Overview of the Doctorate Degree Program

The doctoral program offers a course of study that emphasizes a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Doctoral candidates are required to complete six doctoral-level courses (18 semester hours); 6 semester hours in a formal research seminar; and 12 semester hours of dissertation work (research studies). A student cannot take a break after starting the research studies portion of the program unless there are extenuating circumstances.

After completing 18 semester hours of doctoral-level courses, the student is eligible to sit for the qualifying examination. The qualifying examination is designed and administered by the candidate’s dissertation committee. The examination is comprised of both oral and written requirements including the committee’s approval of the candidate’s dissertation proposal.

A doctoral candidate may form a partnership with another institution in order to utilize that institution’s facilities for research and project development, enlist doctoral faculty from another institution as dissertation or project committee members, or take appropriate post-master’s courses from that institution.