Cyndi H. Gaudet, Ph.D.
Program Director
The Department of Human Capital Development offers the doctor of philosophy in human capital development. The Human Capital Development doctoral program focuses on human capital development through the transfer of research to practice. By developing critical research competencies, professionals are positioned to ask the right questions and help organization leaders make critical decisions about human capital investments. By applying research in the workplace, professionals improve their capacity for driving an organization’s human capital strategy. The Gulf Coast program draws on real-world experience and encourages professionals to engage in research and practice meaningful to their organization. The executive format combines 3-to-5 day, face-to-face courses with online instruction. Faculty and industry experts facilitate a think-tank learning environment where creativity flourishes and students engage with the best minds in human capital and economic development. For additional program information or updates, please contact Cyndi Gaudet, program director, at 228.214.3517 or cyndi.gaudet@usm.edu.
Admission Requirements:
The minimum standards for regular admission are as follows:
- The applicant must present evidence, by official transcript, of a grade point average equivalent of at least 3.5 (calculated on a 4.0 scale) on previous graduate coursework to Southern Miss.
- Applicants must have competitive official GRE or GMAT scores (all sections) (< 10 years old) submitted to Southern Miss.
- Applicant must submit current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) via the online application.
- Applicant must have at least three letters of recommendation submitted from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for doctoral work. Recommendation forms are on the online application - www.usm.edu/graduateschool.
- Applicant must submit a statement of qualifications and a letter of intent specifying areas of interest and career goals. This should be a minimum of five double-spaced pages.
Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the second semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.
Research and Scholarly Integrity Education
All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of fifty-four (54) graduate hours beyond the master’s degree with a 3.0 is required to graduate. Students must meet the general requirements set forth by the Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi. Additional requirements include the satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination, and the satisfactory completion and oral defense of an original research dissertation. Coursework for the Human Capital Development Ph.D. program includes the completion of a General Core (12 semester hours), Research Core (27 semester hours), and Research Concentration (15 semester hours).
Continuous Enrollment Requirement/Time Limitation
Please refer to the doctoral degree requirements in the General Degree Requirements section of the Bulletin.
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