)
  • EDU 7240 Diversity in Education (3 credits)
  • RES 7410 Research Design & Methods – Qualitative (3 credits)
  • EDU 8225 Culture, Curriculum & Learning (3 credits)
  • EDU 8250 Curriculum, Assessment, Design, & Evaluation (3 credits)
  • EDU 8261 Writing and Research in Education (3 credits)
  • EDU 8300 Governance & Politics of Education (3 credits)
  • EDU 8320 Change in People, Society, Bureaucracies & Institutions (3 credits)
  • RES 7120 Research Foundations II (3 credits)

Research Course Requirement (3 credits - students will choose one of the following courses)

  • RES 7415 Advanced Statistics (3 credits)
  • RES 7440 Advanced Study in Qualitative Research (3 credits)

Research Conceptualization and Dissertation Courses

  • RES 8780 Research Conceptualization and Design (4 credits)
  • RES 8910 Dissertation Planning I (1 credit)
  • RES 8912 Dissertation Planning II (1 credit)
  • RES 8971 Dissertation I (1 credit)
  • RES 8972 Dissertation II (1 credit)
  • RES 8973 Dissertation III (1 credit)
  • RES 8974 Dissertation IV (1 credit)
  • RES 8975 Dissertation V (1 credit)

^This course must be taken at the University of Arizona Global Campus and may not be transferred from another institution.

*Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. In RES 8974 and RES 8975 the Dissertation Support Fee will no longer be charged.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the PhD in Education, a student must successfully complete the following:

  • The approved program consisting of 59 credits;
  • Dissertation requirements;
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework attempted at the University; and
  • Three non-credit In-Residence Workshops.

The degree will be noted on the transcript as a Doctor of Philosophy in Education.

Note: The date of degree conferral recorded on the student’s transcript and diploma will reflect the date the student completes all academic degree requirements. However, release of diplomas, and verifications for degrees awarded are contingent upon submission of the Petition to Graduate form, payment of the graduation fee, and payment of any outstanding balances with the University.

 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Services

Degree Focus

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Services program is designed for students with career aspirations and research interests related to guiding the policies and practices needed to address the needs of diverse and underserved populations, including those struggling with addiction, illness, poverty and violence. The advanced curriculum in this specialization is designed to provide opportunities for increasing both depth and breadth of knowledge in the field of human services. Research is critical to the advancement of knowledge in this profession. In addition to course-related research activities, students in this PhD program will complete a dissertation, which is a major piece of original research.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession shall carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. The University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification. Further, a criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the PhD in Human Services program will be able to:

  1. Design research related to human services theories and systems;
  2. Critique incorporation of social justice matters in human services organizations;
  3. Assess human services performance structures, capacity building, and talent development implementation strategies;
  4. Evaluate concepts, skills, and policies and initiatives that are fundamental to ethical and legal practice in the human services settings;
  5. Formulate strategies to navigate the complexities of human services systems based on best practices;
  6. Advocate for specific strategies, standards, policies, practices, and service delivery methods using multiple communication method; and
  7. Evaluate the impact of social and cultural diversity in the human services field.

Program-Specific Requirements

Dissertation

Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. Please refer to Dissertation in this section of this Catalog for more information on Dissertation requirements.

In-Residence Workshop

Students in this program have an In-Residence Workshop requirement. These workshops are a graduation requirement. The In-Residence Workshop Series supports the completion of the dissertation. Please refer to the In-Residence Workshop Requirement in this section of this Catalog for more information on the In-Residence Workshop requirements.

