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Doctoral Completion Pathway for All-But-Dissertation Students
The Doctoral Completion Pathway (DCP) is designed for All-But-Dissertation (ABD) students from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), and students from colleges and universities other than Nova Southeastern University. The DCP is a highly structured pathway through which students who are ABD are afforded an opportunity to complete the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) via a well-defined plan of action that is delivered entirely online.
The DCP focuses on those students previously enrolled at NSU who are ABD, and students from other colleges and universities who completed a substantial portion of their coursework, all of whom left their respective programs in good academic and financial standing, with the prospect of completing an Ed.D. within a two-year maximum time frame. Students interested in the DCP will first need to complete an entrance survey and a transcript evaluation. Students admitted from other colleges and universities will be required to complete a minimum of 27 credits in the current Doctor of Education program. Upon entry to the DCP, students may choose between two capstone options, an Applied Dissertation or the Strategic Research Project (SRP), to satisfy degree requirements.
General Eligibility Criteria
- Be a Doctor of Education student or in a closely related degree field. Concentrations
include:
- Curriculum and Teaching
- Educational Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership
- Human Services Administration
- Instructional, Technology, and Distance Education
- Organizational Leadership
- Reading
- Special Education
- Initial term of enrollment, no more than fourteen (14) years prior to the date of application to the DCP.
- Courses completed:
- NSU Students - All required courses for degree completed with an earned minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a four (4) point scale (3.0/4.0).
- Non-NSU Students - A substantial portion of required courses for degree completed with an earned minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a four (4) point scale (3.0/4.0).
- Timed out of program/dismissed for time (i.e., not dismissed for academic/other reasons).
- Not currently enrolled.
- Good academic and financial standing with NSU or prior institution.
How To Apply – NSU Students
If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to be evaluated for admission to the DCP, follow these easy steps.
- Complete the DCP Entrance Survey
How To Apply – Non-NSU Students
- Complete the DCP-ABD Prequalification Survey
- Email the following to fcedcp@nova.edu
- Unofficial Transcript
- Curriculum Vita
Note: all three items must be received before the applicant can be reviewed (prequalification survey, unofficial transcript, CV).
Next Steps
After submitting the survey, prospective students will receive an email, letting them know their qualification status, and if pre-qualified, will also receive information to help them make an informed decision on the pathway (Dissertation or SRP) that best meets their needs.
Pre-qualified prospects then send their official doctoral transcript and their choice of pathway to our doctoral adviser, who will complete an Academic Review, which includes the courses/benchmarks that need to be taken, the anticipated timeline for completion, and program costs.
At the completion of the Academic Review, qualified prospects receive an invitation to apply to the program and submit the doctoral application with the $50 non-refundable application fee.
The admissions team then works with the new applicant to ensure all official college transcripts are received, upon which the applicant receives an admission status, and the doctoral adviser will process the registration.
Additional Information
Questions regarding the DCP-ABD can be directed to fcedcp@nova.edu.
Does not apply to students admitted after Summer 2022.
Each student will be part of a virtual cohort. This cohort will be considered the student's DCP home base. Cohorts utilize NSU's online-learning platform, Canvas. Within the DCP home base, students will have direct access to their faculty mentor and cohort colleagues. Within the DCP virtual cohort, students will have access to relevant support information and documents such as dissertation templates, IRB materials, and research-related lectures. Students are encouraged to network with other students in the cohort. Faculty mentors offer live sessions to the entire group as well as one-on-one consultation. This also includes the initial meeting between the faculty mentor and student to establish a learning agreement.
Curriculum (Summer 2022 and prior)
Course Number
Credits
Curriculum (Fall 2022 and moving forward)
Course Number
Credits
Dissertation Capstone Winter 2025 and Later*
Course Number
Credits
SRP Capstone Winter 2024 and Later*
Course Number
Credits
Dissertation Capstone Fall 2023 to Fall 2024*
Course Number
Credits
SRP Capstone Fall 2023*
Course Number
Credits
FCE&SCJ students who earned the doctoral degree typically investigated problems connected with the workplace; thus, the final products have been applied in nature. Other than that distinction, FCE&SCJ applied dissertations are similar to dissertations found at other universities. The general outline includes a typical 5-chapter format and includes Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Literature Review, Chapter 3: Methodology, Chapter 4: Results, and Chapter 5: Discussion.
The Strategic Research Project (SRP) is a comprehensive capstone designed to challenge and enhance students' organizational and research skills, culminating in outcomes that meet the rigorous standards expected of a doctoral-level project. Grounded in research, the SRP addresses a real-world problem or issue relevant to an organization the student has previously engaged with professionally. The final deliverable provides an actionable solution and strategy that can be immediately implemented within the organization. The SRP is comprised of nine different parts, guiding students through a structured process of research, analysis, and solution and strategy development with potential timelines for implementation. It consists of two sequential six-credit courses, designed as an intensive, action-oriented project to be completed over two consecutive semesters. SRP enrollment happens after successfully completing all other program and degree requirements.
FCE&SCJ students who earned the doctoral degree typically investigated problems connected with the workplace; thus, the final products have been applied in nature. Other than that distinction, FCE&SCJ applied dissertations are similar to dissertations found at other universities. The general outline includes a typical 5-chapter format and includes Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Literature Review, Chapter 3: Methodology, Chapter 4: Results, and Chapter 5: Discussion.
The Strategic Research Project (SRP) is a comprehensive capstone designed to challenge and enhance students' organizational and research skills, culminating in outcomes that meet the rigorous standards expected of a doctoral-level project. Grounded in research, the SRP addresses a real-world problem or issue relevant to an organization the student has previously engaged with professionally. The final deliverable provides an actionable solution and strategy that can be immediately implemented within the organization. The SRP is comprised of nine different parts, guiding students through a structured process of research, analysis, and solution and strategy development with potential timelines for implementation. It consists of two sequential six-credit courses, designed as an intensive, action-oriented project to be completed over two consecutive semesters. SRP enrollment happens after successfully completing all other program and degree requirements.
For complete information regarding the dissertation or the strategic research project, please visit the Dissertation Support Services page.
A maximum of 27 semester hours of graduate credit will be accepted to the DCP if:
- An official transcript containing the courses under consideration for transfer is received by the FCE&SCJ Office of Student Affairs.
- Credits will be reviewed for timeliness and relevance to the student’s field of study.
- The credits must be earned at a regionally accredited university.
- The credits do not apply to a prior degree.
- The grade earned for each course was a B or better. A grade of P (Pass) or other such grade are not accepted as equivalent to a B or better unless it can be officially verified as such.
- The credits were earned at a doctoral level.
Educator Certification / Licensure Requirements
The DCP-ABD does not lead to certification or licensure. The requirements for educator certification/licensure differ from state to state. Applicants should contact the specific state department of education for requirements and current information regarding teacher certification/licensure.
Transfer of Credit Information
A course description from the catalog of the institution and/or a course syllabus may be required for review. Final decisions are made by the Department Chair, and written confirmation of acceptance or denial will be conveyed by an academic adviser. Credits accepted for transfer by FCE&SCJ will not be factored into the student’s overall grade point average. Credits accepted for transfer will be applied solely to meet program/degree requirements.
Graduate Catalog and Handbook
The Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) Catalog and Student Handbook is the governing document for all program-related information and FCE&SCJ policies/procedures. Students are bound by the NSU Student Handbook and should be familiar with its contents. If there is any conflict between the information contained on program websites and that contained in this document and/or its addenda, the information in this document and/or its addenda prevail."
Questions regarding the DCP-ABD can be directed to fcedcp@nova.edu.