FAQs

Q: What can I do with my degree? A: The IECD PhD allows you to become an expert in the specialized areas of infant and early childhood development and families. Our graduates may advance their careers in their chosen profession, start clinics, teach and train, pursue work in policy and advocacy in government and/or the private sector, conduct research, and take on roles of leadership. The degree will support/develop your expertise and, depending on your profession, will allow you to advance in your career or enhance your current practice by giving you a specialty and an area of expertise. This, in turn, may increase your income and broaden your career opportunities. For example, an early childhood educator with a PhD has the potential to go into administration, or a nurse practitioner can specialize in Infant Mental Health and become a leader in the rapidly expanding area of child/parent well-being in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Courses will also address competencies for Alliance for

Infant Mental Health Endorsement. Q:What are the residency requirements? A: For the IECD PhD, the only residency requirement is the New Student Orientation (NSO), which lasts approximately 5 days. The January and May NSOs take place in Santa Barbara, CA. The September NSO may take place in the Washington, DC area or Santa Barbara, CA. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend our University-wide national sessions, which are held several times a year in different parts of the United

States. Q:Is the IECD program accredited? A: Yes. Fielding Graduate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has been since 1982. Q:What is the age range of students in this program? A: Our students span the age from those in their late 20’s to 65+ years.

Q: How many hours per week does one spend on coursework on average per class? A: Students who enroll in 12 credits a term spend an average of 32 hours a week on their studies depending on the nature of the specific coursework. Q: How many years does it take to graduate from the university with the degree? A: If the suggested number of courses are taken each trimester, the PhD takes approximately 3 ½ years to finish. Q:How can I limit my tuition costs? A: Tuition is charged by the term and not by the credit hour, so students can take advantage of those times in the year when they are more available to complete coursework. IECD doctoral students who are nearing the completion of their programs are eligible for advancement to candidacy status, which grants a 30% reduction in tuition. In addition, all students are eligible for up to 12 months of leave over the course of their enrollment, although such leave may extend time to degree. Visit Tuition at www.Fielding.edu/tuition and Financial Aid at www.Fielding.edu/finaid for more financial planning tips. Q: Who are the faculty members for the IECD programs? A: All faculty in the program hold advanced degrees. They are committed to applying their expertise and experience to help students achieve their goals. They also span a wide range of disciplines such as clinical psychology, speech and language, occupational therapy, advocacy, and others. Please visit http://www.fielding.edu/our-programs/schoolof-leadership-studies/phd-infant-early-childhooddevelopment/faculty-iecd/ to learn more about our dedicated and professional faculty.

Q: Are graduate students required to closely match their research interests with those of the professor, or can students choose a dissertation topic related to their own interests? A: IECD PhD students can determine their dissertation topics based on their own personal passions. Our faculty members are committed to helping students reach their individual dissertation goals. Q:What concentrations are available, and what classes can I take? A: You can choose from a wide variety of pre-approved concentrations. You can take the courses in the concentrations as part of your elective options. Q: Does adding a concentration extend the number of years to completion? A: While it does not need to extend time in the program, it may do so for some students who would like to complete courses beyond the required number of electives. Q: When can I begin working on my dissertation? A: If you already have a strong sense of your topic when you enter the program, you can begin working on your dissertation by focusing on it during core courses. You can run searches and acquaint yourself with the literature as you are going through the program, and you can have conversations with faculty members about your topic. We encourage students to begin thinking about their dissertation topic in the pre-New Student Orientation and

New Student Orientation. Q: What is the minimum course load I can take per semester? A: The minimum credits required for a term is 4. However, to meet timely progress requirements, PhD students need 18 credits each year. An average of 12 credits is recommended per term. Visit our course catalog for more information at: Fielding.edu/IECDcourses

Q:How are the curricula presented online (video presentations, discussion forums)? Are there a lot of group projects, or are there more individual projects than group projects? Do students do a lot of group projects, or do faculty assign more individual projects? A: Coursework is completed online, and the majority of classes are taught live via Zoom synchronous meetings. Papers are posted online, and faculty respond by e-mail to individuals regarding written work. In some classes, students work in small groups, while in others, students do individual presentations. The course syllabi, available before registration, outline course delivery methods and expectations. Q: What supplemental services are available to students? A: Fielding students can utilize Disability Services, Student Accounts, Library Services, Office of the Registrar, Student Advising, Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Information Technology Services.

Erica Fichter, MBA Director of Admissions & Recruitment Fielding Graduate University