The doctoral program (PhD) in Community Research and Action prepares students for academic or policy-related careers as public scholars focused on addressing critical community issues. Applied research on community issues such as healthcare access, educational inequality and poverty are strengthened through the integration of diverse theories and research methods. The curriculum draws from varied disciplines (e.g., anthropology, criminology, geography, sociology and psychology) to research the dynamic interplay among individuals, the organizations serving them and the communities (including schools and college campuses) in which they are embedded. Students entering the program typically have several years of practice experience in one or more fields including education, counseling, human services, public administration, social work and student affairs administration, as well as a commitment to social justice, health and well-being, human rights, public service, social welfare and/or community transformation.
Students in the program are guided to conceptualize their research topics across multiple levels of analysis (individual, organizational, community and societal), emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for community inquiry. Within this work, students are encouraged to focus on issues of race, class, sexuality, faith, tradition, ethnicity, gender and ability. Community-based research methods (e.g., multilevel structural equation modeling, social network analysis, critical ethnography, geographic information systems and youth-led participatory action research) are also a unique focus within the program. In all courses, the program emphasizes the importance of researchers working in collaboration with communities while seeking understanding and solutions.
Students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty to develop research studies that advance individual, organizational, and/or community health and wellness, build empowerment and seek social justice. Working alongside faculty in schools and communities, as well as on college campuses, students in the program research issues such as local food insecurity, college-student drinking and mental health care for refugees. Graduates of the Community Research and Action doctoral program are trained for careers as researchers in a variety of settings including academia, research institutions and policy institutes.
Admission
Applicants for the doctoral program should have a master's degree in counseling, human development, psychology, public administration, social work, sociology, political science, student affairs, education or another related social science discipline or profession.
Students are admitted to the program once per year. Applications received by January 15 will be given full consideration for admission and funding the following fall. Applications received after this date will be given equal consideration, but support can only be given to the extent funds are available. Applications received after May 1 will be moved to the next application cycle. Completed applications for admission to the doctoral program must follow the guidelines outlined by the Graduate School at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
The Doctoral Program Committee evaluates applications. Competitive funding packages including tuition, annual stipend and comprehensive health insurance are available for highly qualified candidates who intend to study full time. Individuals who would like to pursue the degree on a part-time basis may also apply, although some courses are only offered during the day.
Applications must include:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Written statement of approximately 2-3 (single-spaced) pages that describes: (a) the applicant's training and professional background as well as interest in issues facing communities; (b) research interests and associated relationship(s) to social justice, health and well-being, human rights, public service, social welfare and/or community transformation; (c) career goals (academic, research or policy-related) associated with pursuing a research degree; and (d) two or three faculty members in the College of Community and Public Affairs who could be potential advisors and why.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic background and record that address potential for advanced graduate study.
- If an international student, proof of English proficiency and immigration and financial documentation must be submitted. International students should visit the Graduate School website for additional details and specific requirements.
Selected applicants may interview with faculty. Applicants are typically notified in writing of final admissions decisions in March.
Graduate Assistantships
Award of assistantship positions is merit-based and competitive. Assistantships provide recipients with a tuition scholarship as well as an academic year (10-month) stipend. Graduate assistants are expected to work 20 hours/week during the term of their appointment (semester or academic year). Half-time assistantships typically require 10 hours of work per week.
Other support is awarded through the Clifford D. Clark Diversity Fellowship for Graduate Students, named for a former president of the University (1975-1990), and funded by the State University of New York and an endowment fund. Clifford D. Clark Diversity Fellowships are merit-based and designed to recruit and support students who have been admitted to graduate study and contribute to the diversity of the student body. The funding package includes academic year stipends, full tuition scholarships, research and travel opportunities, and other benefits. Clark Fellows are guaranteed to receive this support for three years, assuming satisfactory academic progress.
