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Doctoral Degree Programs
NPU offers two doctorate degree programs:
1. Mission
The mission of the doctorate degree programs is to provide an opportunity for
the students to attain professional and practical competence which qualifies the
students for opportunities and additional responsibilities beyond the master's
degree level. The doctorate programs are offered with the emphasis of
practical and real-world applications in both the course work and the doctoral
thesis requirements.
2. Objectives
The doctorate degree programs emphasize both mastery of subject matter as well
as an understanding of related research and research methodology for
professional-oriented projects/theses. The programs aim to develop the
student's ability to integrate and apply original and practical research into
the subject matter. Each program is designed for the student to
accomplish specified goals and objectives and contribute to competence in the
subject area or profession at an advanced level.
3. Doctoral Advisory Committees
Each doctorate degree program is governed by its Doctoral Advisory
Committee. The committee is responsible for developing, modifying, and
maintaining the doctorate degree program. Committee members include
qualified NPU faculty and administrators as well as other qualified
professionals or practitioners not affiliated with NPU. Each committee is
knowledgeable in methods of research and in the subject matter, co-chaired by
credentialed individuals with expertise in the program area.
While pursuing their studies in the doctorate program, the students are
required to work with their respective Doctoral Advisory Committee as well as
advisors appointed by the committee.
4. Applicant Qualifications
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Earned Bachelor's or Master's degrees in a related field with a cumulative
GPA of 3.0 or above from an accredited or government recognized
institution,
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Strong interest in advanced study in the chosen subject area; independent research ability,
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English proficiency,
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Previous work experience in related field is preferred.
* A DBA Applicant without a previous degree in a related field may be accepted based on the level of degree earned and years of work experience.
Acceptable degree qualifications are:
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a combination of a doctorate degree and at least two years of work experience and
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a combination of a master's degree and at least three years of work experience.
5. Admission Policies
NPU admits qualified students to pursue their studies in the doctorate degree
programs with the following policies:
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NPU admits all qualified individuals into the university without regard to
race, religion, sex, ethnic origin, or physical handicap.
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NPU makes education available to all individuals who meet the qualifications
for entrance into NPU.
6. Application Material
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A completed application form for the doctorate degree program (online
application is available),
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Application fee,
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Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and certified degree
document(s). All official transcripts must be
received before the admission evaluation. Applicants enrolled in
courses at another institution at the time of application will have 60 days
after the completion of the courses to provide the updated transcript.
Any other transcripts submitted after the admission evaluation will not be
accepted,Failure to observe this requirement will result in placement of
the student in a non-degree status.
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Evidence of English proficiency: Refer to the section on English Proficiency Requirement
on page 4 for detailed description on the requirement. For international students, TEOFL or
IELTS scores are acceptable; the passing TOEFL scores for the doctoral applicants are: 550, 213,
and 79 for paper based, computer based and Internet based tests respectively; the passing IELTS score is 6.5.,
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Entrance exam: Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration degree
program are required to take the GMAT or the on-campus equivalent test before or on the New Student Orientation Day.
For taking the GMAT administered by the ETS, NPU's Institution code for
reporting the GMAT scores is 5485. Applicants to the Doctor of
Computer Engineering degree program are required to take the GRE or the on-campus equivalent text before or
on the New Student Orientation Day. For taking the GRE administered by the ETS, NPU's Institution code for
reporting the GRE scores is 5485. The score is primarily used for reference and analysis purposes,
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A professional work history or a professional vita preferred; the document is required for the DBA applicants
without a previous degree in a related field. In this case, an employment certification letter issued by the
applicant's employer is required,
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Each applicant to the DCE program is required to submit a Statement Of Purpose (SOP).
The SOP must describe the applicant's background preparation, motivation, and reason why he/she considers him/herself
having the qualifications to purse the DCE degree; it must also describe the applicant's research interest.
Applicants to the DBA program are encouraged to also submit their SOP.
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An international applicant is also required to submit the following
additional documents: a financial support document - either the
applicant's bank statement or a certified affidavit of support (form
I-134 or equivalent) from a financial sponsor indicating a minimum amount of
$24,000 available for the applicant to pursue his/her study in the first
academic year at NPU; A transfer student is required to submit a (a)
photocopy of his/her previous I-20 form and request the previous
international student advisor to complete the International Student Transfer
Record form for NPU and conduct the required SEVIS transfer process, and (b)
photocopies of the student's passport, visa, and I-94(admission & departure)
document upon arrival at NPU..
7. Notification of Admission
Normally, prospective students may expect to receive notification of admission
status within two weeks after filing complete application materials with the
Admissions Office.
