Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Human Development || Ph.D. in Human Development || Admissions Policies

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Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program In Human Development

 

Program Philosophy

Human beings grow and develop as unique individuals within complex networks of familial, societal, and cultural structures; they grow physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. The study of the processes of human development is at once the most fundamental and the most far-ranging of exercises in which a scholar may engage.

Mission

Consistent with the mission of Marywood University, the Ph.D. program in Human Development has as its primary goal the development and mastery of the professional and leadership skills necessary for meeting human needs. Through a strong interdisciplinary focus, the program emphasizes the complexity of human development.

Students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century, providing unifying leadership in an increasingly interdependent world.

Program Goals

1. Students will demonstrate an interdisciplinary understanding of human behavior that reflects the complexity of human beings from philosophical, physiological, psychological, spiritual, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of underlying interdisciplinary and discipline-specific ethics.
3. Students will demonstrate an ability to engage in interdisciplinary scientific inquiry to address the complex problems of today's society.
4. Students will develop depth of knowledge in their chosen disciplinary focus.
5. Students will demonstrate preparation and competence for leadership related to social change.

 

An Interdisciplinary Approach

The Ph.D. program in Human Development instills in students an interdisciplinary understanding of human development while allowing for depth in a disciplinary specialization. The program combines the knowledge and skills of more traditional doctorates, including strong research and instructional skills, with a balanced interdisciplinary focus.

Marywood's Ph.D. program is unique in its interdisciplinary focus at the doctoral level. Emphasizing critical, multifaceted analysis of complex problems, the interdisciplinary approach enables students to make creative connections across disciplines and to learn from the synergy of multiple points of view. Furthermore, interdisciplinarity allows for better exploration of the complex relationships inherent in the problems and issues of the 21st century.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program are well-prepared to provide leadership in a variety of settings. The cognitive flexibility and skill developed by learning to view challenges through an interdisciplinary lens apply readily to areas such as education, administration, health care, and government agencies.

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

Specialization tracks in education, social work, and health promotion capitalize on the particular strengths of Marywood's faculty.

Program Structure

This 60-credit program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) has interdisciplinary and research courses as its core, to which discipline-focused areas of concentrated specialization are added. Flexible program options enable students to pursue the doctoral degree either full- or part-time and to design a program of studies geared to meet their professional objectives. The program does not require residency. Continuous registration is required. Degree completion is expected within seven years of program entry.

SpecializationTracks

The Educational Administration Specialization Track is recommended for those planning a career in the leadership of educational institutions at the elementary or secondary level or similar academic institutions. It incorporates the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the post-master's Letter of Eligibility for School Superintendents.

The Higher Education Administration Specialization Track is recommended for those who are planning a career in the leadership of higher education institutions or who plan to serve at the college or university level as faculty or as administrators, such as in student affairs. 

The Instructional Leadership Specialization Track is recommended for individuals who plan careers as faculty members in teacher and adult training at the college or university level. It also prepares individuals to direct corporate training and professional development. It incorporates the requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Education post-master's Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certification.

The Health Promotion Specialization Track is recommended for those interested in administration, consultation, and evaluative research in the evolving health care and health promotions environments. Students will develop knowledge, research, and other skills necessary for work opportunities in the implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs.

The Social Work Specialization Track is recommended for those seeking careers within the broad scope of social work practice, such as in human services, administration, policy and program development, or as a faculty member of a school of social work in an accredited college or university.

Curriculum

This 60-credit program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) combines core courses common to all students, including team-taught interdisciplinary and research core courses, with discipline-based areas of concentrated specialization.

The Interdisciplinary Core

(15 credits)

D/HD 1021	Development and Change: Theoretical Foundations	3
D/HD 1031	Social and Economic Dimensions of Human Development	3
D/HD 1041	The Physiological and Psychological Bases of Human Development	3
D/HD 1051	Selected Topics Dissertation Seminar	3
D/HD 1100	Professional Ethics	3

The Research Core

(12 credits)

D/RS 1011	Advanced Statistical Analysis	3
D/RS 1013	Advanced Correlation	3
D/RS 1015	Qualitative Research	3
D/RS 1017	Quantitative Methodology	3

Dissertation (9 credits)

The Specialization Tracks

(24 credits)

Education Administration Specialization

Required Courses
(18 credits)

D/ED 1011	School, Community, and Public Relations	3
D/ED 1012	Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics	3
D/ED 1013	Labor Relations and Negotiations	3
D/ED 1014	Business and Facilities Management	3
D/ED 1200, 1201	Administrative Internship	6

Electives
(6 credits required)

D/ED 1015	Dynamics of Leadership and Change	3
D/ED 1109	Public Policy	3
D/HD 1112	The Grantmanship Process	3
D/HD 1140	Program Evaluation	3
D/HE 1021	Academic Curriculum	3
D/HE 1025	Student Issues in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1109	Law in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1140	Program Evaluation (Learning Outcomes/Assessment)	3

Instructional Leadership Specialization

Required Courses
(12 credits)

D/ED 1005	Models of Teaching: Crossdiscipline Integrating Seminar	3
D/ED 1007	Instructional Design: Theory and Application	3
D/ED 1012	Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics	3
D/ED 1150	Practicum I	3

Electives
(12 credits required)

