Strategic Leadership & Administrative Studies

Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies

Marywood's Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies (SLAS) helps students to:

Develop an understanding of administrative and leadership roles that reflect the complexity of today's business, education, health care, and social services organizations.
Examine ethical issues related to administrative and leadership.
Engage in interdisciplinary scientific inquiry to address the complex problems of today's organizations.
Develop in‐depth knowledge of administrative and leadership roles.
Demonstrate competence as a leader and a desire to provoke social change.

Accreditations

Fully Accredited

Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE).

ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000

About The Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies Department

The Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies Mission

Consistent with the mission of Marywood University, the Ph.D. program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies (SLAS) has as its primary goal the mastery of the administrative and leadership skills necessary for professionals working in business, education, health care, and social services. This mission aspires to engender professionals who pursue their leadership careers with a commitment to expertise, ethics, and empathy in an interconnected world.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to select research topics and craft problem statements to write publishable-quality research papers based on answering related research questions, empirical data presentations and analysis and integrated review of the current literature, along with sound policy/ programing recommendations communicable to diverse audiences. This includes successfully writing sole-authored Qualifying Papers that examine emerging issues in administration and leadership and passing blind reviews by a panel of 3 faculty.
Students will be able to evaluate programs using virtual learning models occurring in public, non-profit, and private organizations.
Students will be able to discern distinctive characteristics in leadership and administrative studies through an in-depth engagement in evident-based research.
Students will be able recognizing changes and innovation in organizational settings through the lens of dynamic ethical leadership, diversity, equity, and applied administrative theories.
Students will be able to complete a workshop/seminar in dissertation writing to help them write and successfully defend their dissertations.
Students will be able to submit their researches to peer-review journals for publication.

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies Faculty

Teaching Faculty

Dr. Stanley Kania

Dr. Phil Jenkins

Dr. Christina Brundage

Dr. Lia Palimiter

Dr. Amy Paciej-Woodruff

Dr. Deborah Hokien

Dr. Matthew Caputo

Dr. Caroline Millen

Selected Dissertation Faculty

(Dissertation Committee Chairs, Committee Members, Dissertation Readers)

Dr. Jennifer Barna	Dr. Stanley Kania	Dr. Karen Rich
Dr. Helen Battisti	Dr. Diane Keller	Dr. Patrick Seffrin
Dr. Joe Behun	Sister Angela Kim	Dr. Robert Shaw
Dr. Marie Bonavoglia	Dr. Monica Law	Dr. Adam Shiprintzen
Dr. Tammy Brown	Dr. Douglas Lawrence	Dr. Sunny Sinha
Dr. Christina Brundage	Dr. Alan Levine	Dr. Chris Speicher
Dr. Stephen Burke	Dr. Lloyd Lyter	Dr. Kielty Turner
Dr. Matthew Caputo	Dr. Lia Palmiter	Dr. Alex Vari
Dr. Arthur Comstock	Sister Joan McCusker	Dr. Bruce Wisenburn
Dr. Deborah Hokien	Dr. Caroline Millen	Dr. Amy Paciej-Woodruff
Dr. Lynn Hutchings	Dr. Tracie Pasold	Dr. Frances Zauhar
Dr. Phil Jenkins	Dr. LoriAnn Pajalich	Dr. Renee Zehel
Dr. Mona Griffer	Dr. Vijay Ramchandra	Dr. Mary Ann Zimmer

Facilities & Technology

Immaculata Hall

Study Spaces

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS

How old is the Ph.D. program? The program was established in 1996.

Is there a time limit to complete the program? Yes. You must complete the program in 7 years. With the approval of the Program Director, a one-year extension can be added during extraordinary circumstances.

How many students are in the programs? 100+

How diverse is the program? Our program is wonderfully diverse.

Can I study part time? Yes.

Can I pursue the program if I work full time? Yes.

How many courses do students take each semester? Most of our students work full time. Thus, they enroll in one or two classes each semester. However, depending on your work schedule, you can take more than two courses per semester.

How long does it take to complete the program? Most students are able to finish the program in 3-4 years.

Do I need to take courses continuously? Yes. However, during extraordinary circumstances, and with the approval of the Program’s Director, you can take one semester off.

What kinds of jobs do people get after their Ph.D.? Our graduates work in all types of governmental, nonprofit, and corporate settings. Many of our graduates joined academia and are teaching at various institutions. Others work as administrators, managers, executives, or directors.

