Doctoral Completion Program

Doctoral programs are very demanding. Doctorate programs, unlike master's degree programs, are highly self-directed and demand the greatest level of academic research and writing. This can be daunting for students juggling career and personal obligations while pursuing a doctoral degree.

You are not alone if you began a doctoral degree but did not complete it. Nearly half of all people who begin doctoral programs never complete them.

There are a variety of reasons why doctoral students discontinue their studies. You might have taken a break for personal, financial, or professional reasons. Perhaps the doctoral program you previously attended was not the best fit for you. Whatever brought you to a halt in your doctoral studies, you may still be able to finish the degree you started.

The Doctoral Completion Program is for students who have earned some doctoral credit but did not meet the graduation criteria.

A Doctoral Completion Program is not the same as a specific doctorate program. In reality, it is a transfer-friendly program with dedicated support for transfer students are known as doctoral completion programs.

The program is tailored to the needs of students who are resuming their doctoral studies in order to complete their degree faster. Many colleges will not accept transfer credit at the doctoral level, therefore these programs are special.

What are the requirements?

With Dissertation (PhD) Research & Terminal Doctorates.

1. Dissertation - submit a copy of your research dissertation upon graduation.

2. Academic Transcript of Records - All research courses you completed in your previous learning institution will fulfill this requirement. In case of course deficiency, the PhD candidate will be advice to take research courses to complete the 12 credit hours requirement.

3. Residency requirement - The PhD candidate must take residency for a minimum of two semesters at Althash University to fulfill the PhD Conversion Program. The student is required enroll in 3 credit hours in Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799A in 2 semesters period.

4. Dissertation defense (Doctoral Dissertation PhD 799A) - Presentation of your existing dissertation to the graduate committee. The candidate can invite a maximum of 4 dissertation panel members out from the existing graduate committee during the defense.

Without Dissertation (EdD, DBA, DM, DSW et al.) Applied & Professional Doctorates.

1. Doctoral Applied Dissertation 799A - You will need to enroll a minimum of 9 credit hours for your dissertation writing.

2. Academic Transcript of Records - All research courses you completed in your previous learning institution will fulfill this requirement. In case of course deficiency, the candidate will be advice to take research courses to complete the 12 credit hours requirement.

3. Residency requirement - The candidate must take residency for a minimum of two semesters at Althash University to fulfill the Doctoral Completion Program. The student is required enroll in 3 credit hours in Doctoral Applied Dissertation 799A in the last semester period for the dissertation defense.

4. Applied Dissertation Defense- Presentation of your dissertation to the graduate committee. The candidate can invite a maximum of 4 dissertation panel members out from the existing graduate committee during the defense.

5. Candidacy examination is fulfilled when the student completed the 12 credit hours of research course, see #2 requirement, requirement.

When should I apply for Doctoral Completion Program?

​​​​​​We encourage you to submit a portfolio early in your academic program, before taking courses that may duplicate your PhD Conversion Program.

Credentials are evaluated continuously throughout the year, but expect a turnaround time of 8 to 10 weeks for processing your documents, from the time it is received at Alt-U’s committee until you receive your program acceptance notification letter form the graduate school.

While credentials can be submitted at any time, consider the following dates as guidelines for receiving Prior Learning credits in time for graduation:​

-May 1 for August graduation

-September 1 for December graduation

-February 1 for May graduation​

How much will it cost to avail the Doctoral Completion Program?

​​​​After you receive your PhD Conversion Program acceptance notification letter form the graduate school, you need to meet with your academic advisor. Your advisor will determine whether and how the previously awarded credits may be used in the conversion process.

• You may complete and submit a portfolio at any time (after becoming an Alt-U student and meeting with your advisor).

• You will only pay for the course you are required to take in the PhD Conversion Program.

The cost to enroll for Doctoral Applied Dissertation PhD 799A is 833.50 USD per credit hour. (New rates effective January 1, 2022.)