DOCTORAL RESOURCES
Your Doctoral
Journey
Milestones, timing
and deliverables.
From professional experience
to an approved doctoral contribution.
PhD & DSS · Professional doctorates in management
A clear route into doctoral research.
Doctoral study should not feel like a black box. Before you begin, you should understand the work ahead, the deliverables you will develop and the academic decisions that allow you to progress. This guide connects those expectations to an indicative planning framework.
At Monarch Switzerland, you begin developing as a researcher from the start. Research preparation, reading and proposal development lay the foundations for the principal investigation. You do not need to arrive with a fully resolved research design.
| Pathway | Standard duration | Dissertation structure |
|---|---|---|
| PhD and Doctor of Social Science (DSS) | 36 months | Six chapters |
| Monarch professional doctorates in management (DBA, DOL, DANM) | 24 months | Four chapters |
One institution. Distinct research pathways.
This resource supports doctoral study across Monarch Global Research Institute and Monarch Business School. The professional-doctorate route described here concerns the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Leadership (DOL) and Doctor of Applied Neuroscience in Management (DANM). The Doctor of Management and MMI Doctor of Professional Studies have different designs and should be considered through their own program guidance.
The two pathways share preparation, supervision and academic review, but differ in the organisation and emphasis of the final manuscript. The DSS follows the six-chapter route described alongside the PhD.
PhD & DSS: the journey at a glance.
36 months is a typical planning illustration, not a guaranteed completion date. The academic milestones remain the reference points when an individual journey takes longer.
- First 6-8 monthsPrepare & propose
Research Skills 1 and 2; proposal development and approval.
- Following approvalDevelop & investigate
Deepen the literature, justify the methodology and develop evidence.
- Toward month 36Integrate & defend
Complete six chapters, respond to review, defend and make required corrections.
Start → Approved proposal → Research development → Completion and defence
Indicative sequence, not to scale. Progress depends on approved milestones.
Extended Progression
Beyond the 36-month illustration, the same stages and deliverables continue until the required standard is met. A candidate may need more time to develop academic writing, respond to feedback, complete the inquiry or refine the final manuscript. Extension is additional time for the same academic work, not an alternative set of requirements.
Plan the next deliverable with your academic contacts and revise targets when needed. Any extension remains subject to Monarch's applicable registration and tuition arrangements; this illustration does not imply unlimited or cost-free continuation.
The 36-month research pathway.
The 36-month standard provides a typical, illustrative framework for planning PhD and DSS research. The phases below connect work with deliverables; they are not automatic promotion dates or fixed chapter deadlines.
| Planning period | Main work | Visible deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1: establish the foundations | Research Skills 1 and 2; Research Proposal Perfecting; preliminary and then deeper literature research. Preparation and proposal development typically take 6-8 months. Following approval, develop the investigation and initial manuscript. | Completed preparation work; approved proposal; developing introduction and literature-based argument. |
| Year 2: develop the investigation | Deepen the literature critique; develop and justify methodology; undertake the approved investigation and analyse appropriate evidence. Draft and revise the dissertation as the research develops. | Substantive chapter drafts; a defensible methodological account; organised evidence and emerging findings. |
| Year 3: integrate and defend | Complete the analysis and model synthesis; articulate the contribution, conclusions and further studies; integrate the manuscript and respond to academic review; prepare for defence. | Complete six-chapter dissertation; revised manuscript; defence presentation and responses; any required final corrections. |
Reading and writing continue throughout
Literature research is not confined to a single preliminary stage. Reading, analysis, writing and revision inform one another throughout the doctorate. Chapters may be developed iteratively rather than written once in numerical order.
An extended PhD or DSS journey follows the same sequence and six-chapter requirements over a longer period. It is a stretched version of this indicative progression, not a different academic route. Time is added where further development is needed; not every phase necessarily lengthens equally.
Six chapters. One coherent contribution.
Monarch’s PhD and DSS programs follow a traditional six-chapter dissertation structure, reflecting the established progression from research introduction and literature review through methodology, findings, synthesis and conclusions.
| Chapter | Purpose and deliverable |
|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Establish the research problem, question, context, significance and scope. Explain the purpose and direction of the study. |
| 2. Literature Review & Critique | Critically examine relevant scholarship, identify tensions or gaps and establish the theoretical basis for the investigation. |
| 3. Methodology | Explain and justify the research design, evidence selection, methods of analysis and relevant ethical considerations. |
| 4. Data Presentation | Present and organise the evidence and findings in a form appropriate to the approved research design. |
| 5. Model Synthesis | Integrate findings and theory into a coherent synthesis. Explain the original contribution and its implications. |
| 6. Conclusion & Further Studies | Answer the research question, identify limitations and implications, and propose appropriate directions for further inquiry. |
A completed chapter is more than a quantity of pages. It must perform its role in the argument and withstand academic feedback. Drafting, reviewing and rewriting are normal parts of developing a doctoral contribution.
