• Doctoral Residency Program Objectives and Overview

    Doctoral Residency is an opportunity for learners to enhance their skills by collaborating with GCU faculty and other doctoral learners.

    • Learn the steps in the dissertation journey, your role as a doctoral learner and the role of the committee members.
    • Work with faculty and staff who are experts in research and the dissertation process.
    • Get one-on-one coaching and feedback from dissertation chairs and faculty on your specific research ideas.
    • Receive additional guidance on systems, tools and resources available to aide with the dissertation process (Doctoral Librarian, SPSS, RefWorks, DC Network, IRB Net).
    • Work on your planned research with faculty and peers to further develop the 10 Strategic Points that provide the architecture for your research.
    • Establish a network of peers for ongoing collaboration and support.

  • Doctoral Residency Attendance Policy

    • Doctoral learners are required to attend two Doctoral Residencies as part of their degree programs.
    • Residency 1 – RSD 851: Learners must attend the first Doctoral Residency by 24 credits. You should schedule the first Doctoral Residency between the fifth course and the eighth course.
    • Residency 2 – RSD 881: Learners must attend the second Doctoral Residency by 42 credits. You should schedule the second Doctoral Residency between the 10th course and the 14th course.
    • If you are unable to attend the first Doctoral Residency by 24 credits or the second Doctoral Residency by 42 credits, you will not be allowed to register for additional courses until the Residency requirement is met.

  • Doctoral Residency Attendance Policy

    • Doctoral Residency has both an online classroom portion and an onsite classroom portion.
    • The online portion of the Doctoral Residency course is three weeks long and starts 11 days prior to the onsite portion.
    • The online portion is designed to allow you early access to your course materials and additional resources prior to your arrival at Doctoral Residency.
    • Learners should review the syllabus on the first day of the course for online due dates.
    • Residency registration begins at 10am-12pm in the hotel lobby.
    • The onsite class starts on Monday at 1 pm and ends on Friday at noon.
    • Attendance in online classroom and all sessions of the onsite classroom is required.
    • Learners are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Academic Standards outlined in the University Policy Handbook* during the entire Doctoral Residency.
    • The Doctoral Residency is designed to run concurrently with another doctoral course. For specific information regarding how this affects your method of payment, please speak with your student services counselor.

    University Policy Handbook: https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Policies/University%20Policy%20Handbook-110917.pdf

  • Doctoral Residency Tuition and Fees

    • Doctoral Residency is a 3-credit course subject to applicable tuition rates.
    • Doctoral Residency is subject to the Course Withdrawal Policy and Tuition Refund Policy as outlined in the University Policy Handbook.*
    • The Doctoral Residency fee is in addition to course tuition.
    • Visit Tuition and Financing for a listing of our Doctoral Residency Fees.
    • The Doctoral Residency fee is non-refundable.

    The Doctoral Residency fee includes:

    • One-on-one coaching from faculty.
    • Hotel room for four nights (arrival Monday, departure Friday).
    • Wireless Internet access.
    • Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2-4 dinners (varies by location) and daily snacks.

    Learners are responsible for:

    • Any and all personal transportation to, from and during the in-person portion of Doctoral Residency.
    • Any charges related to travel, including but not limited to change/transfer fees, cancellation fees, etc.

    University Policy Handbook: https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Policies/University%20Policy%20Handbook-110917.pdf

  • Schedule Notes

    • Doctoral Residency will take place at the GCU Hotel & Conference Center.
    • Doctoral Residency registration is from 10 am - 12 pm on Monday.
    • Doctoral Residency starts at 1 pm on Monday and ends at noon on Friday.
    • Hotel check-in time is 4 pm (arrivals before 4 pm will be accommodated as rooms become available).
    • Hotel checkout time is 11 am.

      • Finalized Doctoral Residency schedules will be posted on the DC Network™ under the Doctoral Residency tab.

  • Friends and Family at Doctoral Residency

    • While we understand friends and family are an important part of your support network, we recommend that they do not attend the onsite portion of Doctoral Residency so that you can be fully focused on the objectives of the experience.
    • Instead, we recommend that you add a few days before or after Doctoral Residency to have dedicated time with friends and family.
    • Individuals accompanying learners are responsible for their own transportation and meals and are not permitted to attend classes, general sessions or any other Doctoral Residency-related program during the onsite portion.

  • RSD 851 and RSD 881 Pre-Assignment

    • Your Pre-Assignment will be posted on the DC Network™.
    • You must submit the Pre-Assignment by the due date designated on your course syllabus in order to receive credit. The course syllabus will be available in LoudCloud no later than the first day of the online portion of your class.
    • Specific instructions for the Pre-Assignment and course materials are located in the RSD Folders on the Doctoral Residency tab in the DC Network™. Course materials are available now.

  • Student Disability Services

    • GCU welcomes all students, faculty and staff with disabilities. Student Disability Services ensures all students have equal access to systems, programs and facilities. Our adherence to state, federal and local laws exemplifies our determination to be inclusive of all members of the GCU community.
    • Student Disability Services is the designated department for accommodation requests as guided by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and GCU policy. Members of our team evaluate disability documentation, determine eligibility and implement reasonable accommodations for enrolled students.
    • A disability can be a permanent or temporary condition.
    • For a dietary accommodation, contact Student Disability Services.
    • For accommodation requests, contact Student Disability Services at 602-639-6342 or [email protected] at least one month prior to arrival at Doctoral Residency.

  • Doctoral Residency Checklist

    To help ensure a successful Doctoral Residency, we suggest you confirm the following as soon as possible:

    • Airline Reservation.
      • Book early to save money, but be aware of change/cancellation restrictions.
      • Plan travel to accommodate arriving in the city of your Doctoral Residency by 10 am and course ending on Friday at noon.
      • Submit travel plans on your personal travel web form 45 days before your Doctoral Residency date to complete your registration process.
    • Tuition (paid in full).
    • Food Budget (consider expenses while en route, plus budget for dinners on your own).
    • Time Off (confirmed with workplace/employer).
    • Family Schedule (confirmed support systems are in place during time away from home).
    • Doctoral Residency Pre-Assignment (completed and deposited in your classroom assignment folder).
    • Business casual attire (no jeans or shorts); dress in layers of clothing (outside/inside temperatures vary).
    • Laptop, chargers, power cords and electronic version of textbooks.
    • Special needs communicated to [email protected] at least a month prior to arrival.

    Please feel free to email your Doctoral Residency questions to [email protected] or contact your student services counselor.

  • Tips for Success from Your Peers

    • Read, read, read: Research dissertations and empirical articles on your topic and bring them to Doctoral Residency.
    • Prepare: Spend time completing the Pre-Assignment as this will better align your research.
      • Complete other coursework before your arrival at Doctoral Residency to get the most value out of the week.
      • Use the evenings to apply learnings and develop or revise your Prospectus or Proposal.
    • Engage: Network with the various faculty and staff members who will be present in order to develop a collaboration and support team.

    You should feel rejuvenated, excited and focused after Doctoral Residency!

  • DC Network™

    • Visit https://dc.gcu.edu/residency to obtain Doctoral Residency updates, Pre-Assignment instructions, travel tips and schedules.
    • Reminder: Please contact Student Disability Services at [email protected] for any special needs at least one month prior to your Doctoral Residency.