8. Cancellation of Admission
If an applicant is accepted into a doctorate degree program for a given
semester and does not begin classes in that semester, admission will
automatically be canceled. The prospective student's application records
(transcripts from previous colleges, financial support documents for
international students, and standardized test scores) are kept on file for a
period of six months from the semester start date. If the applicant then
wishes to be considered for readmission in a later semester, he/she will be
required to resubmit an Application Form and pay a re-application fee. A
reevaluation of admission will be made for the applicant.
9. Transfer of Credit
Students who wish to transfer graduate credit from
another recognized institution are allowed to transfer a maximum of twenty (20)
graduate semester units towards a doctorate degree at NPU. The minimum
required grade is B- or better.
Life/Work Experience: No credit will be awarded for life or work
experience.
10. Admission Evaluation
The admission committee for each doctoral degree program will conduct an
admission evaluation for each applicant based on the official records received
from the applicant. An evaluation report will be generated for the
applicant; it includes an academic background evaluation and credit transfer
information. A layout of the program requirements is also given in the
report.
The background requirements for each doctoral degree program are specified in
the section of "Undergraduate Preparation" near the beginning of the program
description.
11. Tuition
Tuition for courses taken to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Doctor
of Business Administration program is $420/unit. Tuition for courses
taken to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Doctor of Computer
Engineering program is $450/unit.
Refer to the sections on "Tuition and Fees" and "Refund Policy" in this catalog
for other fees and refund information.
12. Academic Information
Refer to the section on "Academic Information" in this catalog for the academic
policies and regulations observed by all students.
13. Graduation Requirements
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A minimum of 102 semester units beyond the bachelor's degree are required to
complete the study of a doctoral degree program, including 90 units of
course work plus a minimum of 12 units of doctoral thesis or a
comprehensive capstone project.
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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 Advisory Committee and the Dean of Academic
Affairs.
- In each doctoral degree program, there are four categories of course requirements listed in the following sequence:
- Foundation courses
- Core courses
- Advanced major studies and elective courses
- Doctoral dissertation/project
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 must take the required courses following the
specified sequence unless the student receives permission from the registration advisor.
Near the beginning of a student's study in the DCE program, the student is required
to select a concentration area.
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All courses require appropriate usage of research and learning resources.
- Checkpoint:
- (a) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Upon completing 54 units towards
the degree requirements, including the foundation requirements, the Research Methodology
course as well as part of the core courses, the student is required to submit a Statement
of Proposal and give an oral presentation to a committee organized by the program administrator
or the Doctoral Advisory Committee. The proposal should include at least the student's learning
objective, practical research plan, and showing ability to integrate and apply practical research
into the subject matter. The student's proposal and presentation will be evaluated by the appointed
committee. Students unable to make a satisfactory statement of proposal will be given a second chance
to repeat the process. Failure in the second time will prohibit the student from continuing his/her study in the DBA program.
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Doctor of Computer Engineering (DCE): Upon completing 18 units towards the degree requirements,
including the Foundation Requirements and the Required Elective Courses, 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 GPA, he/she will be notified to take three (3) written Qualifying Examinations
(QE). The QE consists 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 Required Electives.
A student failing the QE the first time may be given a second chance to take the exams after six (6) months.
Failing the QE the second time will disqualify the student from a pursuit of the DCE degree.
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Each doctoral student's dissertation or comprehensive capstone project must be reviewed, evaluated,
and assessed by a Dissertation Committee (DC) appointed by the Doctoral Advisory Committee of the
doctorate degree program; the DC must include at least one individual from another appropriately accredited
institution within the subject area. 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.
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The student is required to maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA every semester
during the entire tenure of study. In addition, a grade of "B-" or
better is required in all courses.
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Students enrolled in the doctoral thesis or project course must follow the
requirements specified in the Doctoral Thesis Handbook. A student
unable to complete the doctoral thesis or project after earning 12 units in
the thesis/project course is required to continue to enroll in the 6-unit
doctoral thesis course part-II in the following semester and pay at the
regular unit tuition rate until completion of the thesis/project.
Extra credits earned for repeatedly taking the thesis/project can not
substitute other course requirements.
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An approved petition for graduation must be on file.
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The student must maintain good standing with the University.
14. 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 "Doctoral Degree Programs".
15. Faculty
All faculty members
serving as doctoral project/thesis 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
library resources.
16. Library & Instructional
Resources
Library and
instructional
resources are vital to the faculty as well as the doctoral students in
their learning and research activities. The school is equipped
with its on campus Learning Resource Center as well as the on-line 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 Learning Resource Facility" on pages 30-35. In addition,
the university has an internal IT division to provide information management and
development services to support the doctorate degree program students in their
pursuit of
the course work studies and thesis research.
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