Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Emergency and Protective Services

Earn a doctorate degree in Emergency and Protective Services, advance both scholarly research and your career

The rapid infusion of new technology, material, and human interactions in every setting is creating new challenges for Emergency and Protective Service professionals in every environment.  The pressures to identify, plan and implement response requirements, for emergencies where life, property or the environment is at risk while preventing injuries and death to both emergency responders and the general public is greater now than at any time in the past. 

Capitol Technology University’s online PhD program in emergency and protective services is designed for current professionals in the field who desire to elevate their skills to the highest level and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. 

While completing the program, students will already be helping to advance the industry through the creation of new knowledge and ideas. Through this research-based, online doctorate, students engage quickly in research and publishing without the limitations inherent in traditional coursework models. Graduates will be prepared for a variety of leadership roles in emergency and protective services, or for teaching roles in higher education.

As a doctoral student in emergency and protective services at Capitol Tech, you’ll enter the program with a research idea and at least a committee chair. After enrollment, you’ll work with your chair and research committee to further develop your research proposal. You’ll then work independently to produce a meaningful body of original research of publishable quality. In the process, you’ll also gain valuable insight into the legal, political, ethical, and social dimensions of your field of study.

This is a research based doctorate PhD degree where you will be assigned an academic supervisor almost immediately to guide you through your program and is based on mostly independent study through the entire program. It typically takes a minimum of two years but typically three years to complete if a student works closely with their assigned academic advisor. Under the guidance of your academic supervisor, you will conduct unique research in your chosen field before submitting a Thesis.

As your PhD progresses, you move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in a process of research that will lead to the production of a high-quality Thesis and/or publications and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field.