All domestic graduate students are encouraged to complete the . The recommended deadline for completing the FAFSA is March 1. All tuition scholarship support is used to establish financial aid loan and Federal Work Study eligibility. Students who have applied for financial aid assistance should be aware that a tuition award and/or a fellowship award may affect the amount of loan eligibility. For more information about student financial aid eligibility or other financial aid-related questions, contact the Office of Financial Aid Services. Several federal work study positions are also available on campus for graduate students who qualify on the basis of financial need. This program is open only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
Scholarships may also be available to qualified students and often require completion of the FAFSA for screening. Contact the PhD program director for more information about university, college and program scholarships, and associated eligibility criteria.
Course Substitution or Waiver Requests
Normally, no doctoral courses completed in another program or at another institution will be accepted in transfer. Substitutions or waivers for core and research courses are unusual. A written request for substitutions or waivers for core or research courses, including the academic justification, must be forwarded to the PhD program director. If approved, the course waiver or substitution will be clearly documented.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the PhD in Community Research and Action include three core courses (9 credit hours), five research methods courses (15 credit hours) and three elective courses (9 credit hours) for a total of 33 post-master’s credits, plus at least one to two dissertation credits. Selection of elective courses is carefully made to advance a minor area of study (e.g., health systems, social justice and education, qualitative research) defined by students in consultation with their advisors. Students may take a total of six credits of independent studies/directed research (CCPA 697 and 690) as electives and/or advanced research courses. Each independent study or directed research experience must be accompanied by a written proposal (template provided by the PhD director or administrative assistant).
The table that follows summarizes these requirements by major category and illustrates how electives could be distributed throughout the doctoral program. In addition to maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0, students are required to repeat any course required for the degree when they have earned a grade of a C+ or lower.
Required Core Courses (these or equivalents are required)
| CCPA 610 | Positionality, Social Justice, and the Politics of Knowledge Production |
| CCPA 611 | Conceptualizing and Researching Community |
| CCPA 612 | Power and Policy for Social Change |
Sample Research Courses
| CCPA 600 | Research Design (required) |
| CCPA 602 | Qualitative Analysis (or equivalent; introductory) |
| CCPA 603 | Quantitative Analysis 1 (required; introductory) |
| CCPA 605 | Quantitative Methods 2 (required; multivariate) |
| EDUC 681 | Mixed Methods |
| CCPA 680E | Critical Methodologies |
| CCPA 679 | Advanced Quantitative Methods for Community-Based Research (CBR) |
Course Sequencing
The following is a sample course sequence for full-time students.
Year One
Fall (9 credits)
- CCPA 602 Qualitative Analysis (3 cr.)
- CCPA 603 Quantitative Analysis 1 (3 cr.)
- CCPA 611 Conceptualizing and Researching Community (3 cr.)
Spring (9 credits)
- CCPA 600 Research Design (3 cr.)
- CCPA 605 Quantitative Methods 2: Multivariate (3 cr.)
- CCPA 610 Positionality, Social Justice, and the Politics of Knowledge Production (3 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (9 credits)
- CCPA 612 Power & Policy for Social Change (3 cr.)
- Elective (3 cr.; must be 500 level or above)
- Advanced research course (3 cr.; must be 500 level or above)
Spring (9 credits)
- Elective (3 cr.; must be 500 level or above)
- Elective (3 cr.; must be 500 level or above)
- Additional Elective (3 cr.; must be 500 level or above) or CCPA 698 (1-3 cr.; preparation and completion of comprehensive exam)
Year Three
Fall (1 credit)
- CCPA 698 Pre- Dissertation (1 cr.)
- Dissertation Proposal approved
Spring (1 credit)
- CCPA 699 Dissertation (1 cr.)
- Dissertation Defense
Other requirements include:
- Pass a comprehensive examination that occurs when all coursework is completed and before the dissertation proposal. Students must successfully pass the comprehensive examination in order to advance to candidacy and proceed to the dissertation proposal. Funded students must sit for their examination before their third year to be eligible for the final year of funding.
- Complete a traditional or three-paper dissertation that establishes students as independent scholars in their area of expertise. In addition to the traditional format, the dissertation may include chapters that are a series of publishable (or published) papers. Completed dissertations typically range from 150-200 pages.
