Doctor of Philosophy Program in Quality of Life
Development for Persons with Disabilities
(Revised Program 2024)
Name of Degree
Full Name: Doctor of Philosophy (Quality of Life Development for Persons with Disabilities)
Abbreviation: Ph.D. (Quality of Life Development for Persons with Disabilities)
Philosophy of the Program
The Program aims to develop graduates with advanced knowledge and the ability to integrate the social and medical disability models, along with other related models and disciplines. It is designed to foster the creation of innovations and new knowledge, with a vision to lead change and enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities, grounded in human dignity, equality, social justice, empowerment, and civil rights. The Program also places strong emphasis on adherence to professional and research ethics.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of the program, graduates will possess the following characteristics according to the graduate degree qualification standards:
1. Ethics and Professionalism: Graduates demonstrate integrity, adhere to ethical principles, respect rules and professional codes of conduct, and uphold academic and professional standards, while recognizing equity and the human dignity of persons with disabilities in all their diversity.
2. Knowledge and Theory: Graduates will possess in-depth knowledge, be able to explain relevant and contemporary theoretical concepts, and effectively address issues related to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.”
3.Analysis and Application: Graduates will be able to analyze, compare, synthesize, apply, and integrate knowledge to design and implement knowledge-management strategies related to social, medical, and other disability models and disciplines. They will be capable of generating new knowledge through research and innovation, and of applying this knowledge to drive change aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
4. Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility: Graduates will be able to build effective interpersonal relationships, demonstrate responsibility, collaborate productively with others, and exhibit appropriate leadership and followership skills.
5. Technology and Communication Skills: Graduates will be able to apply relevant information technology, mathematics, and statistics, and employ communication skills effectively and appropriately.
Program–level Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct, uphold professional codes of practice and academic standards, and act with full regard for the equality and dignity of persons with disabilities in all their diversity.
2. Explain relevant and contemporary theoretical concepts related to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities accurately and appropriately.
3. Analyze, compare, synthesize, apply, and integrate knowledge to design and implement knowledge-management strategies related to social and medical disability models, as well as other relevant disability models and disciplines.
4. Create new knowledge through research and innovation, and apply this knowledge to drive meaningful change in improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
5. Demonstrate interpersonal skills, responsibility, and teamwork, while exhibiting appropriate leadership and followership.
6. Apply information technology, mathematics, statistics, and communication skills accurately and appropriately.
Course Schedule
Saturday - Sunday and public holidays
- - Semester 1 August - December
- - Semester 2 January - May
Admission Requirements
1. Graduates who have completed the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, Master of Social Work, and all other disciplines from higher education institutions accredited by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.
2. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.50
3. Have English test score that meets the requirement for English proficiency established by the graduate school of Mahidol University.
4. Applicants must have at least 1 year of work experience related to persons with disabilities, or have at least one research paper or academic work related to disabilities, or have completed the Master of Arts program in Quality of Life Development for Persons with Disabilities or the Master of Arts program in Rehabilitation Science for Persons with Disabilities.
5. For international applicants, you must meet the minimum standard of Thai language proficiency for foreign students seeking to study in Thai-language graduate programs at Mahidol University.
6. Applicants who do not meet the qualifications specified in points 2 to 5 may be considered for admission based on the discretion of the curriculum committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Career After Graduation
1. Academic expert in quality of life development of persons with disabilities.
2. Researcher in the field of quality of life of persons with disabilities.
3. Consultant in the field of quality of life of persons with disabilities.
4. Educational staff working in areas related to the development of the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
5. Disability rights advocates and executives working with disability organizations at both national and international levels.
Requirements for graduation
1. The student must complete their studies according to the prescribed study plan.
2. The student must complete courses according to the curriculum structure, which includes at least 12 credits of coursework and 36 credits for the dissertation, totaling a minimum of 48 credits for the entire program.
3. The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 throughout the program.
4. The student must pass the English language proficiency exam according to the Graduate School’s requirements of Mahidol University.
5. The student must pass the Qualifying Examination.
6. The student must participate in skill development activities related to work and social life, meeting the Graduate School’s requirements of Mahidol University.
7. The student must submit a dissertation and pass the final oral defense, conducted by a committee appointed by the Graduate School. The defense will be an open system, allowing interested parties to attend.
8. The student's dissertation or part of the dissertation must be published or at least accepted for publication in a high-quality international journal, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Higher Education Commission on academic journals for publishing scholarly work and the Graduate School’s announcements.