Professional doctorates: the journey at a glance.
24 months is a typical planning illustration, not a guaranteed completion date. The academic milestones remain the reference points when an individual journey takes longer.
- First 6-8 monthsPrepare & propose
Research Skills 1 and 2; proposal development and approval.
- Following approvalInquire & synthesise
Develop the problem and literature; explain methodology at the start of Synthesis.
- Toward month 24Recommend & defend
Complete four chapters, respond to review, defend and make required corrections.
Start → Approved proposal → Research development → Completion and defence
Indicative sequence, not to scale. Progress depends on approved milestones.
Extended Progression
Beyond the 24-month illustration, the same stages and deliverables continue until the required standard is met. A candidate may need more time to develop academic writing, respond to feedback, complete the inquiry or refine the final manuscript. Extension is additional time for the same academic work, not an alternative set of requirements.
Plan the next deliverable with your academic contacts and revise targets when needed. Any extension remains subject to Monarch's applicable registration and tuition arrangements; this illustration does not imply unlimited or cost-free continuation.
The 24-month professional pathway.
The 24-month standard provides a typical, illustrative framework for the DBA, DOL and DANM. These professional doctorates organise advanced inquiry around a professional problem, supporting literature, synthesis and defensible recommendations.
| Planning period | Main work | Visible deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Opening phase: first 6-8 months | Research Skills 1 and 2, preliminary reading and Research Proposal Perfecting. Refine the professional problem and proposed approach. | Required preparation submissions and an academically approved research proposal. |
| Following approval: develop the inquiry | Develop the Problem Statement and Supporting Literature. Establish the methodology at the beginning of Synthesis; select and analyse appropriate evidence and develop the argument. | Four-chapter manuscript in development, including a clear methodological account and substantive synthesis. |
| Later phase: work toward the 24-month standard | Complete Recommendations and Conclusion; integrate and refine the manuscript; respond to review and prepare to present and defend the work. | Complete professional-doctorate manuscript, defence preparation and any required final corrections. |
A focused structure
The four chapters must form a coherent doctoral argument. The professional problem, literature, methodology, synthesis and recommendations must connect. Recommendations should follow from the inquiry rather than simply restate the candidate’s existing professional opinions.
An extended professional doctorate follows the same progression and four-chapter requirements over a longer period. It is a stretched version of the indicative 24-month route, with additional time where milestones require further work. The stages need not lengthen equally, and there are no universal month-by-month chapter deadlines.
From a professional problem to grounded recommendations.
The Monarch Professional Doctorate Structure is a four-chapter framework specifically designed for professional doctorates in management. It gives professional inquiry a clear progression without removing methodological accountability.
| Chapter | Purpose and deliverable |
|---|---|
| 1. Problem Statement | Define the professional or managerial problem, its context, scope and significance, and the objectives of the inquiry. |
| 2. Supporting Literature | Critically examine scholarship relevant to the problem. Establish the concepts and perspectives that will inform the analysis. |
| 3. Synthesis | Begin with the methodology: explain the approach, evidence selection and analysis. Then bring the evidence and literature together to develop a defensible synthesis of the problem. |
| 4. Recommendations and Conclusion | Present recommendations grounded in the synthesis, acknowledge limitations and explain the contribution to professional understanding or practice. |
The connection between the chapters matters
The problem directs the literature; the methodology explains the inquiry; the synthesis develops the reasoning; and the recommendations follow from that reasoning. Professional experience provides valuable context, but does not replace scholarly engagement or a justified approach.
Prepare, frame and gain approval.
The first substantial milestone is an academically approved research proposal. Preparation is part of the doctoral journey, not a delay before the real work begins.
Research Skills 1 and Research Skills 2
Build the foundations for scholarly reading, academic writing and research design. Complete the required module work, apply feedback and develop the ability to support claims with appropriate scholarship. Begin reading within your proposed field while developing these skills.
