College of Psychology and Community Services:

PhD in Human Services

For Students Entering With an MS Degree (Track 1)

Minimum Degree Requirements

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Core courses (20 credits)
• Specialization or Elective courses (15 credits)
• Research courses (20 credits)
• Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
  • Dissertation support course (5 credits)
  • Communities of Practice and Research (CPR) courses (5 credits; continuously enrolled in 1 credits per term for a minimum of 5 terms until CPR completion)
  • Dissertation writing courses (continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 3 terms until completion)
  • Quarter Plans
• Four residencies

Core Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (20 credits)

Foundation Research Courses (15 credits)

Courses composing the Foundation Research Sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8210 and RSCH 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.

Advanced Research Course (5 credits)

PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.

One of the following three courses is required:

Residency Requirements

• Complete residency 1 in term 1; required in order to advance into RSCH 8110.Complete residency 2 between terms 2 and 5; required in order to advance into HUMN 8550.Complete residency 3 between terms 6 and 7; required in order to advance into HUMN 9000/9001.Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as:
  • Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
  • Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
  • Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
  • an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
  • a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000/9001 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements. NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
• Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.

Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation

Students take this course for a minimum of three quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Course Sequence for Students Entering With an MS Degree (Track 1)

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

* Students take this course for a minimum of three quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.