As a requirement for graduation from the University of Arizona Global Campus with a doctoral degree each student must complete and successfully defend original applied doctoral research in a culminating body of work.
Applied Doctoral Project
The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) will demonstrate a student’s mastery of applied research in an organizational setting. The ADP addresses a problem of practice through systematic inquiry, yielding actionable knowledge to improve leadership practice, organizational performance, or community outcomes. Given the broad range of industries, leadership contexts, and professional roles of doctoral students, the applied doctoral project allows for a variety of approaches and designs. The results of approved projects should advance leadership practice and organizational effectiveness.
Following the successful completion of all major, research, and specialization courses, students are enrolled seven (7) consecutive applied doctoral project courses (RES 720-780). Students enrolled in the applied doctoral project course sequence are expected to meet the applied doctoral project milestones in each course. Students who fail to achieve milestones in any applied doctoral project course will receive an NP grade, an unsuccessful grade that may result in dismissal from the program in accordance with doctoral academic requirements. 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.
Doctoral Candidacy
Doctoral Candidacy will be applicable to students who are enrolled in the applied doctoral project course sequence (RES720-RES780). Prior to Doctoral Candidacy, the student should be referred to as a doctoral student; upon enrollment in the applied doctoral project courses, the student 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 five (5) 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 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.