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Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements for ABD Students

• ABD Candidacy Status: Students must have completed coursework and moved to ABD in their prior program, proof of candidacy is required in application materials.
• Individualized review after admission: The Ph.D. Program Director reviews each student's prior doctoral coursework, research preparation, and dissertation progress before establishing an academic plan.
• Up to 42 transfer credits: Students may transfer up to 42 credits toward the 60-credit Ph.D. in Leadership; transfer is not automatic and depends on the relevance of prior doctoral work.
• Alvernia coursework requirement: Every ABD student must complete at least 6 credits of coursework at Alvernia, in addition to 12 dissertation credits.
• Additional coursework may be required: The Program Director can require further coursework when a student has gaps in research methods, leadership theory, or other areas necessary for dissertation readiness.
• Previous dissertation work may continue: Students can potentially continue a dissertation topic or research project begun at their previous institution, but it must be reviewed and approved at Alvernia.
• Prior proposal approval does not transfer: Approval of a proposal, prospectus, research protocol, or other dissertation work by the previous university does not constitute Alvernia approval.
• Alvernia proposal approval required: After completing required coursework, students must work with an Alvernia dissertation chair and committee to develop and receive formal approval of an Alvernia dissertation proposal before conducting dissertation research.

Dissertation

A Ph.D. program with a dissertation is more than a degree - it's a transformative journey that develops scholars, thought leaders, and problem-solvers. Unlike coursework-only doctorates or master’s degrees, a dissertation nurtures innovative thinking, research proficiency, and the ability to apply theory to real-world leadership challenges. It prepares graduates not just to consume knowledge but to create novel findings from original research. Students present and publish their work and use it to influence change in their fields. At Alvernia, our dissertation process empowers students to produce work that is both academically rigorous and deeply relevant to their professional passions. That’s the hallmark of true doctoral scholarship and the foundation for a strong academic program.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu. 

Job Options

• Institutions of higher education
• Corporations
• Nonprofits
• State/local government
• Tenured college faculty
• VP/dean/associate provost
• Superintendent
• CEO/COO/manager
• Executive director