Research Proposal Perfecting
Refine the problem, research question, relevant literature and proposed approach under faculty guidance. Establish what you intend to investigate, why it matters, how you will examine it and whether the project is feasible.
| What you do | What you produce | Progression milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Read, write, revise and complete research-skills preparation | Required module submissions and revised academic work | Satisfactory completion of the preparation requirements |
| Develop and refine a feasible research proposal | A coherent proposal responding to academic feedback | Formal proposal approval before the principal research phase |
Preliminary reading and question development begin early. At Monarch, the research proposal is a roadmap rather than a fixed contract. As the research progresses and the candidate gains greater clarity, the inquiry may develop beyond the initial proposal. Variations should be discussed through academic guidance and reflected in the research design; any required approvals or ethical permissions must be secured before the relevant activity.
A clear method. A connected research community.
Monarch combines a structured research framework with academic exchange to help candidates turn professional experience into a sustained doctoral inquiry.
The Monarch Standard Research Method (MSRM)
For business and management research, the MSRM brings together Literature Triangulation, Methodological Triangulation and the Monarch Ten-Step Standard Research Process. It gives candidates an established framework for organising the inquiry, connecting scholarship and evidence, and understanding how the stages fit together.
This reduces unnecessary uncertainty about how to proceed, leaving more attention for the research problem, critical reasoning and contribution. The framework supports focus and continuity without replacing the candidate's judgement or responsibility to justify the approach used.
Doctoral workshops: opportunities to regain focus
Monarch doctoral workshops offer opportunities to present proposals, developing arguments or dissertation chapters and discuss them with faculty and fellow candidates. Feedback can help clarify the next priority, test assumptions and identify work that needs attention. Preparing a presentation can also provide a useful target within the candidate's study plan.
Scholarly exchange and peer connection can renew motivation and reduce the isolation sometimes associated with independent research. Use workshop insights to revisit your milestone plan and agree practical next steps through academic guidance.
A Structured Journey. A Flexible Pace.
Professional responsibilities change throughout a doctoral journey. Monarch’s flexible model allows you to adjust your study cadence, take breaks between tasks and return to your research as professional and personal commitments permit.
Progress is measured through the achievement of academic milestones rather than a fixed calendar. The indicative 24- and 36-month durations provide planning frameworks, while each candidate’s journey develops at their own pace.
Your tuition payment schedule continues throughout your registration, including periods when you take a break from research. This allows you to plan your financial commitment alongside a study rhythm that responds to your professional life.
Progress through work, feedback and revision.
A doctorate can be integrated with professional life, but it needs protected study time and sustained engagement. Flexibility in location does not remove the responsibility to produce work that meets academic requirements.
Your responsibilities
Read the academic instructions carefully; plan regular reading and writing; submit the required work; respond constructively to feedback; keep accurate sources and research records; and communicate early when difficulties affect progress.
The role of supervision
Faculty guidance helps you refine the question, develop the approach and improve the manuscript. Independent research does not mean academic isolation. You remain responsible for the research and writing, while supervision and academic review help you recognise what needs further development.
Plan in deliverables, not only months
Break the next milestone into practical tasks: readings to complete, an argument to draft, feedback to address or evidence to analyse. Agree priorities with your academic contacts and leave room for revision. Professional experience alone does not ensure rapid completion.
Review, defence and final requirements
Prepare to explain your research problem, methodology, findings or synthesis, contribution and limitations. The doctoral defence can be completed online, without relocation or mandatory campus attendance. An in-person defence may be selected when offered by Monarch. Complete any corrections and remaining academic requirements identified through examination.
You bring the experience. We develop the researcher.
A realistic plan starts with understanding both the opportunity and the commitment. You do not need every answer before admission, but you should be ready to develop your skills, engage with feedback and sustain a substantial piece of independent inquiry.
Before you begin
- Identify the pathway that fits the contribution you want to make.
- Consider how you will protect regular reading and writing time alongside your professional commitments.
- Be ready to strengthen academic writing and revise your work.
- Discuss your research interests and preparation with Monarch.
- Use approved milestones, not the passage of time alone, to understand progress.
- Commit to connecting with fellow candidates and finding study buddies with whom you can exchange encouragement and support throughout your program.
This is an applicant-facing planning guide, not a replacement for program instructions, assessment criteria or individual academic guidance. Indicative timings assume appropriate preparation and sustained engagement. Completion depends on satisfying the academic requirements.