I am often asked about “how fast” one can go through the RSH and DIS classes or if they can be doubled-up. These courses cannot be doubled-up…you must pass through each one in succession. You can take more than one course while working in your core classes, but you cannot do that with these.
Each of the four RSH classes builds one on the other with the finished CP resulting in RSH-9104. After comps, you begin the DIS classes. Each of these moves you along the dissertation process. NCU requires three DIS classes, worth three credits, and cost at full price. Then, you work through DIS 4, DIS 5, DIS 6, etc., until you finish. These courses are one credit hour each and are billed at the one credit hour price. I ended up taking five DIS courses.
I found that the major issue in the RSH and DIS classes were the waits between reviews/returning assignments by the mentors and chair, the dissertation committee, the OAR, and the IRB. Also, I had to extend data collection because of poor response. My advice to those entering RSH and DIS courses is to always be one step ahead; always be ready with the next assignment if possible. Of course, if you do not received approved documents from the OAR those will need to pass back through your chair and committee for review.
Keep in mind, it is very common for the CP, DP, and DM to be rejected on the first submittal. I was told that only 10% of all DMs are accepted the first time through with no changes required.
For example, if your DP is a resubmit, and the OAR kept it for 14 days (instead of the 7 in the document turnaround guidelines), it may take you several days (let’s say 3 days) to fix the problems, then your chair and committee reviews it for 8 days (7 days in the guideline). Now you are ready to resubmit to the OAR, and they keep it 12 days. You now have approval, but all this cost you 37 days. So you can see how quicky a resubmit DP can drag out to 30+ days! You are now over 5 weeks “behind” in your timeline which has eaten up a third of a DIS course.
You must remember that most of your professors are multi-employed and by nature, very busy people. Personally, I would rather have an in-depth critique of my work rather than a quick run-through.
Be patient. Be courteous. Remember – delays outside your control will happen. Be complete when addressing issues and making recommended changes with your work.
In all, my advice is to focus on moving forward on the journey.
Don’t worry about the TIME it takes to reach a PhD.
Just reach it.
Just thinkPhD.