Major Course Requirements (47 credits)

  • HUM 7100 History & Systems of Human Services (3 credits)
  • RES 7115 Research Foundations I (3 credits)
  • HUM 8105 Applied Human Services Policy (3 credits)
  • ORG 8518 Professional & Business Ethics in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
  • HUM 7175 Program Review & Evaluation (3 credits)
  • RES 7410 Research Design & Methods – Qualitative (3 credits)
  • HUM 8115 Theories & Strategies of Community Development & Advocacy (3 credits)
  • HUM 7160 Organizational Operations & Human Services Administration (3 credits)
  • RES 7400 Research Design & Methods – Quantitative (3 credits)
  • RES 7480 Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • RES 7120 Research Foundations II (3 credits)

Research Course Requirement (3 credits - students will choose one of the following courses)

  • RES 7415 Advanced Statistics (3 credits)
  • RES 7440 Advanced Study in Qualitative Research (3 credits)

Research Conceptualization and Dissertation Courses

  • RES 8780 Research Conceptualization and Design (4 credits)
  • RES 8910 Dissertation Planning I (1 credit)
  • RES 8912 Dissertation Planning II (1 credit)
  • RES 8971 Dissertation I (1 credit)
  • RES 8972 Dissertation II (1 credit)
  • RES 8973 Dissertation III (1 credit)
  • RES 8974 Dissertation IV (1 credit)
  • RES 8975 Dissertation V (1 credit)

*Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. In RES 8974 and RES 8975 the Dissertation Support Fee will no longer be charged.

Standard Program of Study, Specialization (15 credits)

  • HUM 7140 Socio-Cultural Determinants in Society (3 credits)
  • HUM 7170 Financial & Grant Management (3 credits)
  • HUM 8125 Performance & Quality Management (3 credits)
  • HUM 8215 Special, Vulnerable, & Underserved Populations in Human Services (3 credits)
  • HUM 8225 Human Services Information Technology (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the PhD in Human Services, a student must successfully complete the following:

  • The approved program consisting of 62 credits;
  • Dissertation requirements;
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework attempted at the University; and
  • Three non-credit In-Residence Workshops.

The degree will be noted on the transcript as a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services with specialization as applicable.

Note: The date of degree conferral recorded on the student’s transcript and diploma will reflect the date the student completes all academic degree requirements. However, release of diplomas, and verifications for degrees awarded are contingent upon submission of the Petition to Graduate form, payment of the graduation fee, and payment of any outstanding balances with the University.

 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organizational Development and Leadership

Degree Focus

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organizational Development and Leadership program is designed for students with career aspirations in applying the principles of psychology of human performance in organizations to improve organizational operations and strategic execution. The PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership resembles the traditional scientist-practitioner model for the student who desires more preparation in the application of research, statistics, assessment, and related methodologies in organizational psychology.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession shall carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. The University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification. Further, a criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership program will be able to:

  1. Design research projects that employ evidence-based methods and practices, and are framed within legal and ethical boundaries;
  2. Assess the influence of cultural dynamics, organizational strategies, innovation, and change processes in teams and organizations;
  3. Create evidence-based solutions and strategies associated with human and organizational performance, organizational structure and functioning, behavior and learning, and growth and innovation;
  4. Evaluate models, concepts, skills, and initiatives that are fundamental to the ethical operation of diverse and multicultural organizations and the ethical practice of organizational leaders; and
  5. Synthesize leadership knowledge, skills and competencies applicable in complex, multicultural team and organizational settings.

Program-Specific Requirements

Dissertation

Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. Please refer to Dissertation in this section of this Catalog for more information on Dissertation requirements.

In-Residence Workshop

Students in this program have an In-Residence Workshop requirement. These workshops are a graduation requirement. The In-Residence Workshop Series supports the completion of the dissertation. Please refer to the In-Residence Workshop Requirement in this section of this Catalog for more information on the In-Residence Workshop requirements.

Major Course Requirements (44 credits)

  • ORG 7102 Advanced Seminar: Leadership & Management (3 credits)
  • ORG 8511 Advanced Topics in Performance Management (3 credits)
  • RES 7115 Research Foundations I (3 credits)
  • ORG 8510 Advanced Seminar: Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)
  • ORG 8518 Professional & Business Ethics in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
  • RES 7410 Research Design & Methods – Qualitative (3 credits)
  • RES 7400 Research Design & Methods – Quantitative (3 credits)
  • RES 7402 Advanced Tests & Measurements (3 credits)
  • ORG 7101 Assessment Tools for Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
  • RES 7120 Research Foundations II (3 credits)

Research Course Requirement (3 credits - students will choose one of the following courses)

