International Development PhD

Overview

The purpose of the doctoral degree in International Development is to examine the related fields of International Development from an interdisciplinary perspective while providing our students with advanced research, analytical and writing skills in order to enable our graduates to continue to make enduring contributions, as professionals and academics, to the global community.   

Campus: Gulf Coast

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements found in Academic Requirements and Procedures , applicants to the Doctoral program must provide the following:

1. Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Research Statement of 1000-1500 words explaining your research interests and how they relate to one of the emphasis areas
3. Research paper, professional writing sample or published academic research
4. Three Letters of Recommendation

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

The International Development Doctoral Program is a 54-credit hour program. The 54 hours are divided into 42 hours of coursework and 12 dissertation hours.

Students are required to take 4 core courses (12 hours), 4 courses (12 hours) of major electives, 3 courses (9 hours) of minor electives, 3 courses (9 hours) of general electives, and a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation. Note that within each elective area, two classes are required and the student may then select from the remaining classes in the elective to fulfill the rest of the requirement. Minor elective is to be selected from the remaining major areas of study.

Upon the successful completion the 42 hours of required coursework, the student will sit for the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination consists of questions pertaining to the major and minor elective area and has both a written and an oral component. Students are granted two attempts to pass the comprehensive examinations. Failure to complete the comprehensive examination, successfully, on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program and the university. 

After successful completion of the comprehensive exam, students will then form their dissertation committee and begin the dissertation phase. Students are required to prepare, with the direction of their committee chair, and defend their dissertation proposal. Once the dissertation proposal is approved, students will work to complete their dissertation. A successful oral defense of the completed dissertation is required. Students are to enroll in dissertation hours (12 hours minimum) during their dissertation phase. 

Research Tools required to complete degree are as follows:

1. Submission of a publishable peer-reviewed article or book chapter
2. Presentation of an academic paper at an approved academic conference

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information , for other requirements and expectations.

Course Requirements (54 hours)