Doctoral studies must combine rigor with flexibility. This mixture is a hallmark of successful doctoral programs in the leading universities of the world. Therefore, while it is expected that most doctoral students at the DI will follow the study plan set out below, some may be exempted from parts of the plan either because they can demonstrate advanced standing, or because their fiel​ds of specialization may not demand some of the courses as determined by the Board of Doctoral Studies on the recommendation of Schools and Programs. Students who can demonstrate competence in the foundational courses will be granted advanced standing status as specified above. Students specializing in History and Linguistics for example, may be exempted from the quantitative methodology course and instead take the Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought course.

The study plan for doctoral studies will consist of 60 credit hours as follows:

First Year
 

• ​​Se​mester 1:
• Research Design (3 credit hours)
• Advanced Issues in the Social, Human, Economic, and Administrative Sciences 1 (3 credit hours)

• Semester 2:
• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods ( 3 credit hours)
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods ( 3 credit hours)
• Advanced Issues in the Social, Human, Economic, and Administrative Sciences 2 (3 credit hours)
• It is possible (upon need) for students in History and Linguistics to replace the Advanced Quantitative Research Methods course with the following course:
  
• Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought (3 credit hours)

 
Second Year
 

• Semesters 3 and 4:
• ​Prospectus (15 credit hours)

• Semesters 5, 6, 7, 8:
• ​​Dissertation research, writing and defense (30 credit hours)