  • RES 7415 Advanced Statistics (3 credits)
  • RES 7440 Advanced Study in Qualitative Research (3 credits)

Research Conceptualization and Dissertation Courses

  • RES 8780 Research Conceptualization and Design (4 credits)
  • RES 8910 Dissertation Planning I (1 credit)
  • RES 8912 Dissertation Planning II (1 credit)
  • RES 8971 Dissertation I (1 credit)
  • RES 8972 Dissertation II (1 credit)
  • RES 8973 Dissertation III (1 credit)
  • RES 8974 Dissertation IV (1 credit)
  • RES 8975 Dissertation V (1 credit)

*Students writing a Dissertation must complete a total of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Dissertation credit, one credit per term. In RES 8974 and RES 8975 the Dissertation Support Fee will no longer be charged.

Specializations (18 credits)

Standard Program of Study

  • ORG 7701 Theoretical Foundations for Diversity Work (3 credits)
  • ORG 8512 Leadership & Organizational Cultures (3 credits)
  • ORG 8532 Advanced Seminar: The Leader as Coach (3 credits)
  • ORG 8615 Advanced Topics in Organizational Development & Leadership (3 credits)
  • ORG 8213 Strategic Talent Development (3 credits)
  • ORG 8534 Advanced Seminar: Human Resources Business Strategy (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership, a student must successfully complete the following:

  • The approved program consisting of 62 credits;
  • Dissertation requirements;
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework attempted at the University; and
  • Three non-credit In-Residence Workshops.

The degree will be noted on the transcript as a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Development and Leadership with specialization as applicable.

Note: The date of degree conferral recorded on the student’s transcript and diploma will reflect the end of the term in which the student completes all degree requirements. However, release of diplomas, and verifications for degrees awarded are contingent upon submission of an electronic version of the Dissertation for binding, the Petition to Graduate form, payment of the graduation fee, and payment of any outstanding balances with the University.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Degree Focus

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), program is designed for students who are, or desire to be, practitioners in particular disciplines such as Criminology and Justice, Sport and Performance Psychology and Health and Wellness Psychology, and others that have in common a desire to demonstrate service to the community through improving the emotional and mental health of clients. PsyD students become practitioner-scholars by becoming knowledgeable of the theory, research, and evidence-based practice in their specializations. The culminating Applied Doctoral Project becomes a personal contribution to the field of practice and of scholarship.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession shall carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. The University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification. Further, a criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study.

This program is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional. There is no practicum or internship associated with this degree.

California Students: This program does not lead to licensure. According to the California Board of Psychology, candidates for licensure as a psychologist must have a qualifying doctoral degree. The Board of Behavioral Sciences which governs licensure for LMFT, APCC, LPCC, LEP, and LCSW, requires candidates to meet didactic requirements and rigorous practicum/supervised professional hours that range between 500 to 2000 hours depending on the type of license. Coursework in the Doctor of Psychology at UAGC may partially meet didactic requirements for CA licensure but that evaluation is done by the respective boards, and the purpose of the program is not designed to prepare students for licensure of any type. A criminal history background check by fingerprint via a Live Scan service must be passed that may include an investigation into felony and misdemeanor convictions. For additional details regarding the CA requirements for obtaining licensure as a psychologist, please visit: https://www.psychology.ca.gov/licensees/index.shtml.
 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the PsyD program will be able to:

  1. Apply best practices in the field regarding professional values, ethics, attitudes, and behaviors;
  2. Exhibit culturally diverse standards in working professionally with individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds;
  3. Utilize a comprehensive knowledge base grounded in theoretical models, evidence-based methods, and research in the discipline;
  4. Integrate leadership skills appropriate in the field of psychology; and
  5. Critically evaluate applied research methods, trends, and concepts.

Program-Specific Requirements

Applied Doctoral Project

Students completing an Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) must complete a minimum of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Applied Doctoral Project credit, one credit per term. Please refer to Dissertation & Applied Doctoral Project in this section of this Catalog for more information on Applied Doctoral Project requirements.

