Gwynedd Mercy University ( v 8-11-21 )
AY2021-2022 Graduate Academic Catalog
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 for All Leadership Options : See Program Handbook for course of study and suggested curriculum sequence for each concentration .
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 education 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 : Through this option , students ’ prior learning 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 includes those with deep experience in education through coursework , scholarship or professional experience . This option is strictly limited to the ABD in education . 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 . Through the Prior Learning Assessment process , specified competencies not evidenced may 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 in education . 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 evidence of competitive grant awards . Portfolios may be compiled electronically .
• Each applicant ’ s coursework , work experience in the field , grantsmanship , and scholarship will be evaluated independently by the graduate faculty . Currency in the discipline is more than just a function of the recency of coursework . It may also be demonstrated by some combination of
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