Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership

Director: Alexander Dawoody, Ph.D.

Program Philosophy

With a strong emphasis on research, this program challenges students to further develop their administrative and leadership roles in the public, non-profit, or corporate organizations. Through a cross-disciplinary approach, students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21^st century by applying their knowledge of ethical administrative and leadership skills to an increasingly interdependent world.

Mission

Consistent with the mission of Marywood University, the Ph.D. program in Administration and Leadership has as its primary goal the mastery of the administrative and leadership competencies necessary to advance the careers of professionals working in business, education, health care, and social services organizations. This mission aspires to engender professionals who pursue their leadership careers with a commitment to expertise, ethics, and empathy in an interconnected world.

Program Goals

Develop a cross-disciplinary understanding of the administrative and leadership roles that reflect the complexity of today’s business, education, health care, and social services organizations.
Examine the ethical issues related to administrative and leadership roles.
Engage in cross-disciplinary scientific inquiry and research to address the complex problems of today’s organizations.
Advanced knowledge of ethical administrative and leadership practice.
Demonstrate competence as a leader and the desire to provoke social change.

A Cross-disciplinary Approach

The Ph.D. program in Administration and Leadership instills in students a cross- disciplinary understanding of ethical considerations related to administration and leadership. The program combines the knowledge and skills of more traditional doctorates, of strong research and instructional skills.

Marywood’s Ph.D. program is unique in its cross-disciplinary focus at the doctoral level. Emphasizing critical, multifaceted analysis of complex problems, it enables students to make creative connections across disciplines, and to learn from the synergy of multiple points of view. Furthermore, a cross-disciplinary program allows for better exploration of the complex problems and issues of the 21^st century.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program are well prepared to provide administrative leader- ship in a variety of settings. The cognitive flexibility and skill developed by learning to view challenges through a cross-disciplinary lens apply readily to areas such as business, education, administration, health care, and social services.

Expert faculty from disciplines across the University are engaged in the Ph.D. program through teaching the courses, serving as dissertation mentors and committee members, and serving as qualifying examination reviewers.

Ph.D. Program Overview

The total number of credits for this program is 60, however up to 12 Master’s level course credits may be applied upon the acceptance of the student into the program and based on the discretion of the Ph.D. Program Director: (1) Law & Public Policy, (2) Finance & Strategic Planning, (3) Qualitative Methodology, and (4) Communication Theory & Organizational Dynamics. These four courses are offered each academic year in several Marywood Master’s programs within the departments of Business, Public Administration, and Education. Students who do not have these 12 transfer credits will be required to take them in year one of the program. The program format is online.

Dependent upon the number of Master’s credits transferred to the program, students can earn their doctoral degree within three years. Because this is an online program, students are required to participate in an extended weekend residency on campus, during the summer session each academic year. Continuous registration each semester is required. Degree completion is expected within five years of program entry.