THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH WEST EUROPE

Doctoral Studies in Integration Research
Double Doctoral Degree


The Institute of Advanced Studies and Research is a research unit of the University of Northwest Europe and that provides a synergetic educational environment for the advancement of knowledge in the fields of interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. Through its community of scholars it combines an integrative approach to academic research with distinctives drawn from various cultures and research models. The Institute is committed to research that will result in the assimilation of essential scientific principles into the dynamics of society and the formation of literature and results related to these subjects.


Doctoral Programme

The doctoral programme is structured to build on a student's previous graduate education. Through the integrative academic approach the students will develop competency, learn essential content and process from other disciplines, analyse personal and professional orientation, and individualise their developmental reading and primary research with respect to their particular orientation. The programme is designed to prepare students for a research proposal on a specific problem that will serve as the framework for dissertation research.


Institutional Philosophy

The academic programme is primarily an adult educational model that uses interactive learning designs utilising innovative educational technologies, multimedia, and telematics. Traditional pedagogic methods are used when they are necessary to instruct, tutor, or communicate specific content essential to the course of study. The faculty attempts to create an educational climate conducive to adult learning that promotes mutual respect and trust among faculty and students. The intention is to establish a community of scholars united in their efforts to find practical solutions to social problems in business and industry, the social professions, religion, para-church organisations, and society as a whole.

Through seminars, colloquiums, tutorials, forums, and faculty supervision of developmental reading and primary research projects, the programme provides a structure for students to acquire both content and competency in the integration of the sciences into society. This enlarges the base of knowledge as preparation for graduate research. While the faculty provides a structure for content acquisition, students are required to exercise initiative in the learning process. Students are also encouraged to use those personal and educational skills already acquired through professional training and vocational experience while participating in structured learning activity or when engaged in developmental reading and primary research.


Context Philosophy

The programme requires a balance between content and application. Since the programme is contextual, curricular content is a vehicle for social change. Candidates must be aware of their contemporary social and professional context and seek to apply what is learned in their profession or vocation. The institution holds, however, that the ills of the present cannot be adequately analysed without a priority commitment to the deposit of academic scholarship upon which the present system is based.
Through a continuously monitored process of study and research, the student will demonstrate the ability to contextualise concepts, techniques, and information from different disciplines to benefit the student's academic advancement, personal maturity, and professional growth.


Time Requirement

The programme requires a minimum of 36 months to complete. The first year is dedicated to intensive reading and research with emphasis on philosophy, sociology, psychology, ethics, cultural and integration sciences and the research discipline. Each subject requires an extensive research paper or essay of publishable quality. A proctored final examination after the first year will lead to the degree of Master of Advanced Studies (Mastère d’Etudes Approfondies), and, where the average result of 3.0 (magna cum laude) is achieved, to doctoral candidacy status. The Doctoral Progamme requires 2-3 years to complete.


Research Areas: (First year)

1. Philosophy - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

2. Sociology - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

3. Psychology - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

4. Developmental Science - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

5. Environmental Psychology - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

6. Personality Psychology - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

7. Cultural & Integration Sciences - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.

8. Ethics - Assigned readings and one publishable research paper.


Dissertation core area (Second and third year)

Law :
European Integration Law
European & Comparative Migration Law
International Law

Social Science :
European Social Policy
European Integration
Environmental Science
Labour Science
Ethno-cultural Studies
Bio-Sciences
Ethno-Mediciine

Economics :
Economic Policy
European Economic Integration

Business Administration :
Entrepreneurship
Management
Intercultural Human resources Management
Post-Merger Integration

Psychology :
Ethno-cultural Psychology
Behavioural Science
Health Sciences and Policy

Doctoral Examination

Doctor/Ph.D. in Integration Sciences


Double Degree Programme

Universidad Azteca and the University of Northwest Europe signed an academic cooperation agreement. Suitable Masters graduates and, with the approval of UAzteca, other students with a relevant prior qualification, should be given the opportunity to participate in Ph.D. programmes offered jointly with UCN (Universidad Central de Nicaragua) internationally. Upon successful completion of the relevant programme, the participants will be awarded the title of Doctor en Filosofía (PhD Doctor of Philosophy) by UAzteca & UCN. UAzteca is hereby validating the UNorthwest programme as in line with the academic requirements.