Doctoral Degree Programs

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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

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,
Strong interest in advanced study in the chosen subject area,
English proficiency,
Previous work experience in related field is preferred.

5. Admission Policies

NPU admits qualified students to pursue their studies in the doctorate degree programs with the following policies:

NPU admits all qualified individuals into the university without regard to race, religion, sex, ethnic origin, or physical handicap.
NPU makes education available to all individuals who meet the qualifications for entrance into NPU.

6. Application Material

A completed application form for the doctorate degree program (online application is available),
Application fee,
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including at least one showing a completed undergraduate program in related field and a photocopy of the degree document. 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,
Evidence of English proficiency: Follow the same policy established for all applicants. Refer to the section on "Entrance English Requirement" in the section under "Admission Policies" in this catalog,
Entrance exam: Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration degree program are required to take the GMAT. 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. NPU's Institution code for reporting the GRE scores is 5485. Applicants without the GMAT/GRE score will be required to take an equivalent placement test at NPU before or on the New Student Orientation Day. The score is primarily used for reference and analysis purposes,
A professional work history or a professional vita preferred,
An international applicant is also required to submit the following additional documents: (a) 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; (6) a transfer student is required to submit 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) upon arrival to NPU, photocopies of the student's passport, visa, and I-94 (admission & departure) document.

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 $390/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

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.
Length of Study: The length of study in a doctorate degree program is at a minimum of three (3) years 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.
All courses require appropriate usage of research and library resources.
Statement of Purpose: Upon completing 30 graduate units in Foundation Requirements, the student is required to submit a statement of purpose to the Doctoral Advisory Committee, or its appointed academic committee. The student will be requested to also make an oral presentation. The statement 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. Students unable to make a satisfactory statement of purpose may be advised to pursue a master's degree instead. This serves as a checkpoint in the student's pursuit of the doctoral study.
The doctoral thesis or comprehensive capstone project must be reviewed, evaluated, and assessed by a committee appointed by the respective Doctoral Advisory Committee; the evaluating committee must include at least one individual from another appropriately accredited institution within the subject area. 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 thesis is being conducted.
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 and thesis.
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.
An approved petition for graduation must be on file.
The student must maintain good standing with the University.

In each doctoral degree program, there are four categories of course requirements:

Foundation courses
Core courses
Advanced major studies and elective courses
Doctoral thesis/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.

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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