Your AIU Distance Learning program will be a custom-made program, designed just for you by you and your advisor. This flexibility to meet your needs is seldom found in other distance learning programs.

Our program does not require every student to study the same subjects and use the same books and other learning materials as every other student. Instead our online Doctoral programs are designed just for you. They are individually designed to meet your needs and help you to reach your professional and personal goals. If you want much more than normal results from your efforts, AIU's Doctoral programs are what you are looking for. The Doctor of Philosophy program is offered for various disciplines and prepares students for advanced work in research, teaching, and administration. Studies leading to the Ph.D. degree are designed to give the candidate thorough and comprehensive knowledge of his or her professional field, as well as training in research methods. The criteria for granting the degree shall be the candidate's comprehension of the subject matter and a demonstrated ability to perform independent research. In addition, the candidate must have the ability to express thoughts clearly, both verbally and in written form. The PhD program aims to develop an understanding of your field beyond the Master's degree, with emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production of significant research findings, and the contribution of such findings to public knowledge.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM
The Ph.D. Degree Program at AIU is a custom-tailored suit of educational clothing. AIU has developed a protocol to Quantify and Qualify an individual's professional background, as well as, their academic credentials, and grant Academic Credit to qualified students commensurate with their true level of knowledge. After initial review and evaluation, the Student's Academic Status is defined. This definition establishes the approximate number of Academic Credit Hours the University will grant the Student toward the Student's designated Degree Program.

Development of course and curricula is a collaborative activity, between the Student and the Academic Advisor. Each Student's Curricula is unique, and developed as a result of the mutual efforts of the Student, the Academic Staff and the Academic Advisor. To fulfill the requirements of the Degree Program as established by the Academic Committee, the Student performs research, (using the Internet or other Approved Resources), to investigate and select courses from at least 2, AIU Approved colleges or universities, offering the same discipline at the Doctoral level, as the Student's designated Degree Program. The Student will select courses based upon the Student's need to acquire the knowledge and master the objectives defined, in the course descriptions and objectives, as itemized in the Course Catalogs of such Approved Institutions. The Student will be the initial arbiter of the courses selected. The culmination of the course selection process is the class session with the Academic Advisor. During this class, the Student's Courses and Curricula will be established, and approved.

Ph.D. Programs are available in many disciplines, and demonstrate the Student's ability to perform advanced work in the selected field of study. The highlight of the Program is the Doctorial Dissertation, an original work of scholarship, which showcases the Candidate's mastery of the selected discipline, produces significant insights and findings based on original thought and research, and contributes to the advancement of thought and knowledge on a universal scale. Studies leading to the Ph.D. degree are designed to give the candidate thorough and comprehensive knowledge of his or her professional field, as well as training in research methods. The criteria for granting the degree shall be the candidate's comprehension of the subject matter and a demonstrated ability to perform independent research. In addition, the candidate must have the ability to express thoughts clearly, both verbally and in written form (Course and Curriculum).

POPULAR FIELDS FOR DOCTORAL STUDY

Business (PhD, DBA)
The PhD in business focuses intensively on preparing candidates to direct highly specialized scholarly research while the Doctor of Business degree focuses on the application of theory rather than on the development of new theory. Despite the differences sited above, both degrees are considered academically equivalent. Graduates will be qualified to develop knowledge in the business disciplines and for the practical application of theory in the business world (areas of study).

Education (PhD, EdD)
The PhD in Education degree will prepare students for teaching positionas or administrative careers whereas the EdD typically prepares primary and secondary school administrators or teachers in academic departments of education. Both degrees are considered academically equivalent (areas of study).

Engineering (PhD, DS, DEng)
The Doctorate in Engineering degree is best suited for leading research engineers who seek administrative or executive positions within the engineering industry. Common areas of specialization include: electrical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, telecommunications, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering (areas of study).

Psychology (PhD, PsyD)
Both the Ph.D. in Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) can be pursued through online study with AIU. The PhD in Psychology is sometimes considered a research degree while the PsyD is considered a counseling degree however these differences are not universal, both degrees are considered academically equivalent. Specializations such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology, or organizational psychology are possible by adjusting the student curriculum (areas of study).

MAJORS

Doctorate

Doctor of Arts

Doctor of Business Administration

Doctor of Science

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following are requirements for admission to the AIU PhD Program (additional requirements are specific to your major or filed of study):

Admissions Application form available online. (click here)
A brief curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, work, publication, and other professional activities.
A master's degree from a recognized program, or the equivalent.

Additionally, applicants may be required to submit one or more of the following to determine their eligibility.

Sufficient references from persons in the professional and academic communities. The Committee on Doctoral Studies may, on occasion, require additional references.
At least one example of scholarly research or professional writing in any format (print or electronic). The student should describe fully any published or unpublished research, thesis, contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment of his or her capacity to pursue doctoral study successfully.

Note: Students who have been granted Advanced Placement Candidate status (APC) may be allowed modification of the above protocol.