Is there a student honorary award? Yes. The program awards an outstanding student each year at Commencement with the McGowan Medal.

Can I take classes in the program before I’ve been accepted? Students interested in taking courses offered by the program before they have been formally accepted may do so, provided they have applied for admission to Marywood University.

Which professors can I work with? Each course is taught by an instructor. See the list of teaching faculty under the faculty tab on this web page.

Who will be my advisor? The Program’s Director.

Is there a list of dissertation faculty to choose from for my dissertation committee? Yes. You can see the list of dissertation faculty under the faculty tab of this web page.

What types of career advice will the University offer me? Marywood University’s Career Development Office prepares graduates for careers at academic institutions, in think tanks, research firms, and research units of public, quasi-public and private organizations, as well as for other positions with substantial responsibilities for the supervision and administration of research.

What other types of academic services does the University offer? Marywood University helps with writing through the Writing Center, educational software training, and accommodations for students with disabilities.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE PROCESS QUESTIONS

What are the program’s requirements?	The Ph.D. Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies requires the competition of seven (21 credits) Foundation courses, six (18 credits) research courses, four (12 credits) elective courses, and a minimum of 9 dissertation credits. Students are eligible to wave the four elective courses by transferring 12 credits (of grades of B or higher) from their master’s degree.
How many credits does it take to complete the program?	60 credits. However, students who are eligible to transfer 12 credits from their master’s degree the total credits required to complete the program is 48. Also, if a student has already earned doctoral credits and holds ABD status, Marywood University offers an ABD completion program that is fully online, with 9 credits and 9 online dissertation credits (a total of 18 credits). This pathway is specifically designed for career professionals who are seeking to complete their doctoral studies and earn their Ph.D. without taking time off from their careers.
Where are classes held?	Online.
Do you offer courses during the summer?	No. Courses are offered only during the fall and spring semester. However, students who need to satisfy their elective requirements (if they did not transfer all 12 credits from their master’s degree program due to grades lower than B), can take an elective course offered by other departments at the University.
Can I take any electives from other departments?	Yes, as stated above, students who need to satisfy their elective requirements (if they did not transfer all 12 credits from their master’s degree program due to grades lower than B), can take an elective course offered by other departments at the University.
Is there a master course schedule?	Yes. We follow a sequence specified by a master course schedule.
Are there prerequisites?	Yes. You will need to complete SLAS 6009: Quantitative Research Design before allowed to register for SLAS 6010: Advanced Quantitative Research, and you will need to complete SLAS 6010 before registering for SLAS 6011: Statistical Analysis. You also will need to complete all courses before registering for SLAS 6013: Qualifying Seminar, and to pass SLAS 6013 before registering for dissertation credits.
Where can I get more detailed information on the program?	You can read the Program’s Manual.
Is there a comprehensive exam?	No.
Is there a Qualifying Process?	Yes. After the competition of all courses students are required to take and successfully pass SLAS 6013: Qualifying Seminar before allowed to enter the candidacy phase and starting their dissertation process.
Can I take the Qualifying Seminar during the summer or Spring semesters?	No. The Qualifying Seminar is offered only during the fall semester.
Can I take the Qualifying Seminar as an Independent Study course?	No. Although the Qualifying Paper is an autonomous, self-authored paper, the Qualifying Seminar is not an independent study course. It is in lieu of a Comprehensive Exam, administered by a panel of three faculty members. Students may work on their Qualifying Paper during the summer on their own (following the Seminar's guidelines), but then must register for the Seminar during the fall semester and follow the submission process within the specific due dates.
Can I resubmit my Qualifying Paper if I failed the first review?	Yes.
If I failed the second review of my Qualifying Paper, what should I do?	A student who fails the second review of the Qualifying Paper is permitted to retake the Qualifying Seminar one more time only during the next fall of the scheduled seminar. A special seminar will not be created for the returning student during the spring or summer semesters. As such, students must wait a year after their first registered seminar in order to retake the course during its regularly scheduled fall semester.
If a student fails the second Qualifying Seminar course, what will happen then?	A student who fails two registered courses of the Qualifying Seminars (a total of four reviews, two reviews per seminar) will be dismissed from the program.
Can I register for dissertation credits while I am registered for the Qualifying Seminar?	No. Students are not permitted to simultaneously register for SLAS 6013: Qualifying Seminar and dissertation. Only after successfully completing the Qualifying Seminar are students permitted to register for dissertation credits.
Am I required to register for dissertation credits during the summer sessions?	No. Registering for dissertation credits during the summer sessions is optional.
Can I register for dissertation credits without having a dissertation committee?	No.
