This doctorate is designed for senior mental health services leaders — psychiatric nursing directors, behavioral health program administrators, and clinical operations managers — who want to apply advanced research to improving mental health care delivery rather than pursue an academic research career. Coursework focuses on behavioral health service leadership, crisis-care system design, and evidence-based psychiatric care standards.
Instead of a research-only dissertation, the program culminates in an applied capstone project built around your own behavioral health service: you'll use doctoral research methods to diagnose a care-access or program-design challenge and deliver a reform plan ready for real implementation. Graduates go on to serve as psychiatric nursing directors, behavioral health program administrators, or clinical operations executives.
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Thesis Courses
3 Courses
PHD 910Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Introduces the core research methods used in doctoral-level study.
- Quantitative data analysis basics
- Qualitative research design
- Choosing the right research approach
PHD 911Preparing a Thesis
Structuring and drafting the components of a doctoral thesis before formal proposal.
- Organizing a thesis into coherent, defensible chapters
- Framing a research problem and articulating its significance
- Developing a working thesis statement and chapter outline
PHD 912Econometrics
Applying econometric modeling techniques to analyze relationships within research data.
- Building and interpreting regression-based models
- Testing assumptions and diagnosing model specification issues
- Applying econometric findings to real-world policy and practice questions
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Research Courses
5 Courses
ST 913Preparatory Thesis I
Framing the initial research proposal and identifying a viable dissertation topic.
- Narrowing a broad interest into a researchable problem statement
- Drafting preliminary research questions and objectives
- Presenting an initial proposal for committee feedback
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
Planning the practical logistics of collecting and managing dissertation data.
- Developing data collection protocols and timelines
- Coordinating access to research sites, records, or participants
- Preparing data management and analysis workflows
ST 917Preparatory Thesis V
Preparing collected data and findings for formal committee review.
- Data analysis preparation
- Summarizing preliminary findings
- Preparing for committee defense
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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