PhD Services

1. PhD Services The work required to complete a PhD varies across academic disciplines and universities, though earning a PhD typically requires the following elements: Completing coursework  Completing one or more doctoral residency experiences  Passing a comprehensive assessment or exam  Developing and completing an independent research project  Seeking approval of your completed dissertation manuscript  Here’s a closer look at each step. Coursework With this primary step in the PhD process, you will participate in courses related to your field of study. The goal here is to develop deep subject-matter expertise. You’ll also become familiar with the key topics, theories, methodologies and concerns related to your discipline. The skills and foundational knowledge you gain in your coursework will serve as the basis for generating potential research topics, such as those you will use in your dissertation. Residency Often offered virtually, residencies provide structure, training and detailed feedback to guide you as you develop your research plan and gather essential elements for your dissertation. Residences give you a chance to focus on specific study and activities related to preparing your dissertation. You will connect with faculty and peers during this rigorous academic experience. They can help you focus your research plan by giving feedback and discussing relevant topics. Your residency is where you can make significant progress on your dissertation, including selecting an acceptable topic and developing a robust proposal for the project.