Doctoral Journey: Steps To Getting a Doctorate Degree

Choose Your Program

Dr. Augustine O.

DBA Graduate

"From the initial orientation class to the final dissertation defense, Franklin's faculty and staff were consistently ready to provide support. The availability of resources like the library commons, writing, and technology workshops made the return to school more accessible, especially for individuals who had been away from academic settings for decades. With the guidance of a dedicated and supportive dissertation committee, I carried out innovative management and finance research."

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Instructional Design Leadership Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership

How do you choose a doctorate?

Since the process of earning a doctorate can be life changing - it’s important to evaluate how well a program fits your life (online, hybrid or on campus) and aligns with your ultimate personal or professional goal (learning outcomes). Other important factors in choosing the right doctoral program for you include the ability to transfer in previously earned credit and the availability of faculty and other support.

How long does it take to earn a doctorate?

Franklin’s applied doctorate programs in business (DBA), healthcare (DHA) and education (Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Ed.D. in Instructional Design Leadership) can be completed online in as few as three years (two years of coursework and one year for your dissertation). However, how long it takes to earn a doctorate depends on a number of factors including your program of choice and how much time you are willing to dedicate toward your studies.

What’s the difference between a Ph.D. and an applied doctorate?

A Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy degree is theory-based and focuses on successfully adding to the existing research within a discipline. An applied doctorate or professional doctorate requires mastery within a subject area and application of knowledge to solve real-world challenges. To fully appreciate the difference between a Ph.D. and an applied doctorate, it’s helpful to understand which is better aligned to your career path.

How much will my degree cost?

Franklin University offers a quality education at a competitive cost so you can afford to invest in your future. Our per credit hour tuition rates (vs. per year or per term rates) enable you to get a realistic estimate of exactly how much your degree will cost - especially once you've factored in transfer credit. Our tuition rate is $748 per credit hour. Ask our helpful staff about available financing options and financial aid programs.

Get Started

DBA Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply for this program, you must have:

A completed master’s degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization.
A minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework in a business-related field
Master’s degree cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who earned lower than a 3.0 GPA in their earned master’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a doctoral program.

DBA Program

DHA Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply for this program, you must have:

A completed master’s degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization.
A minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework in a healthcare-related field.
Master’s degree cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who earned lower than a 3.0 GPA in their earned master’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a doctoral program.

DHA Program

Ed.D. Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply for this program, you must have:

A completed master’s degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization.
Master’s degree cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who earned lower than a 3.0 GPA in their earned master’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a doctoral program.

Ed.D. in Instructional Design Leadership Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

On average, our online application can be completed in 20 minutes.
Once submitted, applications are processed within 48 hours.

How Much Will It Cost?

For domestic applicants, there is no fee to apply.

For international applicants, the following apply:

Master’s programs, there is a $30 application fee.
Doctoral programs, there is a $50 application fee.

How will I know It’s Complete?

A member of our Admissions team will contact you within 48 hours to provide you with a username, password, and link to our myTools applicant system so you can track the status of your application.

Notes & Tips

Admission requirements vary based on the program and start date you choose. Be sure to review program specific requirements as you evaluate your start date.

What are the admission requirements for a doctoral degree?

Admission requirements for a doctorate will vary by university and by program. However, in general applicants are required to have completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Franklin University requires a cumulative master’s-level GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, however the University will admit students with GPAs under 3.0 with conditional status if other requirements are met.

Can I complete my doctorate online?

Many schools offer online doctorates. Franklin’s doctorate programs (DBA, DHA and Ed.D. programs in Organizational Leadership and Instructional Design Leadership can be completed with 100% online coursework. In addition, all support services and resources are also available online. Learn what you can expect if you choose to complete a doctorate online.

How soon can I get started?

Franklin operates on a trimester calendar with three start dates for doctoral students within each term. Generally, there are three start dates in fall (August, September, October), three in the spring (January, February, March) and two in the summer (May and June).

Transfer Credit

What course requirements are most likely to be satisfied by transfer credit?

Elective course requirements are the most likely to be satisfied with previously earned doctoral or master’s level credit. Students are also occasionally able to transfer in major area courses, however, course outcomes must match 75% of the Franklin course to receive credit.

How is the decision to accept doctoral transfer credit made?

Our qualified transfer credit department, under guidance from our faculty and disciplinary experts, reviews course information. This team makes its decision based on course title, course description and course learning outcomes from the course(s) you have completed. On occasion, we will request a course syllabus, if one is available, so we may determine if the course you have completed adequately meets the preparation needs for successfully completing the dissertation.