When can I form my dissertation committee?	You can form your dissertation committee after completing SLAS 6012: Pre-Dissertation Seminar. You must complete the Dissertation Appointment Form, have all members of your dissertation committee sign it, and then email it to the Program Director. You cannot start your dissertation process without first passing the Qualifying Process (SLAS 6013: Qualifying Seminar), forming a committee, and submitting the Dissertation Appointment Form to the Program Director.
How do I form my dissertation committee?	A Dissertation Committee is composed of the Dissertation Committee Chair and two other full-time Marywood University faculty members, or one university faculty member and an outside expert. Committee members are to be invited based on consultation with the dissertation chair. A committee member must hold a terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) and can hold an academic or professional appointment. When an outside expert is invited to be a committee member, then the curriculum vitae of the outside expert must first be submitted to the Dissertation Committee Chair for approval. Outside members who are appointed to the committee are not compensated for their service and serve on the committee voluntarily. Retired or former Marywood faculty may continue to serve on the committee either as a member or as chair, if approved by the Dissertation Committee Chair.
Do I have to get IRB approval prior to starting my dissertation?	Yes.
How do I apply for IRB?	Visit IRB Webpage.
Is dissertation defense conducted online?	Yes (through Zoom).
Do I need Readers in addition to my dissertation committee for my defense?	Yes. The Candidate and Dissertation Committee select two Readers at least three weeks prior to the scheduled dissertation defense date. Readers are to ask questions and present their feedback to the Dissertation Committee. A Reader must hold a terminal degree from an accredited university and to be selected either from the faculty pool at Marywood University or from outside of the University.
Where can I publish my dissertation?	You can submit your dissertation for publication in the program's flagship peer-review journal, the Journal of Applied Professional Studies. All dissertations that were successfully defended are eligible for publication in the journal.
What are the stages in the dissertation process, from start to end?	Before Starting the Dissertation Process Secure a Dissertation Committee Chair and two members. The Chair and one committee member have to be full-time faculty members of Marywood University. The third member can be from outside the university. Each member must hold a terminal degree from an accredited university. Electronically (as an email attachment) submit a completed "Appointment of Dissertation Committee" Form to the Program Director. Complete IRB's online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) as well as IRB application During the Dissertation Writing Process Complete at least 9 credits of dissertation research. If the dissertation has not yet been defended after satisfactory completion of 9 dissertation credits, then a continuous registration of 1 dissertation credit per academic semester is required until successful defense. Prior to Defending the Dissertation Notify the Program Director via email of your intent to defend at least one month prior to the scheduled date of your dissertation defense (no form is required). Provide an electronic copy of the dissertation three weeks prior to the scheduled defense to the Program Director and Committee members. Register for Graduation. The Candidate and the Dissertation Committee select two Readers at least three weeks prior to the scheduled defense date. A Reader must also hold a terminal degree from an accredited university. Defending the Dissertation All dissertation defenses to be conducted through Zoom or Google Meet. Dissertation defense should not be longer than 45 minutes, followed by questions and answers. Have a minimum of two copies of the "Dissertation Cover Page" and all committee members must sign the form once the dissertation defense is successful. Readers ask questions during the defense and present their feedback to the committee. A majority vote of the Dissertation Committee members and at least one Reader is required to pass the defense. The Candidate can pass with provision that the research mentor supervise the corrections or additions to the final draft of the dissertation. Once passed, submit a copy of the signed Cover Page to the Program Director and keep another copy for your own record. Dissertation Format APA Style as described in the most current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is to be followed. The Copyright Act of 1976 provides for statutory copyright protection for any work fixed in a tangible medium. Following the Dissertation title page, the following copyright notice should be affixed on a separate page: "© year - Author’s Name All rights reserved." The left margin must be 1 1/2", the right, bottom and top margins must be 1". These margins must be respected for graphs, charts, illustrations, etc. Use font size 10-12 using the same style of font or typeface throughout. Front matter may include: acknowledgements, list of illustrations or tables, glossary of terms. After Defending the Dissertation Provide the Program Director with an electronic Word copy of the completed dissertation no later than two weeks after successfully defending your dissertation. If you are interested in bound copies of your dissertation you may contact Marywood University's Library. Students are strongly encouraged to present their research to regional, national, or international professional audiences. Research mentors typically are also willing to assist in the development of the student’s dissertation into a manuscript for publication. In these cases, the student is to have first authorship. Students can submit their dissertation for publication in the program's flagship peer-review journal, the Journal of Applied Professional Studies. If, after two years, the doctoral student does not publish his/her data, then the dissertation chair gains ownership of the data and may publish the results as first author.

