The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is 60 credits. Alvernia University's Doctor of Philosophy has a common leadership core, research core and dissertation. In addition, there are three areas of concentration including: Corporate Leadership, Community Leadership, and Educational Leadership.

The Ph.D. faculty uses various course formats to help you learn, including case studies, lecture/discussion, group projects and simulation exercises to ensure what you gain in one course will reinforce and build on what you learn in others.

Course Requirements - 60 Credits

Leadership Core (18 credits)

PHD 706: Leadership: Advanced Systems Theory and Research
PHD 709: Organizational Analysis: Culture, Theory and Change Strategies
PHD 711: Moral and Ethical Foundations for Decision Making
PHD 724: Theories in Organizational Structure and Strategic Leadership
PHD 725: Leadership: Diversity and Social Justice in Complex and Global Organizations
PHD 801: Negotiations and Conflict Resolution for Contemporary Leaders

 

Research Core (18 credits)

PHD 701: Research Colloquium (6 credits)
PHD 704: Quantitative Research: Design & Analysis
PHD 710: Qualitative Research: Design & Analysis
PHD 850: Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research

Select one of the following three advanced research courses as appropriate:
PHD 851: Instrument Design and Analysis
PHD 853: Advanced Quantitative Research: Design & Analysis
PHD 855: Advanced Qualitative Research: Design & Analysis

 

Dissertation (12 credits)

 

Areas of concentrations: Corporate, Community, and Educational Leadership (12 Credits)

Elective courses for Corporate Leadership Concentration:

PHD 727: Developing Human Resources in Organizations
PHD 803: Leadership and Spirituality
PHD 812: Leadership and Communication Theories
PHD 815: Economic Development of Organizations
PHD 821: Organizational Policy and Finance
PHD 828: U.S. Presidents as Leaders
PHD 860: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
PHD 870: Leadership for Sustainability

 

Elective courses for Community Leadership Concentration:

PHD 727: Developing Human Resources in Organizations
PHD 805: Development and Evaluation of Organizational Policies and Programs
PHD 815: Economic Development of Organizations
PHD 818: Federal, State and Local Government Relations
PHD 821: Organizational Policy and Finance
PHD 828: U.S. Presidents as Leaders
PHD 860: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
PHD 870: Leadership for Sustainability

 

Elective courses for Educational Leadership Concentration:

PHD 727: Developing Human Resources in Organizations
PHD 731: Advanced Supervision and Leadership Theory
PHD 807: Curriculum, Culture and Instructional Leadership
PHD 821: Organizational Policy and Finance
PHD 825: Educational Policy and Leadership
PHD 830: Current Issues in Education
PHD 860: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
PHD 870: Leadership for Sustainability



Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility Certification
Four of the courses in the educational leadership track could apply to our Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility Certification program. With the addition of one course, the Superintendent’s Internship, you could obtain this certification in addition to your degree.