Length of Study: The length of study in a doctorate degree program is at a minimum of

three (3) years or nine (9) semesters and a maximum of seven (7) years. The normal length of study for a student with a bachelor’s degree is 4-5 years. The normal length of study for a student with a master’s degree is 3-4 years. Request for an extension of the study period beyond 7 years due to special reasons requires approvals by both the Doctoral Program Committee and the School Dean.

3. Each doctoral program curriculum is presented in a sequence of course categories in the order of the

level of study involved, ending with the doctoral dissertation courses. Courses numbered in 500’s and above are graduate courses. A number of courses numbered in 400’s with a “G” suffix are scheduled among the required foundation courses and the students may earn graduate credit by taking these courses at NPU.

The doctoral student is advised to take the required courses following the specified sequence unless the student receives permission from the registration advisor.

The goal of the dissertation research is to apply technologies, knowledge, or concepts in a new way to a workplace problem.

DCE program: Upon entering the DCE program

of study, the student is required to select a

concentration area.

4. All courses require appropriate usage of research and learning resources.

5. Checkpoint:

(a) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Upon completing 54 units towards the graduation requirements, including the foundation requirements, the Research Methodology courses as well as part of the core courses, the student is required to have a Dissertation Committee (DC), and submit a Preliminary Proposal and give an oral presentation to his/her DC. The proposal requirements are specified in the DBA Student Handbook. The student’s proposal and presentation will be evaluated by his/her DC. Students unable to make a satisfactory proposal presentation will be given a second and the last chance to repeat the process. Failure in the second time will prohibit the student from continuing his/her study in the DBA program. (b) Doctor of Computer Engineering (DCE): When the DCE student completes the Foundation Requirements and the Concentration Area Requirements (chosen by the student), the DCE program administrator will conduct a review of the student’s academic records. If the student has made satisfactory progress by maintaining at least a 3.0 CGPA, he/she will be notified to take three (3) written Qualifying Examinations (QE). The QE consist of three (3) subject areas: Two subjects are among the Foundation Requirements subjects and the third subject is in the area of the student’s chosen concentration area.

A DCE student failing the QE the first time may be given a second and the last chance to take the

57 exams after six (6) months. The second exam must be taken within one year after the first exam. Failing the QE the second time will disqualify the student from a pursuit of the DCE degree.

6. Each doctoral student’s dissertation or comprehensive research project must be reviewed, evaluated, and assessed by a Dissertation Committee (DC) approved by designated members of the Doctoral Program Committee of the respective doctorate degree program; the DC must include at least one individual who is either from another appropriately accredited institution within the subject area or a professional who has earned a terminal degree. A dissertation advisor closely monitors the student’s dissertation work. The student receives either an “S” or letter grade for satisfactory performance and earns the credits or an “NP” grade for unsatisfactory performance without earning credit in each semester the doctoral dissertation/project course is taken by the student.

7. The doctoral student is required to maintain a minimum of 3.0 CGPA every semester during the entire tenure of study. In addition, a grade of “B- “ or better is required in all courses. A doctoral student on academic probation status is given one semester to regain the required CGPA. Failure to do so will result in a dismissal of the student from the doctorate degree program.

8. Students enrolled in the doctoral dissertation or research project courses must follow the requirements specified in the Doctoral Student Handbook for the program that the students are pursuing. A student unable to complete the dissertation or project after earning 12 units in the dissertation/project course is required to continue to enroll in the 6-unit doctoral dissertation course part-II as a continuing student and pay at the regular unit tuition rate until completion of the dissertation/project. Extra credits earned for repeatedly taking the dissertation/project cannot substitute other course requirements.

9. Students with no or limited experience in the work environment they are prepared to enter are required to engage in curricular practicum before

graduation. A student may earn a maximum of 6 credit units through practicum.

10. An approved petition for graduation must be on file.

11. The student must maintain good standing with the University.

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Student Discipline, Student life, and

Facilities

Refer to the sections on “Student Discipline”, “Student Life”, “Facilities”, and others for relevant information unless otherwise stated in this section on “Doctorate Degree Programs”.

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Faculty

All faculty members serving as doctoral dissertation/project or academic advisors possess graduate and terminal degrees, have demonstrated proper academic preparation and experience, and hold the same educational philosophy consistent with the university to encourage the best efforts of each learner. Faculty members are encouraged to engage in practical or scholarly research and to publish in professional journals.

Faculty members are to inspire, motivate, and direct student usage of the learning resources.

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Library & Instructional Resources

Library and instructional resources are vital to the faculty as well as the doctoral students in their teaching/learning and research activities. The school is equipped with its on-campus learning facilities as well as the online learning resource environment to meet such needs. In this catalog, detail information is described in the sections on “Teaching and Research Facilities” and “The University Library and Digital Campus”. In addition, the university learning resource facilities provide a specific research tool to support the doctoral students in their course work studies and research activities.

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