DBA QSM* Course Descriptions
Semester 1:
EDU 801 Best Practices in Doctoral Education
This course provides an introduction to course material and project selection techniques, types of projects and their application. The course will include methods and techniques of qualitative doctoral research and a review of leading applied research in the field. Emphasis will be placed on electronic retrieval of information as related to the doctoral dissertation project. Discussion will focus candidates best practices and projects considered significant by their sponsors and/or champions. (3cr)
EDU 851 Principles of Academic Writing and Publishing
Guidelines for writing to academic standards are covered in preparation for student publishing demonstrating their up to date research in the field of study to withhold scrutiny of readers, publishers, and the academic community. (3cr)
QSM 847 QSM System Design
This course provides a checklist of success elements required for systems thinking and implementation. Antithetical movements such as smokestack thinking are introduced through case studies. Student exercises involve creating organizational alignment between voice of the customer and voice of the process. (3cr)
QSM 808 Integrated Studies in Quality Systems Management
This course provides additional opportunity for faculty to introduce and lead discussion on QSM related topics of special interests. Students should prepare for extensive on-line research and will create a benchmark list of annotated bibliographies in the subject area. (3cr)
DOC 850 Doctoral Dissertation Project I
Identification of a potential project; analyze and synthesize research on the topic; produce a concept paper for the project to be presented to the dissertation committee. (3cr)
Semester 2:
QSM 838 Dissertation Project Development I
Designed especially for the context of the NGS DBA program, which proceeds at a pace more accelerated than is true for conventional doctoral programs, this development course allows collaboration with faculty for assessment of the student progress to date, permits completion of outstanding course requirements as relevant, and plans forward progress for program completion. (3cr)
QSM 858 Advanced Benchmarking
Discussions include benchmarking strategies with benchmarking principles presented to lead students to make practical applications to doctoral dissertation projects. (3cr)
QSM 840 Conversations with Leaders
Leaders in the specialized field of study are invited to share their insights on leadership and best practices that led to success or failure of themselves or their organizations. Students will visit the organizational web site and complete extensive electronic research before each lecture. (3cr)
QSM 872 Cost of Quality and Financial Principles
Advanced principles of finance and accounting are taught with applications to business management. (3cr)
DOC 862 Doctoral Dissertation Project II
This Doctoral Dissertation check point ensures program studies project integration, facilitating the transition from data gathering to final output for the project, including the appropriate selection, application and interpretation of data and metrics. Emphasis is placed on quantitative doctoral research. Presentation to the dissertation committee will be required. (3cr)
Semester 3:
DOC 880 Doctoral Implementation I
Students demonstrate third level learning outcomes going beyond understanding, application, and comparison. Expectations include proposal of an original theory or approach. Implementation with Dissertation Committee guidance. (3cr)
QSM 808 Integrated Studies in Quality Systems Management II (Second in a series)
This course provides additional opportunity for faculty to introduce and lead discussion on QSM related topics of special interests. Students should prepare for extensive on-line research and will create a benchmark list of annotated bibliographies in the subject area. (3cr)
EDU 841 Best Practices in the Teaching of QSM
The best practices of teaching are covered, such as, student learning techniques, interaction, expectations, time allocation, and diversity with emphasis on NGS principles and standards. It is expected that the sponsoring organization may choose to utilize the degree candidate to “teach” organization priorities in internal or customer-related forums. (3cr)
SSM 874 Statistical Principles and Lean
Principles of statistics for quality professionals including probability distributions, sampling, and hypothesis testing are covered to focus on the design of experiments for Six Sigma and Lean methodologies in diverse industries. (3cr)
DOC 866 Doctoral Dissertation Project III
This Doctoral Dissertation check point ensures project progress and targeted research. Presentation to the dissertation committee will be required. (3cr)
Semester 4:
EDU 852 Publishing
The doctoral requirement of publishing is demonstrated in refereed or sponsored texts. The faculty will provide practical guidance, encouragement and progress monitoring. (3cr)
QSM 860 Global Quality Systems in China and India
This course examines whether two contemporary nations utilize quality systems principles and best practices. There is extensive on-line research and the accumulation of annotated references. Organizational leaders appear on-line or through Pod Casts. (3cr)
EDU 842 Field Experience in Teaching
The doctoral requirement of demonstrating competence in teaching is practiced. Designated seasoned faculty will provide coach mentoring. (3cr)
DOC 882 Doctoral Implementation II
Includes electronic juried review by Dissertation Committee. (3cr)
DOC 854 Colloquium
Students must present at a recognized Quality Conference or Forum. All presentations must receive Dissertation Committee approval prior to presentation. The colloquium can be taken at any time during the DBA program. (3cr)
DOC 867 Doctoral Dissertation Project IV
This capstone course in the DBA program prepares students for the final presentation to Dissertation Committee which will include steps taken to test results over time for sustained results. (3cr)
Curriculum is subject to change.
*Not available in Massachusetts.