Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 183
When the student has met all of the above requirements, the Program Director shall submit a written statement to the Dean attesting that the student has done so and is eligible to graduate. The student must formally apply for graduation with the Office of the Registrar. At graduation, a Doctoral Hood is conferred, pursuant to centuries-old tradition.
Course of Study and Curriculum Sequence: See Program Handbook for course of study and suggested curriculum sequence.
Option for the All But Dissertation( ABD), Doctoral Candidate, or Advanced to Doctoral Candidacy Student
Overview: This option, which utilizes a structured and rigorous Prior Learning Assessment( PLA) process involving comprehensive portfolio assessments of the level, quality and quantity of student competencies mastered through prior coursework, experiential learning, and scholarship, may permit a doctoral student to provide evidence of learning equivalent for up to 27 credit hours in a 54-credit hour doctoral program. This option is available only to applicants who have demonstrated competence by satisfactorily completing all coursework in a doctoral program in any discipline at an accredited college or university but have not completed the dissertation. For such students, typically designated as ABD( All But Dissertation) or Advanced to Doctoral Candidacy, this option may be a viable alternative for doctoral degree completion.
Eligibility— ABD in Any Academic Discipline: Through this option, the prior learning of students who are ABD in any academic discipline will be assessed through a two-part process. First, the student’ s application materials will undergo a preliminary assessment to determine if the ABD demonstrates currency through prior coursework, work experience, and scholarship sufficient to warrant a more extensive review of prior learning. A rubric will be utilized by a team of two faculty members for that review.
The most likely profile of the prospective student is the practitioner-scholar with deep knowledge as evidenced by coursework, scholarship, or professional experience.
Applicants who meet the first- level currency assessment shall submit a more detailed portfolio; whereby prior learning experiences are matched to learning objectives of each course in the program. Competency requirements will be considered met when prior learning experience demonstrates strong evidence of course-level learning objective mastery. The Prior Learning Assessment process may determine that specified competencies not evidenced be mastered through an individualized practicum course, EDU 838, with variable credit, ranging from 3 to 6 credit hours.
The option for the ABD requires that a minimum of 27 hours of coursework( 50 % of the program) shall be completed at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Admission Requirements:
• ABD, Advanced to Doctoral Candidacy in education, or equivalent documented academic status from a regionally accredited institution.
• A portfolio for Prior Learning Assessment that demonstrates currency in the applicant’ s discipline and / or leadership. This portfolio may include evidence of currency of prior coursework, including such documents as transcripts of coursework, work experience in the field, letters, scholarship, certificates, work samples, descriptions of work experiences, and