Doctoral Degree Programs

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Computer Engineering (DCE)

1. Earned Bachelor's degrees; a college degree in a related field* with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from an accredited or government  recognized institution,
2. Strong interest in advanced study in the chosen subject area,
3. independent research ability,
4. English proficiency,
   
5. Previous work experience related to student’s field of study is preferred. Students with no or little experience in the work environment they will be prepared to enter will be required to conduct curricular practicum before graduation.

* 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:

1. a combination of a doctorate degree and at least two years of work experience and
2. a combination of a master's degree and at least three years of work experience.

DCE applicant: A bachelor degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related field is required. A further master's degree in electrical, electronics, or computer engineering is preferred.

• 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.

1. A completed application form for the doctorate degree program (online application is available),
2. Application fee,
3. 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.
4. English requirement:
   1. International students (holding F1 status) should have English skills to effectively communicate with faculty, staff, and other students. An IELTS score of 6.5 or A TOEFL score of 550 on paperbased test, or 213 on computer-based test, or 79 on Internet-based test is required to enter a doctorate degree program.
   2. Non-international students (with non-F1 status) whose native language is English or who used English as the official language in their undergraduate studies are considered meeting the entrance English requirement. Others follow the same requirements as that for international students described in (a).
5. 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,
6. A professional work history or a professional vita. Applicants with prior work experience in his/her study field must also submit an employment certification letter issued by the previous employer to certify the following for the applicant: Company name and address, supervisor’s name and contact information, applicant’s previous job title, and a brief job description.
7. 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.
8. 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 $25,000 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.

1. A minimum of 96 semester units beyond the bachelor's degree are required to complete the study of a doctoral degree program, including 84 units of course work plus a minimum of 12 units of  doctoral dissertation or a comprehensive capstone project.  
2. 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.
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: Near the beginning of a DCE student’s study in the program, the student is required to select a concentration area.
4. All courses require appropriate usage of research and learning resources.
5. Checkpoint:
   1. 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 submit a Preliminary Proposal and give an oral presentation to a committee organized by the program administrator or the Doctoral Committee. The proposal requirements are specified in the DBA Student Handbook. The student’s proposal and presentation will be evaluated by the appointed committee. 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.
   2. 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 exams after six (6) months. 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 capstone project must be reviewed, evaluated, and assessed by a Dissertation Committee (DC) approved by designated members of the Doctoral 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 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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