PhD Program Director and Doctoral Program Committee
The PhD program director is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the program including recruitment, admission, and oversight of student advising. The PhD program office maintains records on each doctoral student's progress through the program, as well as associated forms for major milestones.
The PhD program director also chairs the Doctoral Program Advisory Committee. The committee is composed of five full-time, tenure-track faculty members representing different departments in the college, as well as other affiliated departments from the university. In addition to faculty representation, doctoral program staff also serve on the committee. At times, students will be asked to join the committee to share their perspectives on emerging academic issues. The Doctoral Program Advisory Committee reviews programmatic policies and procedures. Final decisions regarding the program rest with the PhD program director.
Milestone Checklists
As a doctoral student proceeds in their program, they should utilize the Milestone Checklists provided to document course completion, plans for completing the comprehensive examination, and completing the dissertation. Milestone Checklist 1 should be completed within the month following coursework completion and Milestone Checklist 2 submitted once comprehensive exam dates have been established with the advisor and other committee members. Milestone Checklists 3A and 3B outline important details on proposing and defending a dissertation, but do not need to be submitted. Additional details are provided within the CRA Doctoral Program Handbook and forms can be found in the program Brightspace site.
Comprehensive Examination
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to assess students’ mastery of program objectives and development of expertise within their concentration. The comprehensive examination will take place only after students complete all of their coursework. Administration of comprehensive exams may occur during any semester, depending on the student's progression through the program and the availability of committee members. Committee membership must include the primary advisor and two (2) additional tenure or tenure-track faculty members, typically from CCPA.
During coursework, the student and the primary advisor should work together to plan for completing the Comprehensive Examination. There are two options for completing the Comprehensive Examination. In the first option, the advisor (with feedback from committee members) develops three questions that address theory and research as well as the application of both to real world practice and policy. These questions will be grounded in the learning from the program's core and research classes as well as the student’s area of concentration. The questions should also assist the doctoral student with the initial stages of conceptualizing their dissertation through the application of theory and research to their areas of interest. In the second option, doctoral students document their scholarship and progress toward their ability to engage in independent research activities by completing two important documents: (a) a comprehensive, systematic review of literature, and (b) manuscript authorship. For Options A and B, the questions must be grounded in the learning from the program's core and research classes, as well as the student's area of concentration. Doctoral students and advisors should use the CRA Doctoral Student Handbook as a guide for meeting the expectations of either option.
Committee members will evaluate the written comprehensive examination within two weeks (14 calendar days). Students will also schedule a two-hour oral examination with their committee members to receive feedback and respond to additional questions. This examination includes areas in which the student needs to demonstrate further proficiency beyond the level demonstrated in the written responses. Primary advisors should communicate to students which areas those might be prior to the meeting so they can adequately prepare. Committee members will evaluate the student's responses (both written and oral) as high pass, pass or fail. Two-thirds of the committee must evaluate performance on the exam as pass and/or high pass for a student to advance to candidacy. All/or portions of the comprehensive examination may be repeated (using new questions) once and will be scheduled no sooner than four weeks and no longer than 12 weeks from the previous oral examination date. Students must retake the comprehensive examination and be evaluated as passing by two-thirds of committee members before proceeding with the dissertation proposal. Failure of a second comprehensive examination results in dismissal from the program.
Students have five years to complete the doctorate after passing the comprehensive examination.
Lunch and Learn Seminars
Students are encouraged to participate regularly in Community Research and Action Lunch and Learn seminars, which offer doctoral students information on a wide range of topics and provide an opportunity for students to give presentations on their research. Recordings of the Lunch and Learns will be made available to those who cannot attend.
Advising and Mentoring
Primary advisors focus on guiding students’ research, involving students in the larger research community (e.g., co-authoring papers, manuscript reviews, nominating them for awards), finding financial support and supporting their efforts to find a position after graduation (recommendations, contacts). The primary advisor will also: (1) ensure that the integrity and quality of the work is up to the high academic standards of the Community Research and Action doctoral program and the Graduate School, and assure that all procedures are carried out fairly, (2) ensure that comprehensive examinations and dissertation defenses are conducted in a timely fashion, (3) arrange and conduct all meetings and (4) confirm that requirements set forth by the committee are implemented in the final version of the dissertation. The primary advisor must be a tenure-track or tenured faculty member in CCPA or hold a courtesy title in CCPA.
