In August 2016, we held our first ever physical, intensive doctoral dissertation boot camp for doctoral candidates in the dissertation sequence at our Service Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. While we are proud to deliver our programs online without the requirement to travel, we recognized the value in face-to-face interactions.
NCU Dissertation Boot Camp consists of two and a half days of intense, critical thinking training, development of successful, doctoral acumen, support for research study alignment and feasibility, modeling the use of research methods, and providing students the tools necessary to complete their dissertation. NCU faculty work alongside students individually and in cohorts to help answer questions, explain program and dissertation processes and expectations, and help students gain the confidence and drive necessary to complete their doctoral journey. We paid special attention to building on the foundation students already had, with a goal in mind to leave the boot camp with the skills and knowledge necessary to complete a timely, scholarly, and publishable dissertation study. Sessions are led by experienced NCU Faculty. Students are able to develop cohort relationships with their peers and interact in both formal and informal sessions with faculty and students.
2019 Events
Summer Dissertation Boot Camp Ft Lauderdale, Florida June 16th-18th, 2019 Registration Closed Fall Dissertation Boot Camp Nashville, Tennessee September 29th - October 1st, 2019 Registration Open: Click Here! January Dissertation Boot Camp Phoenix, Arizona January 5th-7th, 2020 Registration Coming Soon
* Frequency of boot camp events will be based on student interest levels. Please be sure to express interest in attending early so we can add additional events to our schedule!All current NCU students in an NCU doctoral program.
Fees for the boot camps include exclusive access to current NCU dissertation chair faculty from each school or department, one-to-one sessions with NCU dissertation chair faculty, event supplies, dissertation resource guides, most meals and depending on the location the hotel arrangements.
Fees are calculated based on the number of participants, the time of year, and location. If you are interested in participating in a boot camp please send an email to NCUDissertationbootcamp@ncu.edu for more information.
At this time students are not able to use Title IV Financial Aid to cover the cost of attendance. However we have had employers cover the participation fee as a part of a professional development program. If you think your employer would be interested in covering the cost and would like a personal message from your School Dean recommending you to attend a boot camp, please email NCUDissertationbootcamp@ncu.edu.
Generally the session topics are as follows:
- COMPS, Prospective or Portfolio Prep
- Managing distractions – getting re-motivated
- Library, ASC & Available Resources
- How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
- Writing for your Dissertation
- Dissertation Roadmap
- Research methods alignment
- Bringing the dissertation chapters together
- Purpose, Problem Statement, and research questions/hypotheses
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- IRB Application/Process
- Research techniques – Quantitative
- Research techniques – Qualitative
- Defending your Dissertation
- Publishing Strategies
If you are a prospective student or would just like to speak one on one with a former boot camper you can email us at NCUDissertationbootcamp@ncu.edu and ask to speak to a Boot Camp Ambassador. We will connect you with a student who is closely aligned with your program and study if possible.
The boot camp was quite inspiring and I felt like I turned the corner after it ended. I can certainly say I am no longer unsure of any aspect of my dissertation and even more convinced of my success. The boot camp introduced me to many of my colleagues; many of whom are now friends. Personally, I'd like to thank NCU, the presenters and the organizers of this boot camp for satisfying a most critical need.
- Current Student, PhD Business Administration, Business and Technology Management, August 2016 Boot Camp
Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the time I spent at NCUs first dissertation boot camp. If I had this opportunity during my first dissertation course, I would have taken it. I can only describe the experience as taking each puzzle piece from my core classes and putting it together to see the bigger picture. The people I have met were insightful and inspirational. Since I have been back home, I am more motivated with a clear picture of the road ahead. NCU is consistently looking for ways to improve our experience and I am excited for what else they have in stored.
- Current student, PhD in Education, E-Learning, August 2016 Boot Camp
I really enjoyed my boot camp experience. It was well worth the time and money. I loved getting to know the professors, staff, and other students. There was a lot of good information, and one-on-one help. I really appreciated the time and meals that the faculty and staff shared with us after class, as well as how much they seem to care about us as people. They were very encouraging and helpful.
- Current Student, PhD Education, International Education, January 2017 International Boot Camp
My cynical expectation of the Boot Camp was a large conference hall with a single presenter droning on over PowerPoint slides. I expected to be an inactive participant, and hope to steal a few minutes of a professor's time to discuss my topic, and assumed I would be the only one in the room with my type of questions. However, the entire Boot Camp team exceeded every expectation both in terms of being approachable, keeping the groups small, and encouraging participation by being so approachable and welcoming. We all had questions, and we all felt comfortable asking them. I am on my third online degree program from three different institutions, and the NCU team is by far the most relatable and approachable group of educators I have seen. I cannot overemphasize the value of this course, whether in the pre-dissertation or mid-dissertation part of your program.
- Current Student, DBA Human Resource Management, November 2018 Boot Camp