William Carey International University
The Doctoral Learning Contract
To aid in planning the road ahead, and to help keep both
committee and Associate aware of the next steps in the program, WCIU
has adopted the use of a Doctoral Learning Contract (DLC). The DLC
specifies the Associate’s individualized study program. It is designed by
the Associate’s doctoral committee under the leadership of the Major
Advisor, in consultation with the Associate. It then goes to the Director
of PhD Programs, who will get the necessary approvals or suggestions
for revision from WCIU. In case of later substantial changes in the DLC,
a similar procedure is followed.
The DLC should detail all steps leading up to the writing of the
dissertation, which is the capstone of the doctoral learning experience.
Special instructions are available on the writing of the dissertation; the
development of the research proposal is covered in the Research
Methodologies course.
Before a dissertation can be accepted by the University, there must be
an oral defense of the dissertation, which requires, in addition to all of
the committee members, a representative of the University, as well as
possible invitees from the academic community. While it is too early to
set a time and place for this event (and therefore it is not part of the
contract), the Associate should keep this in mind, because of the problem
of travel and coordinating schedules. Teleconferencing is a possibility to
facilitate the oral defense.
The Doctoral Learning Contract should be completed within six
months of the Associate’s admission date. It is best if, early in that
period, a tentative DLC is forwarded by the Associate and his/her Major
Advisor to WCIU for comments. This allows time for clarification and
any needed revisions.
The DLC model provided is arranged in sections described below.
You can write right on the form (adding extra pages as needed, or you
can create your own document, but these subject areas must be covered.
Section 1. A Summary of Major Focus, outlining the major areas to
be covered in the Doctoral Qualifying Examination (toward the end of
the study program) and the research focus of the Doctoral Dissertation,
as far as is known at this time. The individualized study program should
be designed keeping in mind these topics and the Associate’s
specialization within the broad parameters of International Development.
Section 2. Background Information should list learning outcomes,
educational resources, and basic strategies for the doctoral program being
proposed.
Section 3. Graduate Program Basic Requirements are designed to
ensure that the Associate has the prerequisite knowledge to begin
advanced studies toward the doctorate.
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Section 4. Doctoral courses focus on studies in the Specialization and
supporting disciplines. These courses can be taken at any educational
institution, or they can be especially designed by the Associate’s own
Committee as individualized study courses from WCIU. Normally, such
courses are supervised by one or another of the Committee members. No
one person can be responsible for supervising more than 18 units of the
Associate’s program. Whether a course is developed on an individualized
basis or is one offered at an educational institution, a course proposal
form should be completed for each course. At least thirty units in the
program must be taken through WCIU.
Section 5. Under Other Requirements, indicate other types of learning
expected of the Associate, such as foreign languages, mentoring
experience, professional contacts, journals, etc. It is the expectation that,
during the course of the program, the Associate will become an active
participant in the academic community.
When the DLC is finalized and the doctoral committee is confirmed
(generally after 3-6 months), the first Evaluation Report is filed and the
corresponding fee paid by the Associate. The Associate is then changed
from post-baccalaureate to graduate Associate status in the doctoral
program.
The Associate may begin course work (limited to nine units) while the
DLC is being designed. It is possible, however, that some of those
studies might not be included in the final DLC.
If there are later changes in the focus of the study program or in the
composition of the doctoral committee, committee members might insist
that additional studies or learning experiences be included in a revised
DLC. Such revisions are normal and must be approved by the
Associate’s committee and WCIU.
Note that many of the individualized study courses at the doctoral
level are in the form of directed readings or field research. They are
designed to help Associates become thoroughly acquainted with the
scholarship in their field, as well as to prepare them for their more
narrowly focused dissertation research.
While many of the specific activities in the doctoral program will
become known only gradually as each step is taken and as the Associate
becomes acquainted with the field of study, designing the DLC at the
start provides an outline guide to follow. The Associate and all
committee members can see the entire program at a glance and can
monitor progress more readily.
Ideally, there should be no hidden requirements that appear without
warning late in the Associate’s program. Changes in anticipated time
schedules for courses, language study, exams, and the dissertation do not
require approval by WCIU, unless an extension of time beyond the ten
year maximum is required. Changes in courses or other significant
modifications of requirements do require approval.
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Doctoral Learning Contract
________________________
Student/Associate
____________________________
Major Advisor/Committee Chair
Committee Chair: Please complete this form, in consultation with your Associate and
with the other committee members. You may want to send a draft and /or consult
with the Program Director as you do so.
Section 1. Summary of Major Focus
Determine first what will be the major focus of the Associate’s doctoral work (to be
detailed in the Major Research Proposal presented after the DQE). This will be most
evident in two key aspects of a doctoral program.
1. Doctoral Dissertation Topic. Indicate the focus of the proposed dissertation,
including the general topic and, if relevant, the regional or cultural area or specific
people group to be studied. Also indicate the specific topics of research, if known at
this time.
