Loyola University Chicago

Benefits

• Students in the Ph.D. in Research Methodology degree program develop expertise in a variety of research methodologies including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• The Ph.D. program prepares students for a variety of careers in business, industry and educational institutions. Recent graduates have found research positions in marketing firms, school districts and colleges, professional associations and accrediting agencies.

Degree Requirements

Total Hours: 60
Practicum: Required
Comprehensive: Research Portfolio
Dissertation: Required

Length of Program: Students typically take up to two or three courses each term and up to two courses during the summer. Completion time for the dissertation depends on the topic selected and the diligence of the student. Time for degree completion, including the dissertation, is six years. (See GA&S Policy: Time Limit for Completion of Degree Requirements)

Curriculum Plan: Completion of the Ph.D. degree program requires 60 semester hours of graduate credit, the completion of a research portfolio, and a dissertation. In addition, all students will participate in a one-semester consulting experience or in an external placement in the field. Students are expected to participate in conducting a research study and to provide consulting assistance. Up to 30 semester hours may be accepted for previously completed work.

Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.

Continuous Enrollments
Doctoral students in Research Methodology are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. (See GA&S Policy: Academic Standing – Continuous Registration) This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must do one of the following:

• Enroll in one of the following:
  • At least one course
  • RMTD 610 - Doctoral Studies (maximum enrollment two semesters)
  • RMTD 600 - Dissertation Supervision
• A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the Graduate School’s Associate Dean.

Required Courses (24 semester hours)

• RMTD 420 Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence Using Qualitative Methods
• RMTD 421 Educational Research II: Building a Body of Evidence Using Quantitative Methods
• RMTD 403 Design of Survey Research
• RMTD 405 Qualitative Research Methods
• RMTD 406 Evaluation Research
• RMTD 481 Advanced Educational Statistics
• RMTD 482 Introduction to Linear Models
• RMTD 483 Multivariate Statistics

Minor Research Area (6 semester hours)
Courses must be taken in a substantive area of interest, with approval from the student's advisor.

Electives (30 semester hours)
Students can choose from offerings within or outside of the program with the approval of the advisor.

Comprehensive 
A Comprehensive Research Portfolio is required.

Comprehensive Research Portfolio Directions: Word / PDF

Comprehensive examination application deadlines:

• Fall Exam - August 1
• Spring Exam - December 1

Dissertation

• Dissertation - Ph.D. Dissertation Forms
• Oral defense of the dissertation 

Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:

• August 1 for December conferral
• December 1 for May or August conferral