Coursework

The curriculum is designed to prepare you for the task of completing your dissertation. Throughout the program, you will be reading literature in your general topic area and attending residencies to prepare you for the task ahead. However, there are two specific types of courses directly related to your dissertation.

Research-Preparatory Courses

Research-preparatory courses will get you thinking about your topic and how that topic may lead to your specific research study. During these courses, you will learn skills you must master to complete your dissertation. It is recommended that you enroll in these courses individually (i.e., do not double up and that you devote at least 15-20 hours each week to your studies while in these courses.

Virtual Residency courses (these occur throughout your program and are non-credit)
RSH 900- Doctoral Writing and Inquiry into Research
RSH 910- Research Design and Methodology
RSH 912- Introduction to Dissertation
RSH 916- Problem-Based Practice in Action

Dissertation Courses

You will not officially begin your dissertation until you are enrolled in your DIS courses and are working under the mentorship of your chair. Note: You will be assigned your chair by the Dean or the Dean’s designee. The DIS courses are designed to provide regular and extensive evaluation of your work. This regular evaluation allows for maintaining high quality standards throughout the process. These courses require a minimum of 20 hours/week and are 16 weeks in length. You must meet all milestones prior to the course end date to receiving a passing grade and enroll in the next course.

Grading for DIS Courses

Unlike other coursework, the DIS courses result in a grade of “P” (Passing) and “U” (Unsatisfactory). If a required milestone is not met, a grade of “U” is assigned, and the course may be retaken. A DIS course may be attempted a maximum of three times. If the milestone is not met with the third enrollment, the student is dismissed.

The Applied Research Dissertation (ARD) Milestones by Course

The following table lists the DIS course number, along with the description of the course and the milestones that must occur to pass to the next class.

Course

Description

Milestones

DIS995

Concept Paper and Doctoral Committee Assignment

Topic approved by the university
Committee-approved Chapter 1

DIS996

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Committee-approved Chapter 2
Complete your CITI training

DIS997

Chapter 3: Methodology and Ethics

Committee-approved proposal (Chapters 1-3),
University-approved proposal
Submit your IRB application (note you do not need to receive approval from the IRB prior to the course end date to receive a passing grade).

DIS998

Chapter 4: Research and Results

IRB Approval
Committee-approved Chapter 4

DIS999

Conclusion and Oral Defense

Committee-approved dissertation (Chapters 1-5)
University-approved dissertation
Pass final oral defense