Are there courses not eligible for doctoral transfer credit?

Yes. In addition to meeting Franklin’s 34-credit residency requirement, the number of doctoral credits that must be taken through Franklin, there are several courses/types of courses for which we cannot accept transfer credit. By requiring that the courses/course areas below are taken at Franklin, we can be certain that you meet curriculum outcomes, exhibit proficiency within our courses, and possess a mastery of research methods and study design. Each of these components is critical to successful research preparation and dissertation completion. These courses are:

Two introductory courses in writing and research
At least half of the major area courses
Intermediate and advanced elective research core courses
All the dissertation work

Complete Your Coursework

Working with your graduate academic advisor, you’ll create a personalized plan to complete your Research Core, Major Area, Elective and - if applicable - Focus Area courses. In addition to a program chair, each program has a designated faculty advisor who can answer questions and address concerns from your first term through candidacy.

The goal of doctoral coursework is to prepare you for your dissertation. In addition to diving deeper into your discipline, you’ll also:

Sharpen your critical thinking skills to analyze scholarly materials
Gain necessary skills to conduct your own research
Learn how to provide robust answers to questions that matter to you
Formulate a process for completing a large-scale project

How long does it take to complete doctoral coursework?

The length of time it takes to complete the coursework phase of a doctoral program varies by university and program. However, students enrolled in Franklin University’s applied programs (DBA, DHA and Ed.D.) can complete the coursework phase in as few as two years.

Are there required core courses for all doctoral students?

Yes. The Research Core courses are required for all students seeking the DHA, DBA and the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership or Instructional Design Leadership at Franklin. Research Core courses provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their dissertation including writing, research, statistics, and qualitative and quantitative methods.

Is there a minimum GPA to remain in good standing?

Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Take Your Comprehensive Exam

Intended to enable you to prove mastery within your discipline, comprehensive exams mark the end of coursework and are your last hurdle before you can begin work, in earnest, on your dissertation. To help with this transition, you’ll participate in a workshop held by your faculty advisor to prepare you for candidacy. The workshop includes information on the comprehensive exam, as well as tips on assembling your dissertation committee, which needs to be in place four weeks prior to your comprehensive exam.

Your dissertation committee plays an important role that begins after you pass the comprehensive exam and culminates with the dissertation defense. The three-member committee consists of a chair, who you’ll choose. A methodologist and a reviewer, from your discipline, will be assigned by the Office of Doctoral Studies.

A live exam-prep session is held with a doctoral program chair, who can answer your questions and set expectations for the exam. In addition, the Doctoral Student Association, a student-led, faculty-supported organization, also organizes a meeting each term between students who have passed their comprehensive exams and students who are about to take the exams. This provides moral support and further eases exam-related anxiety.

Once your exam questions are available to you, you will have one week to complete the written exam. Your dissertation committee will determine whether you have satisfactorily completed the exam. Upon passing your comprehensive exam, you are now an official doctoral candidate.

When do students typically take the comprehensive exam?

Since coursework is designed to prepare you for your comprehensive exam, students typically take the comprehensive exam shortly after finishing the coursework.

How many attempts are permitted for the comprehensive exam and what happens if I don’t pass?

Students who do not pass the comprehensive exam on their first attempt may retake it during the next exam period by re-registering for the three-week course (DISS 9000). Students who need to take the exam a third time must submit a written request to the dean of Doctoral Studies. If approved by the dean and the student’s doctoral program chair, the student can attempt the exam a final time. Students who fail the comprehensive examination two times, or fail the examination three times when a third attempt was granted through appeal, are dismissed from doctoral studies at Franklin University.

Complete your Dissertation

Scary? Challenging? Rewarding? Probably, yes and absolutely! Once students pass the comprehensive exam, a meeting is held to define expectations for the dissertation including what students can expect from their committee and student responsibilities - especially as it relates to timelines and planning. The meeting is recorded and sent to all participants to use as a reference.

At Franklin, doctoral students have the option of completing an applied research dissertation or a dissertation in practice. Throughout the dissertation process, you’ll work closely with your committee chair to create a plan for completion and deadlines. In addition to actually writing your dissertation, the dissertation process includes a literature review, a research proposal, proposal presentation, IRB approval, data collection and data analysis.

To fulfill the credit hour requirement for the doctorate, you’ll enroll in the dissertation course (DISS 9100) for 1-4 credit hours every term you plan to be enrolled.

No-Fear Dissertation Overview Faculty Support Writing Support Research Support Academic Support Administrative Support Doctoral Student Association

How do I choose a dissertation topic?

