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 (see “Grading for DIS Courses” below).

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

Chapter 1 and Establishment of Doctoral Advisory Committee

1) Topic approved by the university

2) Committee-approved Chapter 1

3) Complete your CITI training

DIS996

Chapter 2: Literature Review

1) Committee-approved Chapter 2

DIS997

Chapter 3: Methodology and Ethics

1) Committee-approved proposal (Chapters 1-3),

2) University-approved proposal

3) 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).

4) IRB Approval

DIS998

Chapter 4: Research and Results

1) Committee-approved Chapter 4

DIS999

Discussion of Findings and Oral Defense

1) Committee-approved dissertation (Chapters 1-5)

2) University-approved dissertation

3) Pass final oral defense

Grading for DIS Courses

Students will be required to pass each dissertation course with an A, B, or U. Failure to pass your course work could result in dismissal from the program. The grades you earn in your dissertation coursework will could toward your cumulative GPA.

Doctoral Residencies

Doctoral Residency I: All EDD and DSCS students are required to attend a virtual residency within RSH900. This residency covers the Aspen Library, Student Support, and Advising Teams, Understanding Doctoral Resources, Time Management Strategies, and Self Care. Students reflect on the information and share their reflections as an assignment in the course.

Doctoral Residency II: All EDD and DSCS students must attend a weeklong residency within the D2L classroom with required discussion questions and assignments. The weeklong residency includes two live Zoom sessions with doctoral faculty and doctoral leadership, introducing the expectations and workshopping the topics covered in the residency. The goal of this residency is to allow doctoral students to collaborate and connect with Aspen faculty and peers. Completion of this requirement is due in Module 7 of RSH912. Doctoral Residency II is offered quarterly, and students may select one of the weeklong offerings to complete to meet the course requirement. Information on the residency dates and FAQs are located in the Doctoral Lounge.