A Nontraditional PhD Program in a Traditional World: A Story of Blended Strategies and Students

PhD programs in the United States are increasingly marked by the rising influence of market-oriented dynamics. As a case in point, one of the primary objectives of the new PhD program offered at the University of South Dakota is to deliver a doctoral program through a flexible-or hybrid-format that is accessible to nontraditional as well as traditional students. Currently, no such PhD program in political science exists in the country, but the geography and demographics of South Dakota have encouraged creativity and innovation. This article situates the USD program in the current context of nontraditional doctoral training in the United States and provides a description of the design of USD's PhD program and student and faculty experiences in the implementation of the program.