Gwynedd Mercy University AY2020-2021 Graduate Academic Catalog
Program Description 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 A . B . D . ( 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 A . B . D . 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 A . B . D . 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 with variable credit , ranging from 3 to 6 credit hours .
The option for the A . B . D . requires that a minimum of 27 hours of coursework ( 50 % of the program ) shall be completed at Gwynedd Mercy University .
Admission Requirements
• A . B . D ., 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 shall 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 . ( See rubric on following page ). Portfolios may be compiled in a binder or amassed in a website .
• An introduction to the portfolio whereby the applicant shall reflect on how portfolio contents demonstrate the mastery of program outcomes . This introduction shall show how prior learning maps to the competencies .
• Each applicant ’ s coursework , work experience in the field , grantsmanship , and scholarship will be evaluated independently by two members of the graduate faculty . Currency in the discipline is not just a function of the recency of coursework . It also can be demonstrated by some combination of the following :
• Field experience / positions held relating to educational research ,
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