5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 quarters until completion

In this capstone course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate their knowledge into an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students complete an applied practice-based project independently, with the guidance of a capstone supervisory committee chair and committee members, in a learning platform classroom in which weekly participation is required. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and carry out and analyze a research protocol and project.

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until the completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.