Higher Doctorates

“Higher doctorates . . . are a higher level of award than the DPhil/PhD or professional or practice-based doctorates” (Doctoral degree characteristics, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2011, p. 19).  According to The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland,

Higher doctorates may be awarded in recognition of a substantial body of original research undertaken over the course of many years.  Typically a portfolio of work which has been previously published in a peer-refereed context is submitted for assessment. . . .

(Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008, p. 25).  They are awarded on the basis of the submission of a substantial body of exceptionally insightful and distinctive publications demonstrating advanced research and/or similar evidence of significant contributions to and influence within one’s field.  These may include articles, books, briefs, chapters, compositions, inventions, plays, research by application, etc.  Higher doctorates are considered earned (substantive) degrees “by publication.”

IUGS confers six higher doctorates:

  • Doctor of Divinity (DD)
  • Doctor of Civil Law (DCL)
  • Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
  • Doctor of Science (DSc)
  • Doctor of Music (DMus)
  • Doctor of Commerce (DCom)

Degree Requirements

  • A previous earned doctorate (professional, research or taught) or two earned master’s degrees (professional, research or taught) from accredited institutions.
  • Submission of an acceptable portfolio, to be reviewed by the appropriate Faculty, consisting of work undertaken after the award of the last postgraduate degree.
  • Viva-voce (oral examination) either during the Residency Week or via other means with regard to applicants for whom travel would be impracticable.
  • In the case of applicants for the DD, evidence of ordination by and good standing in a recognized religious denomination.
  • In the case of applicants for the DCL, evidence of admission to the bar of the highest court in any jurisdiction.

After the preliminary review of an applicant’s curriculum vitae, list of publications and transcripts, (a) the candidate may be advanced to degree candidacy, or (b) the candidate may not be advanced to degree candidacy but may instead enter one of the University’s other doctoral programmes with full credit for all tuition and fees already paid.

If the case of (a), the candidate next proceeds to submit his/her full portfolio.

After a comprehensive review of the portfolio, (1) the candidate may be awarded the higher doctorate, or (2) the candidate may be given additional research to complete in order to earn the higher doctorate, or (3) the candidate may be denied the higher doctorate but may transfer to one of the University’s other doctoral programmes with full credit for all tuition and fees already paid.

 

What are the costs?

ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE PAYABLE IN U.S. DOLLARS

Fee for preliminary evaluation of curriculum vitae, list of publications, and Transcripts $ 3,000
Tuition (Includes: advisement, library fees, portfolio review, and viva voce; also includes fees for the Residency Week, payable whether or not attended) $14,500
Travel, food and lodging (Estimated cost of attending the Residency Week) $ 2,500
Total Cost  $20,000

 

 

Meet the Dean – Dr. Benjamin Brucker Weisman

Benjamin Brucker Weisman, MBA, PhD

Chancellor of the University

 

Click here for Bio/CV of Dr. Benjamin Brucker Weisman

 

Meet the Dean – Dr. William Martin Sloane

William Martin Sloane, BA, MA, MAR, MBA, DBA, EdD, JD, LLM (Labor), PhD

Pro-Chancellor of the University

Click here for Bio/CV of Dr. William Martin  Sloane