At Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students select and drive their own dissertation topic, relevant to their professional goals, and with the support of faculty and a dissertation committee. This learner-centered design, which abandons the tradition of supporting a faculty member’s research, allows students to develop diverse research skill sets spanning across a variety of research inquires including quantitative, qualitative, epidemiology, and survey mixed methods while forging their own path.
The Proposal Process
- Finding a Dissertation Committee – As students determine areas of interest and start developing research questions, they may access the Dissertation Committee Database. This database has over 100 content experts with a wide range of research backgrounds from across the entire country and world. Students simply enter topic certain search terms and are presented with potential committee members.
- Forming the Dissertation Committee – Students work with the PhD Program Director (PD) (Dr. Thomas Cappaert) and/or their Concentration Track Director (CTD) in securing potential members. Additionally, the PD or CTD often suggest specific members from their professional network to support the student’s dissertation journey. At least one RMUoHP representative serves on each student’s committee.
- Building the Proposal – After the student forms a committee and develops those key professional relationships, the proposal development begins. The Dissertation Committee Chair meets with the student on regular basis, serving as the student’s mentor and guide, while other committee members serve in supportive roles in the area of content expertise, research methods, and writing consults. As a team, the student shares authorship with committee members on publications and presentations resulting from the dissertation study.
Customize Opportunities
The University’s PhD program is designed to create choices for students that are supported throughout their dissertation journey. Students also have the choice to apply for graduate research assistantships through the Office of Research & Sponsored Projects, which require a 6-12 month residency on campus. As a graduate research assistant, students still drive their own research study and have opportunities to utilize equipment on campus for their dissertation.
Program Relevance
Alumni and current students consistently comment on the program’s powerful connection to their personal and professional goals:
- “One of the many reasons I came to RMUoHP was because of the flexibility with dissertation topics. I wanted to find a way to create my own independent path; being tied to someone else’s research is not that ideal way to do that.” – Dr. Brett Winsor (PhD Alumnus)
- “I knew what I wanted to study before applying to the program. I also knew that as a working parent with strong ties to our community and my employer, I was not able to move across the country—and in my case, it would have indeed been across the country—to complete a traditional PhD. So, while Rocky Mountain’s curriculum appealed to me in many ways, at the top of the list was that I could conduct any line of research that mattered to me—while continuing to work and live at my current location. Furthermore, geography did not prevent me from working with the experts in my field. In fact, the nation’s leading researcher in my area of interest currently serves in a very active role on my committee. The direction of the research is up to me—with a strong committee to support it—instead of the other way around.” – Emily Kosderka (PhD Student)
- “One of the biggest attractors to RMUoHP was the ability to choose my own dissertation topic. One of the best things about RMUoHP is the faculty members’ willingness to help students pursue their dissertation interests. Dr. Martin put me in touch with Dr. Bill Pitney of Northern Illinois University and the rest is history! From there, I was able to collaborate with Dr. Pitney and utilize his professional relationships to secure my remaining committee members. I like the idea of having committee members outside the University. It allows me to build professional relationships that I would have never built if I had a committee full of RMUoHP faculty members. I’m hoping these relationships will allow me to have lifelong success within AT education research. I can definitely see myself collaborating with my committee members on future research projects and continuing to build my professional network within AT education research.” – Ryan Nokes (PhD Student)
Learn More
Are you interested in learning more about starting your PhD journey? Learn more about RMUoHP’s PhD programs and concentration tracks at https://rm.edu/academics/doctor-of-philosophy-in-health-sciences/. Concentration tracks include Athletic Training, Health Promotion & Wellness, Healthcare Leadership & Administration, Human & Sport Performance, Neurologic Rehabilitation, and Pediatric Science.
Guest blog by Dr. Malissa Martin, Vice Provost for Post-Professional Programs & Athletic Training Concentration Track Director.