Students can change advisors if research interests change and/or working styles are not compatible. In such cases, students should consult with the PhD program director, to make advising changes.
Graduate Application for Degree
Doctoral degree students must file a Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) Form at the beginning of the semester in which they plan to complete all degree requirements and graduate. This serves as notification to the Graduate School, the Office of Student Records and the PhD program director of a student's intent to graduate. The GAFD is an electronic application found on the "student" tab in BU BRAIN. The GAFD is valid for one semester only. If a student files a GAFD but fails to graduate, she or he must submit a new application for degree in the following semester or the next semester of intended completion.
Dissertation
When the student and primary advisor have agreed upon the focus for the dissertation research, committee membership will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised so that the most appropriate advisors and committee members will be available to support the student through the stages of designing and conducting the research, analyzing the data and writing the dissertation. The dissertation committee must have a minimum of three members and will also include an outside examiner.
Dissertation Formats
Students in the Community Research and Action doctoral program have the option of completing a traditional dissertation or an alternative three-paper format.
The traditional format includes a minimum of five chapters: Chapter 1 introduces the dissertation study, conceptual framework and problem statement; Chapter 2 is a review of the literature; Chapter 3 describes the research methods; Chapter 4 presents the results or findings of the study (may include additional chapters); and Chapter 5 discusses the results (or findings) in the context of the conceptual framework and literature reviewed, discusses implications for practice and/or policy, and also makes recommendations for future research studies.
The three-paper format includes sharply focused and thematically linked manuscripts targeted to journals identified by students in consultation with their committee members. Representing the student's original scholarship and sole authorship, the first could be a systematic or scoping review of the literature and the second and third papers should be empirical. Alternatively, all three papers can be empirical with their own brief review of the literature. All three papers must be sole authored and, with the review and consent of the committee, can be submitted for publication prior to the dissertation defense. The three-paper dissertation also requires an introductory and closing chapter.
Completed dissertations typically range from 150-200 pages in length.
Proposal Defense Meeting
After choosing a topic with feedback from the primary advisor and other committee members, the doctoral student prepares a detailed proposal for independent research activities. If choosing to complete a traditional dissertation, this typically includes preparing the first three (3) chapters. Doctoral students selecting the three-paper format should prepare the introductory chapter as well details for the specific plans for completing the three articles. Additional details can be found in the CRA Doctoral Program Handbook. Once the primary advisor and committee members feel confident the doctoral student is prepared to propose their research, the student schedules a two-hour proposal defense meeting to obtain committee approval before the research is carried out, regardless of whether completing the traditional or three-paper format. The proposal meeting is scheduled by students only after passing comprehensive examinations and receiving approval to do so from primary advisors (this typically occurs within three to six months after passing comprehensive exams).
Students initiate these arrangements through the doctoral program staff several weeks ahead of time. The student also drafts all Human Subjects forms (if required) for the research proposal. The written proposal should be given to the committee members a minimum of two weeks before the meeting.
The dissertation proposal meeting should include a 15-20 minute presentation by the student of the aims and scope of the proposed project for the committee. After the presentation, the committee will ask specific questions about the project and make recommendations for strengthening the proposed research. At the conclusion of the proposal meeting, it is customary for the primary advisor to request that everyone except the examining committee leave the room, so that members may reach a decision about how to move forward. The committee must unanimously approve the dissertation proposal. After the meeting, the primary advisor and the student will meet to discuss required revisions. Students are expected to make revisions to their dissertation proposals and send them to committee members for final approval within 30 days.
Dissertation Defense
When the student has completed the dissertation and has made revisions to the satisfaction of the primary advisor and committee members, the final oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled. Committee members should receive the dissertation at least a month before the defense, and they should unanimously approve the dissertation draft before the defense is scheduled. A request to the Graduate School to add an outside examiner will be initiated by the PhD program director no later than one month before the defense.