First and foremost, since you will be devoting a lot of time to this project, the topic should interest you. It also must align with your long-term professional goals and meet your program’s academic requirements. You should also conduct a literature review to see what is already known and where gaps exist. In brainstorming various options, consider how feasible it will be to get the necessary data or conduct appropriate research. Lastly, vet your research question or hypothesis with peers or faculty members to gain insights and feedback.

How do I select a dissertation committee?

The dissertation committee consists of a chair, a methodologist and a reviewer. At Franklin, you choose your chair and a methodologist and a reviewer is assigned to you. You’ll work closely with your chair, so finding one who brings the attributes you need to succeed is important. Consider faculty you’ve interacted with previously or get recommendations from other students or graduates of your program.

What is the typical timeline for completing a dissertation?

At Franklin, students can complete the dissertation in as little as one year. However, the time necessary to complete the dissertation varies from student to student. On average students complete the dissertation in 4-5 terms (16-20 months).

Defend Your Dissertation

Your dissertation defense is the last step in completing your doctorate. The purpose of the oral defense is to recognize your completed doctoral work and provide the opportunity for discussion and formal evaluation. During your defense, you’ll make a formal presentation of your research and findings and answer questions from your committee, as well as others in attendance.

At the conclusion of the questions, your committee will adjourn to formulate a collective opinion on the merits of your research and presentation. Once they have reached a decision, they will return with an announcement for all in attendance. The committee may approve your dissertation with or without edits. If edits are required, they will need to be and approved before completing the final steps toward publication.

If no edits are needed, a Defense + Manuscript Approval form will be generated and circulated for the necessary signatures from your committee, the program chair and the dean.

All dissertations are published on the Franklin University Scholarly Exchange (FUSE), as well as on the OhioLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertations Center.

What is the dissertation defense?

The oral defense of a dissertation is a formal presentation of your research and findings for the purpose of formal discussion and review.

Who attends the dissertation defense?

Attendees to an oral defense include your dissertation committee, faculty members, other doctoral students and various members of the university community. The defense can be attended by members of the general public as well as the candidates, family, friends and colleagues.

What happens if revisions are required after the defense?

If revisions are requested by your committee, they must be completed and reviewed by your committee before you can begin the final steps for publication.

How long after a successful defense until I officially receive my degree?

Franklin University confers degrees three times each year (January, May and September). Graduates can choose to attend Commencement ceremonies or receive their diplomas by mail.

Daniel

Doctor of Business Administration Student + Manager, Abbott Nutrition

“What drew me to Franklin’s program was the online coursework that enabled me to continue to work full time while progressing through the program. The flexibility allowed me to learn how I could improve my organization and implement changes in real time.”

Anh Thu

Doctor of Healthcare Administration Graduate + Project Director, Ohio Asian American Health Coalition

“I didn’t really have any hesitations. I knew right away that Franklin was the school for me. I knew that a doctorate in healthcare is what I wanted from the beginning to help make an impact on the community."

Angel

Doctor of Business Administration Graduate + VP/Chief Advancement Officer United Way of Greater Houston

“Earning my doctorate will help me hone my leadership skills and build my knowledge within my discipline, which is nonprofit management. I want to learn how to ask tough questions of myself, my leadership team and my staff to really make my organization an even stronger one than it is today.”

Tomika

Doctor of Healthcare Administration Student + Instructional Assistant with Columbus City Schools

“The positive part is the faculty. They’re amazing teachers. I’ve been at other universities prior to this, but the faculty members at Franklin are what keep me coming.”

Rachel

Ed.D. in Instructional Design Graduate

"I can't stop my life as a parent with a full-time job to pursue academics. Franklin bridges that gap for me. I still have all my responsibilities but I'm challenged in a good way. And I can see myself graduating in a couple of years with a doctorate."

Your Journey to an Applied Doctorate

Choose Your Program

Dr. Augustine O.

DBA Graduate

Choose Your Program Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started

Sara Burris

Associate Director, Graduate Admissions

Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions

Free Guide: How to Complete Your Doctoral Journey

Transfer Credit

Transferring Credit Frequently Asked Questions

Complete Your Coursework

Coursework Frequently Asked Questions

Take Your Comprehensive Exam

Kelli Garza

Coordinator, Doctoral Candidacy

Comprehensive Exam Frequently Asked Questions

Complete your Dissertation

Dr. Bora Pajo

Director, Dissertation Process

Completing Your Dissertation Frequently Asked Questions

Defend Your Dissertation

Dr. Wendell Seaborne

Dean, Doctoral Studies & Academic Research

Defending Your Dissertation Frequently Asked Questions

Here Is What Our Doctoral Students Are Saying

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