*Returning students who have completed their data collection effectively and are only completing the final 2 chapters (ch. 4 and ch. 5) of their dissertation may request to stay in dissertation from the Division of Advanced Studies. Note that all previous milestones must have been successfully met. Please refer to Dissertation & Applied Doctoral Project in this section of this catalog from more information on Dissertation requirements.

In-Residence Workshop

Students in this program have an In-Residence Workshop requirement. These workshops are a graduation requirement. The In-Residence Workshop Series supports the completion of the applied doctoral project. Please refer to the In-Residence Workshop Requirement in this section of this Catalog for more information on the In-Residence Workshop requirements.

Major Course Requirements (41 credits)

  • PSY 7512 Psychology of Leadership (3 credits)
  • PSY 7510 Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)
  • RES 7115 Research Foundations I (3 credits)
  • ORG 7272 Group Process & Group Leadership in Organizations (3 credits)
  • RES 7302 Applied Research I (3 credits)
  • PSY 7210 Adult Psychopathology & Treatment I (3 credits)
  • RES 7480 Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • ORG 7101 Assessment Tools for Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
  • RES 7430 Applied Research II (3 credits)
  • RES 7120 Research Foundations II (3 credits)

Research Conceptualization and Applied Doctoral Project Courses

  • RES 8780 Research Conceptualization and Design (4 credits)
  • RES 8920 Applied Doctoral Project Planning I (1 credit)
  • RES 8922 Applied Doctoral Project Planning II (1 credit)
  • RES 8981-8985 Applied Doctoral Project (5 credits)*

*Students satisfactorily progressing through the ADP experience, but not meeting the required milestones in the designated timeframe, will be required to reenroll in the corresponding ADP experience. Students needing more than two reenrollments in any of the ADP courses will need to appeal to remain in the program and complete the designated milestone(s).

Specializations (21 credits)

Criminology and Justice Studies

  • ORG 8571 Contemporary Criminological Theory (3 credits)
  • ORG 8573 Types & Characteristics of Crime (3 credits)
  • ORG 8575 Advanced Analysis of Criminal Justice Processes (3 credits)
  • ORG 8577 Juvenile Justice (3 credits)
  • ORG 8580 Mental Health & Crime (3 credits)
  • ORG 8582 Drugs, Addiction, & Crime (3 credits)
  • ORG 8586 Evaluating Criminal Justice Interventions (3 credits)

Health and Wellness Psychology

  • ORG 8510 Advanced Seminar: Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)
  • ORG 8300 International Comparison of Health Insurance Systems (3 credits)
  • ORG 7343 Advanced Intervention Strategies in Wellness Programming (3 credits)
  • ORG 8320 Environmental Stress on Mind & Body (3 credits)
  • ORG 8340 Exploring the Self: Increasing the Efficiency of Helping Others (3 credits)
  • ORG 8500 Advanced Topics in Organizational Consulting (3 credits)
  • ORG 7356 Integrative Medicine in Health Promotion Programs (3 credits)

Sport and Performance Psychology

  • PSY 7301 Advanced Performance Enhancement I: Core Mind-Body Practices (3 credits)
  • PSY 7305 Advanced Psychomotor Development & Kinesiology (3 credits)
  • PSY 7310 Ethics in Sport & Performance Psychology Consultation (3 credits)
  • PSY 7314 Rehabilitation in Sports & Performance (3 credits)
  • PSY 7330 Sport & Performance Psychology as a Business (3 credits)
  • PSY 7320 Multicultural Concepts in Sport Psychology (3 credits)
  • PSY 7321 Advanced Performance Enhancement III: The Psychology of Peak Experience (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the PsyD, a student must successfully complete the following:

  • The approved program consisting of 62 credits;
  • Applied Doctoral Project requirements;
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework attempted at the University; and
  • Three non-credit In-Residence Workshops.

The degree will be noted on the transcript as a Doctor of Psychology with specialization as applicable.

Note: The date of degree conferral recorded on the student’s transcript and diploma will reflect the end of the term in which the student completes all degree requirements. However, release of diplomas, and verifications for degrees awarded are contingent upon submission of an electronic version of the Applied Doctoral Project or Dissertation for binding, the Petition to Graduate form, payment of the graduation fee, and payment of any outstanding balances with the University.

 

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