Doctor of Philosophy Program in Liberal Arts (International Program)
Program
TH: หลักสูตรปรัชญาดุษฎีบัณฑิต สาขาศิลปศาสตร์ (หลักสูตรนานาชาติ)
EN: Doctor of Philosophy Program in Liberal Arts (International
Program)
Degree
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Liberal Arts)
Ph.D. (Liberal Arts)
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Liberal Arts (International Program) at Walailak University is a transdisciplinary program. This degree provides students with the fundamental skills needed for a wide array of career paths, including creative and critical thinking, analytical skills, independent research, and work skills in a highly dynamic, multicultural and interdisciplinary environment. This is a research program that each student is given the opportunity to expand on his or her skills and educational foundation through a variety of courses unique to the specialty, such as the arts and humanities, social sciences, and area studies. Although the degree is broad, it is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent research in the specific area of study and working closely with the supervisor.
Duration of the program
Three to four years full-time.
- To establish new knowledge and systematically manage the knowledge in liberal arts complying to the international standards.
- To enhance potentials of researchers/scholars/experts/staffs working for private and public sectors, especially the research for development and problem-solving. The graduates must have good communication proficiency and technological savvy.
- To fulfil Walailak University’s intentions to produce the liberal arts graduates who are ethical persons, have high potential in research and social responsibilities.
- To support national strategic plans/ Walailak University’s strategic plan in moving forward to the international leading research university.
- Hold a master’s degree from an accredited program with minimum GPA 3.25 (Plan 1.1)
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with minimum GPA 3.25 (Plan 2.2)
* In case that the applicant graduated from other grading system, please provide the conversion score by University.
- Submit one set of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities as requested in the Graduate College online application./ research paper
- Submit an official score of TOEFL not less than 500 (paper-based), or 173 (computer-based), or 61 (internet-based) or IELTS score of not less than 5.5
** In case that the applicants propose to research about English Education or TESOL – require score of 550 (paper-based), TOEFL 85 (internet-based) or IELTS 6.5 (writing no less than 6)
- Submit not less than two letters of recommendation: one from former research supervisor and former employer/superintendent or former lecturer.
The program operates under a bi–semester system, in which one academic year is divided into two regular semesters. Each semester must consist of no fewer than 15 weeks of study.
- Semester 1: June to October (including semester break)
- Semester 2: November to May (including semester break)
Study Plan
Study Plan | Duration of Study Plan (Academic Years) | Total Credits Required Throughout the Program (Credits) |
Plan 1: A research-oriented study plan focusing on the development of a dissertation that generates new knowledge. | ||
Plan 1.1 (For master degree holders) | 3 | 48 |
Plan 2: A research-oriented study plan emphasizing the production of a high-quality dissertation that contributes to academic and professional advancement, supplemented by additional coursework. | ||
Plan 2.1 (For master degree holders) | 3 | 48 |
Plan 2.2 (For bachelor degree holders) | 4 | 72 |
Plan 1.1
Total Credits Required: 48 credits
- Coursework Component – (No credit counted)
1.1 Core Courses 6* credits
1.2 Major Courses –
1.3 Seminar Courses 6* credits - Dissertation 48 credits
*Note: Courses marked with * are non-credit (S/U grade).
