This doctorate is designed for senior analytics and technology leaders — directors of analytics, VPs of data, and chief data officers — who want to apply doctoral-level inquiry to real enterprise data challenges rather than pursue a research-only academic path. Coursework focuses on data strategy, analytics governance, and digital transformation leadership at the executive level.
Instead of a traditional research dissertation, the program culminates in an applied capstone project built around your own organization: you will apply doctoral research methods to diagnose a live data or analytics challenge and deliver a transformation plan ready for real implementation. Graduates move into roles such as chief data officer, VP of analytics, or senior data strategy consultant.
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Thesis Courses
3 Courses
PHD 910Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Foundational grounding in the mixed-methods toolkit doctoral researchers use to design and defend rigorous studies.
- Comparing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods traditions
- Building valid and reliable measurement instruments
- Aligning research questions with appropriate design choices
PHD 911Preparing a Thesis
Structured guidance on planning, organizing, and drafting a doctoral thesis from proposal to completed manuscript.
- Framing a researchable problem statement and objectives
- Structuring chapters and building a coherent argument
- Working effectively with a supervisory committee
PHD 912Econometrics
Applied econometric techniques for modeling relationships in business and economic data.
- Specifying and estimating regression-based models
- Diagnosing and correcting common estimation problems
- Interpreting coefficients and testing hypotheses
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Research Courses
5 Courses
ST 913Preparatory Thesis I
First stage of guided thesis preparation, focused on identifying a viable research topic and reviewing prior literature.
- Scoping a topic with genuine research potential
- Conducting a systematic literature review
- Identifying gaps to justify the proposed study
ST 914Preparatory Thesis II
Second stage of thesis preparation, developing the conceptual framework and research design.
- Constructing a conceptual or theoretical framework
- Selecting an appropriate research design
- Justifying sampling and data-collection strategy
ST 915Preparatory Thesis III
Third stage of thesis preparation, centered on instrument development and pilot testing.
- Developing and refining data-collection instruments
- Piloting instruments and revising based on results
- Addressing reliability, validity, and ethical review
ST 916Preparatory Thesis IV
Fourth stage of thesis preparation, guiding full-scale data collection and preliminary analysis.
- Executing the data-collection plan
- Cleaning and organizing data for analysis
- Running preliminary analyses and checking assumptions
ST 917Preparatory Thesis V
Final preparatory stage, completing analysis and assembling the thesis proposal for committee approval.
- Completing full data analysis and interpretation
- Drafting the finalized thesis proposal
- Defending the proposal before the committee
3
Dissertation Courses
1 Courses
T 918Dissertation
Independent, faculty-supervised research culminating in a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field.
- Conducting original research under committee supervision
- Writing and revising the complete dissertation manuscript
- Successfully completing the final oral defense
$84,000
Total Program Cost
Fees are billed per term and are subject to change. Financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment plans are available to students who qualify.
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Admission requires Master's Degree.
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Submit Your Application
Complete the online application with your basic and academic details.
An admissions advisor reviews your application and any transfer credit.
Receive your decision, complete enrollment, and start your first term.
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