Lietuvos kūno kultūros akademija

DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES

Doctoral studies are offered in the following scientific areas:

· Biomedical Sciences: Physiology

· Social Sciences: Physical Education, Motor Learning and Sport

The duration of doctoral studies is 4 years.

Each doctoral program consists of at least 4 study subjects, an original scientific research project, and writing and defence of doctoral dissertation. The content of each study subject is approved by the Doctoral Commission of a given study programme.

The doctoral students in biomedical sciences (physiology) are required to complete the following obligatory courses:

Cell Biochemistry and Physiology

System Theory

The doctoral students in social sciences (physical education, motor learning and sport) are required to complete the following obligatory courses:

Educational Philosophy and Methodology

System Theory

Not less than 20 credits (30 ECTS credits) have to be earned by the doctoral students during the study stage.

The implementation of doctoral study programmes and the conferral of scientific degrees are defined in Reguliation for Doctoral Studies at LAPE.

If the doctoral dissertation has been prepared externally (apart from the doctoral study programme), the candidate can be awarded the doctoral degree if he or she presents the dissertation for external public defence.

Doctoral students can submit their dissertation for public defence only after they have successfully passed all the examinations and published the main research findings in at least two articles in peer-reviewed journals.

The completed doctoral dissertation is approved by the respective department or laboratory and, upon approval, is submitted to the Doctoral Commission of the given area of research that makes its decision on the permission to defend the dissertation.

The dissertation is defended in a public meeting of the Doctoral Board of the given area of research. Candidates for the Doctoral Board are proposed by the Doctoral Commission and its composition is approved the rector.

The Doctoral Board is composed of five scientists from the relevant area of research who meet eligibility requirements for the position of Professor or Senior Research Fellow. At least two members of the Board should not be affiliated with the student’s home university.

The Doctor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences or the Doctor’s degree in Social Sciences shall be conferred and a doctoral degree diploma shall be issued to doctoral students who have successfully completed their doctoral study programme and defended the dissertation.

Over the last 10 years, 41 dissertations in the biomedical sciences and 32 dissertations in the social sciences have been defended.