Plan 2.1
Total Credits Required: 48 credits
- Coursework Component 12 credits
1.1 Core Courses 6 credits
1.2 Major Courses 3 credits
1.3 Seminar Courses 3 credits - Dissertation 36 credits
Plan 2.2
Total Credits Required: 72 credits
- Coursework Component 24 credits
1.1 Core Courses 6 credits
1.2 Major Courses 15 credits
1.3 Seminar Courses 3 credits - Dissertation 48 credits
No. | Program Lecturers | Education | ||
Degree | University | Graduation Year | ||
Applied Linguistics and Teaching Language for Foreigners | ||||
1 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Wararat Whanchit | Applied Linguistics (English) | University of Edinburgh, UK | 2003 |
2 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Patcharee Imsri | Linguistics (English) | University of Delaware, USA | 2003 |
3 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Budi Waluyo | Education | Lehigh University, USA | 2017 |
4 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Yassin Mohammed Othman Aba Shaar | English | Aligarh Muslim University, India | 2019 |
5 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Marlon Domago Sipe | Communication (English) | University of the Philippines, Philippines | 2019 |
6 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Mark Bedoya Ulla | Communication (English) | University of the Philippines Open University, Philippines | 2022 |
7 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Pairin Srisinthon | Contemporary and Modern Chinese Literature | Shandong University, China | 2013 |
8 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Pawares Funoi | Applied Linuguistics (Chinese) | Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China | 2017 |
9 | Dr. Katematu Duangmanee | Comparative Education (Chinese) | Southwest University, China | 2010 |
10 | Dr. Sirikhun Phanrangsi | Chinese Philology and Linguistics (Chinese) | Zhejiang University, China | 2020 |
11 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Bhasrvarin Iamsa-ard | Thai Language | Kasetsart University, Thailand | 2022 |
No. |
Program Lecturers | Education | ||
Degree | University | Graduation Year | ||
Asian Culture, History and Society | ||||
1 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Siriporn Somboonburana | Indo-Pacific Studies | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India | 2016 |
2 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Taweeluck Polrachom | Asian Studies | Walailak University, Thailand | 2016 |
3 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Khemmanit Wattanatinnachot | Sociology | Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia | 2020 |
4 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapas Dejpawuttikul | International Studies | Waseda University, Japan | 2022 |
5 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Jirawat Saengthong | Southeast Asian Studies | Naresuan University, Thailand | 2023 |
No. |
Program Lecturers | Education | ||
Degree | University | Graduation Year | ||
Cross-Cultural Communication for Sustainabiltity | ||||
1 | Asst. Prof. Dr. Shubham Pathak | Disaster Management | Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand | 2019 |
2 | Dr. Wu Tianyi | Humanity | Hiroshima University, Japan | 2020 |
3 | Dr. Ma Chengxiang | Sustainable Business Development | Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand | 2023 |
PLAN 1.1 Total Credits Required throughout the Program: 48 credits
Program Duration: 3 academic years
Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-411 | Theory and Research Methodology in Liberal Arts | 3(3-0-6)* | SLA68-412 | Advanced Research Methodology and Statistics in Liberal Arts | 3(2-2-5)* | ||
SLA68–831 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 1 | 3(2-2-5)* | SLA68-832 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 2 | 3(2-2-5)* | ||
SLA68–941 | Thesis | 6 Credits | SLA68–941 | Thesis | 6 Credits | ||
Total | 6 Credits | Total | 6 Credits | ||||
Year 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-941 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68–941 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||
Total | 9 Credits | Total | 9 Credits | ||||
Year 3 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-941 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68–941 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||
Total | 9 Credits | Total | 9 Credits | ||||
PLAN 2.1 Total Credits Required throughout the Program: 48 credits
Program Duration: 3 academic years
Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-413 | Theory and Research Methodology in Liberal Arts | 3(3-0-6) | SLA68-414 | Advanced Research Methodology and Statistics in Liberal Arts | 3(2-2-5) | ||
SLA68-421 | Advanced Academic Reading and Writing | 3(2-2-5) | SLA68-834 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 2 | 1(0-2-1) | ||
SLA68-833 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 1 | 2(1-2-3) | |||||
total | 8 Credits | total | 4 Credits | ||||
Year 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-942 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68-942 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||
total | 9 Credits | total | 9 Credits | ||||
Year 3 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||
SLA68-942 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68-942 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||
total | 9 Credits | total | 9 Credits | ||||
PLAN 2.2 Total Credits Required throughout the Program: 72 credits
Program Duration: 4 academic years
Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||||
SLA68-413 | Theory and Research Methodology in Liberal Arts | 3(3-0-6) | SLA68-414 | Advanced Research Methodology and Statistics in Liberal Arts | 3(2-2-5) | ||||
SLA68-421 | Advanced Academic Reading and Writing | 3(2-2-5) | SLA68-423 | Globalization and Cross-Cultural Communication | 4(3-2-7) | ||||
SLA68-422 | Research Ethics in Liberal Arts | 4(3-2-7) | SLA68-424 | Current Trends in Liberal Arts Research | 4(3-2-7) | ||||
total | 10 Credits | total | 11 Credits | ||||||
Year 2 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||||
SLA68-835 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 1 | 2(1-2-3) | SLA68–836 | Seminar on Liberal Arts 2 | 1(0-2-1) | ||||
SLA68-943 | Thesis | 4 Credits | SLA68–943 | Thesis | 8 Credits | ||||
total | 6 Credits | total | 9 Credits | ||||||
Year 3 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||||
SLA68-943 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68–943 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||||
total | 9 Credits | total | 9 Credits | ||||||
Year 4 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |||||||
SLA68-943 | Thesis | 9 Credits | SLA68–943 | Thesis | 9 Credits | ||||
total | 9 Credits | total | 9 Credits | ||||||
1. Graduation Requirements according to the Walailak University Regulations on Graduate Education (Bi-Semester System) 2023, Section 11, Article 47.1.3 for Doctoral Degree – Plan 1:
- Pass the qualifying examination to become eligible to conduct dissertation research.