The final oral defense will be two hours long, beginning with a 20-30 minute presentation of the research by the candidate.
The defense is open to any person wishing to attend and will be advertised to the broader campus community. The defense is a public examination and the primary advisor is responsible for ensuring that the examination is open and impartial, allowing reasonable opportunities for members of the committee and outside observers to question the candidate about the dissertation. At the conclusion of the examination, it is customary for the primary advisor to request that everyone except the committee leave the room, so that the members may reach a decision. This procedure should not be invoked at any other time during the examination and should not preclude any questions from either committee members or outside observers.
To pass, the student must receive the unanimous approval of the dissertation committee approved by the Graduate School. All members of the examining committee who accept the dissertation in partial fulfillment of requirements for the doctorate shall so attest by their signatures on the Recommendation for Award of Doctoral Degree Form. If the outside examiner does not signify approval in this manner, he or she should give the reason for dissent by submitting a separate memorandum to the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School within three business days of the examination.
If at the final examination the examiners generally approve of the dissertation but require significant changes and are not yet prepared to sign the Recommendation for Award of Doctoral Degree Form, the primary advisor will coordinate with other members of the committee to compile all required changes and will inform the student of the scope and substance of those changes. The examining committee will establish how the changes will be reviewed and approved.
Following the oral exam and approval of the dissertation, the PhD program director submits to the Graduate School the signed Recommendation for Award of Doctoral Degree Form, indicating that the student has now fulfilled all academic requirements for the doctoral degree and has successfully defended the dissertation.
The vice provost and dean of the Graduate School may void any dissertation defense that is not carried out in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Graduate School. In addition, upon recommendation of the vice provost and dean's appointed outside examiner, the vice provost and dean may declare a dissertation defense null and void.
Remote Participation in Dissertation Defenses via Videoconferencing and Other Devices
Dissertation defenses may take place on campus and require the attendance of the dissertation committee including the outside examiner. Committee members or the outside examiner may participate in the defense via real-time video conferencing. In special cases, the student may also request to have the oral presentation of their dissertation via video-conferencing. In exceptional circumstances, when one member of the dissertation committee cannot be present (either physically or virtually), he or she may submit questions and comments in writing. Such arrangements must be approved in advance by the PhD program director and must have the unanimous consent of all other members of the dissertation committee and the student. In all instances, the primary advisor and the outside examiner must be physically or virtually present to observe the process.
All video conferencing and other virtual media arrangements must meet the Graduate School's expectations.
Final Copy of Dissertation
Dissertations are submitted to the Graduate School electronically. Students are responsible for submitting their final dissertation and contacting the Graduate School for specific guidelines.
PhD Milestone Summary
The table below summarizes the major milestones for doctoral students. Because individual circumstances may vary, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their primary advisor about their progress through the program. Students must be admitted to candidacy (i.e., successfully pass their comprehensive examination) within five years of admission to the Graduate School and doctoral candidates must complete all requirements for the degree, including the dissertation, within five years after admission to doctoral candidacy. A student may petition for an extension of the time limit by submitting a request to the PhD program director. If s/he endorses the request, the director then forwards it to the Graduate School for final action by the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School.
| Full-Time Students | Part-Time Students | |
| Program of Study Meeting | Semester 2 | Semester 2 |
| Complete Coursework | Semester 4 | Semester 8 |
| Comprehensive Examination | Semester 4 | Semester 8 |
| Dissertation Proposal | Semester 5 | Semester 7-9 |
| Dissertation Defense | Semester 6 | Semester 9-11 |
Academic Grievance
If a student has a complaint about a grade or other academic grievances, the student should first try to resolve any grievance with their instructor. If, after meeting with the course instructor, the student wishes to pursue further action, he or she should meet with their program director or department chair to discuss options. A copy of the CCPA Grievance Procedure is available from the CCPA Dean’s Office.
List of Faculty
This program draws faculty from across multiple departments. For a list of faculty, see the program's website.