As a requirement for graduation from the University of Arizona Global Campus with a doctoral degree each student must complete and successfully defend original Doctoral Research in a culminating body of work. The Doctoral Research phase begins after successful completion of the Doctoral Research Conceptualization course and approval of an appropriate research project and research questions. Research topics and questions are formalized in the Doctoral Research Planning I and II courses.
Dissertation
The purpose of the Dissertation is to develop appropriate research questions that are systematically evaluated through thoughtful research design and analyses. The aim of the research is to investigate an unknown aspect of a relevant topic within the discipline in order to contribute to the larger understanding of a particular issue or observed phenomenon. The Dissertation requirement is also designed to contribute to the student’s knowledge, skills, and research expertise in the discipline.
Students are enrolled in a series of five (5) Dissertation courses for one credit each. Students are expected to meet the dissertation milestones in each course. Students who make satisfactory progress towards the milestone but who do not fully meet the milestone within the designated timeframe may repeat the courses up to two times. If the milestone is not met by the third attempt, then students will earn a “Not Passing" (NP) grade. Three NP grades will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissed students should refer to the Appeal of Academic Dismissal policy outlined in this Catalog. For details around repeated courses see the General Academic Information Repeated Courses – Doctoral policy.
Prerequisites, timelines for completion, and attendance requirements for Dissertation, as well as a detailed explanation of each step in the process, are described in the Dissertation Handbook.
Applied Doctoral Project
Consistent with the philosophy and purpose of a PsyD degree, the Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) will demonstrate a student’s mastery of a particular topic of relevance and the application of scholarly knowledge and skills. Given the broad diversity of topics, fields, methodologies, settings, and applications relevant to students’ chosen careers within the University’s PsyD programs, the nature and format of the ADP is by necessity flexible, including quantitative and qualitative approaches, action research, historical analysis, observational studies, theoretical inquiries, case studies, program evaluations, and other research methodologies.
Students are enrolled in Applied Doctoral Project for a minimum of five (5) credits (RES 8981-8985). Students are expected to meet the Applied Doctoral Project milestones in each course. Students who make satisfactory progress towards the milestone but who do not fully meet the milestone within the designated timeframe may repeat the courses up to two times. If the milestone is not met by the third attempt, then students will earn a “Not Passing” (NP) grade. Three NP grades will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissed students should refer to the Appeal of Academic Dismissal policy outlined in this Catalog. For details around repeated courses see the General Academic Information Repeated Courses – Doctoral policy.
Prerequisites, timelines for completion, and attendance requirements for Applied Doctoral Project, as well as a detailed explanation of each step in the process, are described in the Applied Doctoral Project Handbook.
Student Portfolio
Students are encouraged to create portfolios during the course of their program to showcase their best work and to have a document to utilize and submit when applying for employment or promotions.
Doctoral Candidacy
Doctoral Candidacy will be considered following the Doctoral Research committee approval of the Research Proposal and successful completion of the Preliminary Oral Defense. Prior to Doctoral Candidacy being considered, the student should be referred to as a doctoral student; following approval, the students can be referred to as a doctoral candidate. Doctoral candidacy is not official degree conferral.
Program Time Limits
Doctoral Programs
All Doctoral programs have a seven (7) year time limit for completion starting from the time a student enters the first term of any Doctoral program. Students who do not complete their degree program within the required time limit may be dismissed from the University.
In some circumstances, Doctoral Degrees may take longer to complete if students do not meet their milestones, maintain full-time status, take an academic leave, retake a course, or fail the Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project defense. Program completion milestones and deadlines are calculated based on the first date of attendance in the student’s program.
In documented extenuating circumstances, Deans may approve an extension to the maximum time for completion. Doctoral program completion time limits do not supersede the obligation to maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the student’s program of study. Approved extensions may not exceed the requirements to maintain satisfactory academic progress. For the full Satisfactory Academic Progress policies, please see that policy under in the General Academic Information and Policies section of this Catalog.