PhD Program
The Higher Institute for Future Studies offers a PhD program as the highest academic degree, focusing on advanced scientific research and innovative knowledge production. The program aims to prepare researchers and experts capable of advancing their fields through in-depth studies and advanced critical analysis, with a focus on finding pioneering solutions to future challenges.
The PhD program is designed to be a milestone in the academic and professional career of researchers, providing them with advanced research tools and modern scientific methodologies, enabling them to conduct original studies that contribute to enriching knowledge and developing policies and practices in their fields. It also qualifies graduates to work in universities, research centers, and consulting institutions, or to hold leadership positions in various sectors, by applying the acquired knowledge in complex and changing professional environments.
To be admitted to the Doctoral Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Academic Qualification:
- The applicant must hold a Master’s degree or its equivalent from the Academy of Strategic Thinking or from another accredited academic institution recognized in its respective country.
Academic Preparedness:
- If the applicant obtained their Master’s degree from an institution other than the Academy of Strategic Thinking, they must provide the results of one or more standardized tests determined by the academic program to assess their academic readiness.
Language Proficiency:
- Applicants with a Master’s degree from a non-Academy institution must demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction used in the desired doctoral program.
- If the doctoral program is taught in Arabic, the applicant must also demonstrate proficiency in another language as specified by the relevant academic department.
- The Graduate Studies College determines the minimum required language proficiency level.
Employment Approval (for non-full-time students):
- If the applicant is employed, they must provide written approval from their employer confirming their ability to enroll in the program.
Additional Requirements:
- The applicant must meet any additional specific requirements set by the chosen doctoral program.
The doctoral program represents the minimum requirements for the College of Graduate Studies. The academic department (represented by the program committee) may specify additional general requirements (within the doctoral program) or specific requirements (within the student’s program) with the approval of the College of Graduate Studies. In addition to the dissertation, the doctoral program requirements must include a minimum of fifteen (15) units of approved graduate courses, including a maximum of six (6) units from outside the major.
Graduate studies courses taken by the student are accredited provided they have not previously been accredited as part of the requirements for a master’s degree or a first university degree. Graduate courses taken outside the Academy of Thinking may be accredited provided they do not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the program’s required units, and the grade of each course must not be less than three points or its equivalent. These courses must have been taken within the specified time period for obtaining the degree, or no more than two years have passed since completion of the course and the date of admission to the program.
The academic supervisor determines a study program consistent with the student’s academic background. A preliminary program must be approved by the College of Graduate Studies before the start of the second semester. The student’s final study program must also be approved by the College of Graduate Studies before the end of the third semester, upon the recommendation of the academic supervisor, accompanied by academic justifications for this amendment, approved by the College of Graduate Studies. The student’s study program (preliminary and final) must include all the courses the student is committed to taking, in addition to any additional courses required to support the student’s academic background or the nature of the intended research. All approved courses taken by the student are included in the calculation of their grade point average.
Minimum Duration:
- The minimum period required to complete the Doctoral Degree is two years, excluding any periods of study interruption.
Maximum Duration:
Full-Time Students:
- The standard duration for completing the Doctoral Program is four years.
- With the approval of the Graduate Studies College, a student may be granted an extension of up to two additional academic years.
Part-Time Students:
- The standard duration for part-time students is five years.
- With the approval of the Graduate Studies College, a student may be granted an extension of up to two additional academic years.
Reduction in Study Duration:
- Students who have completed relevant graduate-level coursework at other accredited academic institutions may qualify for a reduction in the required study duration.
- A one-semester reduction is granted for every six (6) approved credit units, with any fractional periods being disregarded.
The student must submit a request to take the Doctoral Qualifying Examination through their academic supervisor to the Graduate Studies College upon nearing the completion of all required coursework in their program, provided that their cumulative GPA is not less than 3.0.
Based on the recommendation of the Program Committee, the Graduate Studies College forms the Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee. This committee is chaired by the student’s academic supervisor and includes:
- Two faculty members from the student’s major field of study.
- One or two additional faculty members from the Graduate Studies Program.
The Doctoral Qualifying Examination consists of both written and oral components.
If a student fails the examination on the first attempt, they are allowed one final retake within six months.
If the student fails the second attempt, they will be academically dismissed from the Doctoral Program.
The doctoral dissertation is an original research study conducted by the student under the guidance of their academic supervisor. It must demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct independent and innovative research.
Upon passing the Doctoral Qualifying Examination, the student must submit a detailed dissertation proposal through their academic supervisor. This proposal should include:
- Research problem
- Research methodology
- Key references
- Required resources for execution
The proposal must be approved by both the academic supervisor and the Program Committee to be officially recognized as the doctoral research project. The Graduate Studies College may submit the approved project to the Board of Trustees for potential funding support.
The student must enroll in the doctoral dissertation course every semester following the qualifying examination. Dissertation registration can extend beyond one semester. The academic supervisor assigns a progress evaluation of either “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory”. A student enrolled in the dissertation is considered to have met the academic workload requirements outlined in the regulations.
Dissertation Examination Process
Once the dissertation is completed, the supervisor(s) submit a proposal to form the Dissertation Examination Committee to the Program Committee.
After approval, the Program Committee forwards the proposed committee formation to the Graduate Studies College.
The Graduate Studies College appoints at least one external examiner with the academic rank of Professor from outside the institution. The external examiner must attend the dissertation defense. If attendance is not possible, they must submit a written report, which will be considered in evaluating the dissertation.
Dissertation Examination Committee Formation
The Dean of the Graduate Studies College appoints the Dissertation Examination Committee as follows:
- The dissertation supervisor(s).
- Two faculty members from the student’s major field of study (at least one must hold the rank of Professor; the other may be an Associate Professor).
- One faculty member from the Graduate Studies Program (serving as the Chair of the committee).
- The external examiner (or their report).
- A second external examiner, if applicable, or their report.
Defense Requirements & Outcome
The student must complete all other program requirements and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 before defending their dissertation.
Based on the Dissertation Examination Committee’s recommendation and Graduate Studies College approval, the defense may be public or announced in media outlets.
The dissertation is graded as Pass (P) or Fail (F). The student must be enrolled in the semester in which the degree is awarded.
If the student fails the dissertation defense, they are allowed one final attempt. A second failure results in academic dismissal from the doctoral program.
