Fulfill a lifelong goal. Make an original contribution. Gain the confidence and credentials to teach, publish, consult, or lead. Alvernia University's PhD in Leadership program is designed to help you pursue your passions.
In Alvernia University's Doctor of Philosophy program, you will acquire advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, along with leadership skills that will position you as an expert in your field. Although our doctoral program is designed to develop accomplished scholar-practitioners, there are some distinct differences in the three area of concentrations of the program. Students are forever changed by their Alvernia University doctoral program experience.
With three semesters a year, our Ph.D. program lets you earn your degree at a faster pace than traditional programs. To help fit a student's busy lifestyle, classes meet once a week per semester. Classes meet on Monday night during the first year, and then rotate to Tuesday for the second year, and Wednesday for the third year (5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
All students are admitted for the doctoral program beginning end of August. It is expected that students will complete their program in five to five-and -a-half years with a limit of seven years. Students typically spend approximately two-and-a-half to three years on course work, and another two to two-and-a-half years on their dissertation.
View the curriculum required for this degree, read about the Ph.D. program in our Doctor of Philosophy Brochure (PDF), learn more about our admission process, review our Ph.D. student handbook, or request more information.
Carrie Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English
Communications and CIS
“The interdisciplinary nature of the Ph.D. Program in Leadership is a challenging undertaking that yields intellectually rewarding experiences for students and faculty alike. Emerging scholars with practical leadership experience are given the opportunity to apply their skills in a research-rich environment to advance their organizations and communities.”
Student Profile
Sean Cullen, Ph.D. Student, MALS ’11
“Alvernia's Ph.D. program reflects how diverse the field of leadership truly is. The general courses bring together educators, business people and community leaders to discuss contemporary topics in a way that is informative and approachable. Faculty mentors have helped to encourage my development professionally and personally.”