Clubs

Student Resources

From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.

Student Handbook and Program Manual

Student Dissertations

Other

The McGowan Medal

The following criteria will be used to select nominees for the McGowan Medal in Doctoral Studies. Nominees will be evaluated on the extent to which they meet the criteria.

The recipient will be selected based on the ability to excel in multiple categories. Candidate nominees are forwarded to the Program Director, and the final nominee will be selected by the Director.

Quality of Dissertation/Doctoral Project: Projects should be worthy of publication, well written and executed. Mentors should provide a copy of the document’s abstract in support of the nomination.
Originality of Scholarship: This includes innovative design, use of creative methodology, or application to a novel problem/population or emerging area.
Impact of Research while Enrolled: The number of publication(s), conference presentation(s), poster presentation(s) made by the student while enrolled in the doctoral program.
Leadership potential: References should provide documentation of the nominee’s contributions to the community and outreach.
Overall QPA of 3.8 or better.

Past Recipients

2022: Abigail Davis, Aleni Mackarey, and Ann Romanosky (shared)

2021: Caroline Millen

2020: Amy Washo and Ryan Leckey (shared)

2019: Stanley Kania

Graduate

Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies

Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies Events

Junior Wind Band Celebration Performance

Dec 02 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Sat, Dec 2, 7:00PM - Sat, Dec 2, 10:00PM

Junior Wind Band Celebration Performance

Date/Time: Saturday, December 2, 2023, 7 – 10pm EST
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)

Junior Wind Band Celebration Performance

Email Reminder

Junior Wind Band Celebration Performance

Percussion Ensemble Concert

Dec 03 Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) Sun, Dec 3, 2:00PM - Sun, Dec 3, 4:00PM

Percussion Ensemble Concert

Date/Time: Sunday, December 3, 2023, 2 – 4pm EST
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium)

Percussion Ensemble Concert

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Percussion Ensemble Concert

Kristin Ventricelli and Kaitlyn Gingerlowsky Senior Recital

Dec 09 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Sat, Dec 9, 11:00AM - Sat, Dec 9, 12:00PM

Kristin Ventricelli and Kaitlyn Gingerlowsky Senior Recital

Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11am – 12pm EST
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel

Kristin Ventricelli and Kaitlyn Gingerlowsky Senior Recital

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Kristin Ventricelli and Kaitlyn Gingerlowsky Senior Recital

Chamber Singers Concert

Dec 10 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Sun, Dec 10, 2:00PM - Sun, Dec 10, 6:00PM

Chamber Singers Concert

Date/Time: Sunday, December 10, 2023, 2 – 6pm EST
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel

Chamber Singers Concert

Email Reminder

Chamber Singers Concert

Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements

Dec 11 Academic Dates Mon, Dec 11, 12:00AM - Tue, Dec 12, 12:00AM

Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements

Date/Time: Monday, December 11, 2023
Location: Academic Dates

Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements

Email Reminder

Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements

General Recital

Dec 13 Swartz Center Marian Chapel Wed, Dec 13, 8:00PM - Wed, Dec 13, 11:00PM

General Recital

Date/Time: Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 8 – 11pm EST
Location: Swartz Center Marian Chapel

General Recital

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General Recital

Fall Semester Ends

Dec 16 Academic Dates Sat, Dec 16, 12:00AM - Sun, Dec 17, 12:00AM

Fall Semester Ends

Date/Time: Saturday, December 16, 2023
Location: Academic Dates

Fall Semester Ends

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Fall Semester Ends

Final Grades Due by Noon

Dec 19 Academic Dates Tue, Dec 19, 12:00AM - Wed, Dec 20, 12:00AM

Final Grades Due by Noon

Date/Time: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Location: Academic Dates

Final Grades Due by Noon

Email Reminder

Final Grades Due by Noon

Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Fall Semester

Dec 22 Academic Dates Fri, Dec 22, 12:00AM - Sat, Dec 23, 12:00AM

Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Fall Semester

Date/Time: Friday, December 22, 2023
Location: Academic Dates

Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Fall Semester

Email Reminder

Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Fall Semester