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PAIU PhD
Program

PAIU PhD programs are based on flexible and self-studying structure to accommodate each student’s business and personal responsibilities and take 1-3 years to complete.

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PAIU

Program Overview

PAIU PhD programs are based on a flexible and self-studying structure to accommodate each student’s business and personal responsibilities and take 1-3 years to complete. As students progress through the program, the first step is to submit a research proposal. The dissertation is an essential aspect of the PhD program, and every candidate must prepare and submit a dissertation which is a formal written document that represents sustained research or the investigation in an important intellectual issue. The dissertation must be an independent effort, which contributes to the field in which it is written. All dissertations must meet rigorous academic standards and be professionally prepared in a format suitable for reproduction and written in English. Students will be cooperating with an academic mentor who will supervise, provide guidance, and help with the entire process.

Required

Courses

Advanced Research Methods I (15 credits)

Advanced Research Methods II (15 credits)

The purpose of these courses is to prepare students for the dissertation process by highlighting the basics of academic writing, referencing, preventing plagiarism, and methodology of preparing research proposals.

PhD Proposal (30 credits)

This course will focus on students completing a research concept paper and preparing students for their dissertation.

Dissertation I (30 credits)

This course is the first step for doctoral candidates in the process of developing and completing their research study and dissertation. Doctoral candidates will complete Chapter 1, Introduction, and develop a detailed outline of Chapter 2. Literature Review.

Dissertation II (30 credits)

This course is the second step for doctoral candidates in the process of developing and completing their research study and dissertation. Doctoral candidates will complete Chapter 2, Literature Review and Chapter 3, Methodology and combine them with Chapter 1 to form their research proposal. Candidates will also conduct their research proposal defense and submit their research to the IRB for review.

Dissertation III (30 credits)

This course is the final step in for doctoral candidates in the process of developing and completing their research study and dissertation. Doctoral candidates will conduct their field study and complete Chapter 4, Data Analysis and Results as well as Chapter 5, Conclusions. Finally, doctoral candidates will combine all chapters to form their dissertation manuscript in preparation for their dissertation Defense.

Dissertation IV (30 credits)

This course is the final step in the program. Doctoral candidates will defend their dissertation and finalize their manuscript for publication

Instructor Availability and Response Time

Interaction with the course instructor will take place online, by e-mail or via Skype. If at any time you have specific questions, or something of a personal or sensitive nature, send emails directly to the instructor via personal email, and the instructor will respond within 48 hours. Please be mindful that some instructors are in different time zones.

Attendance Policy 

Failure to participate during the first week of the course will result in automatic withdrawal. Participation consists of assignments, quizzes and exams.  

Grading System

*Incomplete and Incomplete/Failure: Any student requesting an “I” grade must complete a Student Petition and Contract for a Grade of Incomplete and submit it to the Chief Academic Officer prior to the final day of the term/semester. The petition will specify a deadline by which the coursework must be completed. The incomplete automatically becomes an “IF” if work has not been completed and a grade has not been submitted by the specific deadline.

Properly Acknowledging Sources Used

If you use information from an existing source (print or online), it must be cited according to the guidelines established in the APA Manual, 6th Edition. Deliberate use of information or material from outside sources without the use of proper citations is considered plagiarism and can be grounds for disciplinary action. See the explanation of academic integrity below. 

Academic Integrity
Paris American International University emphasizes the ethical responsibility of all its members to seek knowledge in an honest manner. Students are responsible for doing their own work, and academic dishonesty of any kind simply will not be tolerated. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or misrepresentation of information in oral or written form. Such violations will be dealt with in accordance with university guidelines by the instructor as well as the dean. Plagiarism means utilizing someone else’s idea or writing as if it were your own. If you use someone else’s idea or writing, be sure the source is clearly documented according to the APA Manual 6th Edition.

APA Formatting and Academic Writing Resources
Reference List: Author/Authors https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_author_authors.html

In-Text Citations: The Basics https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html

APA Quick Citation Guide https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchguides/citationstyles/APA_citation.html
https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/apaquickguidesixth/overview

How to cite a website without an author http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/web-page-no-author.aspx

How to Create a Reference for a YouTube Video http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/10/how-to-create-a-reference-for-a-youtube-video.html

In-Text Citations, the Basics: Purdue Online Writing Lab
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html

In-Text Citations: Author/Authors, Purdue Online Writing Lab
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_author_authors.html

To create citations for the reference list: Use an online reference citation generator called Citation Machine: www.citationmachine.net

Grammar Basics, Purdue Online Writing Lab
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/index.html

Academic Writing, Purdue Online Writing Lab
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/index.html