D/ED 1011	School, Community, and Public Relations	3
D/ED 1013	Labor Relations and Negotiations	3
D/ED 1015	Dynamics of Leadership and Change	3
D/ED 1109	Public Policy	3
D/HD 1112	The Grantmanship Process	3
D/HD 1140	Program Evaluation	3
D/HE 1021	Academic Curriculum	3
D/HE 1025	Student Issues in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1109	Law in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1140	Program Evaluation (Learning Outcomes/Assessment)	3

Higher Education Administration Specialization

Required Courses
(15 credits)

D/HE 1020	History of American Colleges/Universities	3
D/HE 1021	Academic Curriculum	3
D/HE 1030	College Finance and Strategic Planning	3
D/HE 1109	Law in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1202	Internship in Higher Education	3
OR
D/HE 1203	Internship in Higher Education	1.5, 1.5

Electives
(9 credits required)

D/ED 1005	Models of Teaching: Crossdiscipline Integrating Seminar	3
D/ED 1007	Instructional Design: Theory and Application	3
D/ED 1012	Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics	3
D/HD 1112	The Grantmanship Process	3
D/HD 1140	Program Evaluation	3
D/HE 1015	Dynamics of Leadership and Change	3
D/HE 1021	Academic Curriculum	3
D/HE 1025	Student Issues in Higher Education	3
D/HE 1140	Program Evaluation (Learning Outcomes/Assessment)	3

Social Work Specialization

Required Courses
(9 credits)

D/SW 1011	Paradigms of Social Work Practice	3
D/SW 1109	Models of Policy Analysis	3
D/SW 1160	The History of Social Welfare and the Social Work Profession	3

Electives
(15 credits required)

D/HD 1112	The Grantmanship Process	3
D/HD 1140	Program Evaluation	3
D/SW 1007	Social Work Education Curriculum Development and Policy	3
D/SW 1009	Mentored Teaching Experience	3
D/SW 1120	Program Administration	3
D/SW 1130	Planning in Human Services and Program Development	3
D/SW 1150	Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions of Professional Practice	3

Health Promotion Specialization

Required Courses
(15 credits)

D/HP 1101	Scientific and Theoretical Basis of Health Promotion	3
D/HP 1102	Health Promotion Epidemiology	3
D/HP 1103	Management of Health Promotion Programs	3
D/HP 1104	Health Promotion Methods, Material and Delivery	3
D/HP 1105	Health Promotion Economics	3

Electives
(9 credits required)

D/HD 1112	The Grantmanship Process	3
D/HD 1140	Program Evaluation	3
D/HP 1005	Models of Teaching: Crossdiscipline Integrating Seminar	3
D/HP 1049	Sports Nutrition	3
D/HP 1066	Independent Study	3
D/HP 1077	Nutrition and Exercise in Chronic Disease	3
D/HP 1078	Issues in Geriatric Care	3
D/HP 1110	Psychosocial Influences and the Biological Basis of Disease	3
D/HP 1111	Alternative Medicine	3
D/HP 1112	Health Promotion Seminar	3

 

Qualifying Experience

Upon successful completion of 30 credits in the program (including D/HD 1021, D/HD 1031, D/HD 1041, and D/HD 1100), students complete a Qualifying Examination, assessing both written and oral competency. The written component requires an integrative literature review, reflecting an interdisciplinary response to a question of the student's choice. This written work of approximately 20 pages is reviewed blindly by three university faculty. If the paper is deemed to be satisfactory, students then present their papers orally before the review committee and interested members of the University community. Successful completion qualifies the student for Ph.D. candidacy.

Transfer of Credits

The core interdisciplinary courses will not be waived in any case. Normally, no more than six credits will be accepted as transfer credits. In special cases, where students have successfully completed comparable advanced level graduate courses, a greater number of credits may be transferred. Academic rigor and curricular parallels of transferable graduate level courses will be determined by the specialty area faculty. Such a determination will be made after the student has matriculated in the Ph.D. program.

Standards for Continuation

A cumulative QPA of 3.25 is the minimum for continuation in the program. Students who fail to maintain a 3.25 average in their coursework will be given one semester to re-establish the required 3.25 average. A minimum grade of B- is required for all coursework. Continuous registration is required. Students must successfully complete their Qualifying Experience prior to registration for dissertation credits. Professional conduct is expected at all times.

Time Limitation Policy

All work must be completed within seven years of program entry. Extensions of the terminal date are considered only when there is substantial evidence that the student has made regular and consistent progress toward completion of degree requirements. Extensions will be granted only if the student has been granted a leave of absence for medical or other acceptable reasons. Written application for extension, with full documentation of serious cause, must be made to the Dean of the Reap College of Education and Human Development. This period of time is rarely extended. Any extension must have the approval of both the Program Director and the Dean.

Admission

Admission to the Ph.D. program in Human Development is competitive. The faculty are seeking a diverse student body which manifests superior academic achievement, a sensitivity to interdisciplinary inquiry, and evidence of the potential for leadership in their respective careers.Admission requirements include:

1. A master's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in a field related to the selected specialization track; an M.S.W. is required for the Social Work specialization track, as well as an interest in social justice.
2. Recent coursework in Research Methodology and Statistics (may be graduate or undergraduate).
3. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
4. Three letters of recommendation from people (at least two from instructors or current supervisors) who can address in depth the academic achievement and professional accomplishments of the applicant.
5. A reflective essay of approximately 1000 words, addressing the personal and/or professional goals which would be met through participation in this interdisciplinary program.
6. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test scores. Official scores from exams taken within the past five years may be submitted.
7. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, if an international student.
8. Personal interview (by invitation).

Human Development Program Courses