2. Doctoral Qualifying Examination (DQE). List 3-6 major areas to be covered by
the DQE, which is taken after most or all course work is finished and before
dissertation research begins. The DQE consists of a written examination, typically
taken over more than one day, possibly followed by an oral examination.
Dissertation Topic and Research Focus:
DQE Areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Section 2. Foundational Questions
A. Learning Objectives (Outcomes). List the outcomes expected for the Associate
upon completion of the doctoral program. See the catalog section on the Program and
Educational Objectives at the start of the Ph.D. section for suggestions of general
outcomes. Modify and add to these for the specific outcomes for this Associate’s
program. Note that the State requires that the learning outcomes specify what
Associates are expected to be able to do (analyze, demonstrate), rather than listing
more general goals.
Upon completion of this doctoral program, the Associate will be able to:
B. Inventory of Education Resources. List specific library, archival, field,
language, and other information resources to which the Associate will need access
at different stages during the study program that relate directly to the focus
indicated above.
C. Strategies. Briefly indicate the strategies for employing the educational
resources to fulfill the learning objectives. The following sections will provide
details on the strategies, so only a general overview is needed here.
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Section 3. Graduate Program Prerequisites:
Preparatory Studies in International Development. WCIU requires the following
courses or their equivalent to be in the curriculum of each Associate at the beginning
of studies. Indicate how these prerequisites have been or will be met.
Cultural Anthropology 3 units
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
3 units
Foundations of the World Christian Movement (A Larger Perspective) 3 units
In your judgment, are other preparatory studies needed? List formal courses or noncredit studies to be completed to compensate for any deficiencies noted in your
academic assessment.
Section 4. Doctoral Courses
At least 45 semester units of graduate studies beyond the master’s level are required for
the doctorate, in addition to the writing of the dissertation. Fifteen (15) units are
required subjects (listed below) to be completed by all Associates, unless equivalent
studies were taken previously. Eighteen (18) or more units are to be studies
individualized to prepare the Associate in his area of specialization. Up to twelve units
may be earned in dissertation research after passing the Doctoral Qualifying
Examination. The committee must guide the Associate to those courses or study
programs that will best qualify the Associate to do the research and write the proposed
dissertation.
These may be taken for WCIU credit at a distance, as regular university classes, if
suitable courses can be found locally, or by directed readings and research. Indicate
how these requirements have been or will be met:
Research Methodology 4 units
History and Trends in International Development 4 units
Introduction to Statistics 2 units
Basics of Mentoring 2+2 units
In addition to a prepared study on how to mentor, his course includes the requirement
for your Associate to spend 60 hours mentoring at least one junior (second-level)
associate, to be documented in a contemporaneous journal, for which he/she will
receive an additional 2 units of credit. Indicate any mentoring activity already
accomplished, as well as that to be done as part of this study program. Our preference
is that the mentoring be of WCIU’s Global Civilization Masters program, which is
available for study at a distance, and leads to an MA degree.
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Courses in the Area of Specialization
You will need to design other courses in the specialization focused on the research
topic, totaling not less than 18 units. These can be taught by members of the
Committee and often consist of directed readings on a subject, plus a written paper.
Course outlines and syllabi for the required courses (above) are available from WCIU.
Forms are also available on which you can describe other courses which you propose to
develop for individualized study to meet the specific needs of your Associate, or for a
course you know is available at another institution and that exactly fits the needs of
your Associate. Be sure to include studies in the history and major streams of thought
of the subject area.
Most courses are 3 units each, with a possible range of 1-4 units.
Please indicate carefully course titles. The courses available through WCIU already
have complete course syllabi on file. When the Associate is ready to take a course, a
detailed Course Outline will be required (unless the course is taken at another
institution). The Registrar will help determine the Course Number at that time.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Etc.
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Section 5. Other Requirements
Language Acquisition Plans. Adequate proficiency in at least one academic or field
language other than the Associate’s own is required. If the Associate’s own language
is not English, then English proficiency must be demonstrated, since that is the most
useful language for research. Proficiency may be demonstrated by standardized tests,
assessment by a qualified person, or other appropriate means. For each language
required, indicate plans to meet this requirement.
Language
Written and/or Oral level expected
How proficiency will be demonstrated
Other Learning Experiences. Indicate other learning experiences expected during
the study program.
a. Cross-Cultural Experience (past or future):
Place
People/Culture
Approximate Dates
Type of learning achieved or expected
b. Attendance at professional conferences
Associations/Memberships
Events
Type of learning expected
c. Technical journals to be regularly reviewed
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Clarification, Comments, Additions, if any
I approve this Doctoral Learning Contract:
Printed Name
Signature
Date
Associate
Major Advisor
Committee Member
Committee Member
Field Dean
Director of Doctoral Program
Chief Academic Officer
Registrar
When completed, a copy with all the signatures will be distributed back to the
Associate, Major Advisor and Committee Members.
William Carey International University
Registrar’s Office
1539 East Howard Street, Pasadena CA 91104-2698, USA
Ph: 626-398-2141 fax: 626-625-3234
<registrar@wciu.edu>
Revised 2007
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