- Submit the dissertation proposal.
- Successfully pass the final oral defense in a public session and achieve the intended learning outcomes as specified by the Thai Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. The examination committee, appointed by the Graduate School, will assess based on originality, research initiative, and the student’s depth of understanding of their dissertation.
- The dissertation or a part thereof must be published or at least accepted for publication in at least two international journals index in Scopus; or at least one international journal plus one innovative or creative work that is applicable in a commercial, social, or economic context; or have obtained at least one patent.
In the case of innovation or creative work, the dissertation must be evaluated by at least three external experts in the same or related field and approved by the University Council.
2. Graduation Requirements according to the Walailak University Regulations on Graduate Education (Bi-Semester System) 2023, Section 11, Article 47.1.4 for Doctoral Degree – Plan 2:
- Completion of all required coursework specified in the curriculum.
- Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.
- Pass the qualifying examination to become eligible to conduct dissertation research.
- Submit the dissertation proposal.
- Successfully pass the final oral defense in a public session and achieve the intended learning outcomes by the Thai Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. The examination committee, appointed by the Graduate School, will assess based on originality, research initiative, and the student’s depth of understanding of their dissertation.
- The dissertation or a part thereof must be published or at least accepted for publication in an international journal, or have obtained a patent, or be considered as an innovative or creative work that can be utilized in commercial, social, or economic contexts.
In the case of innovation or creative work, the dissertation must be evaluated by at least three external experts in the same or related field and approved by the University Council.
Admission Qualifications
The program offers two study plans, each with admission qualifications by the announcement of the Higher Education Standards Committee on the Standards for Graduate Programs 2022, the Learning Outcome Standards for Higher Education 2022, and the Regulations of Walailak University on Graduate Education (Bi-semester System) 2023. These qualifications reflect the program’s philosophy, objectives, and intended learning outcomes. The qualifications for each study plan are as follows:
Plan 1.1 and Plan 2.1
- Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or its equivalent, or provide evidence confirming that they are expected to complete a Master’s degree or its equivalent, or be enrolled in the final semester of a Master’s degree program or equivalent in a field related to liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, or other relevant disciplines from an institution recognized by the university.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 at the Master’s level. In cases where applicants have published academic work in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus, consideration will be at the discretion of the program’s graduate committee; and
- Meet the foreign language proficiency requirements as specified by the Graduate School Committee.
- Must not have been dismissed from a graduate program due to academic dishonesty or other disciplinary violations.
Plan 2.2
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or provide evidence confirming that they are expected to complete a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or be enrolled in the final semester of a Bachelor’s degree program or equivalent in a field related to liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, or other relevant disciplines from an institution recognized by the university.
- Have a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.25. In cases where applicants have published academic work in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus, consideration will be at the discretion of the program’s graduate committee.
- Meet the foreign language proficiency requirements as specified by the Graduate School Committee.
- Must not have been dismissed from a graduate program due to academic dishonesty or other disciplinary violations.
Tuition fee and Funding
112,500 Bath/Semester (Thai Students)
150,000 Bath/trimester (International Students)
Specialties and Field of Research
- Applied Linguistics and Teaching Language for Foreigners
- Asian Culture, History and Society
- Cross–Cultural Communication for Sustainability