Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

FAQ – Graduate School of Leadership and Change

Explore the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions for the programs in the Graduate School of Leadership and Change. If there are additional questions not covered here, please contact us at [email protected].

Online Information Sessions

Join us virtually for an upcoming information session where you can speak with faculty, ask questions, and take a deeper dive into the PhD in Leadership and Change program.

Program

Is the PhD in Leadership and Change program accredited?

Yes, Antioch University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The PhD program is a part of the larger Antioch University system, which has locations in four states and programs across the nation. The program also has full and permanent approval to operate in the State of Ohio from the Ohio Board of Regents since the summer of 2005. To learn more about Antioch’s multi-campus system, visit www.antioch.edu.

Who are the students in the PhD program?

Our learning community is composed of socially engaged mid-to senior-level practitioners who are curious to explore the thorny issues in their fields. The program’s students are a highly diverse group of committed cross-sector professionals, coming from education, healthcare, government, business, nonprofit, consulting, and much more. Approximately 50% of our students are BIPOC, the average age is 48 years old, and they come from every state in the country, with around 15% being internationally born. This is a vibrant group of learners with differing experiences and interests all committed to personal growth, achieving their PhDs, and leading positive change in their organizations and communities.

What type of courses do your programs have?

What is the curriculum like?

What are the benefits of this program?

Antioch’s PhD in Leadership and Change program admits one cohort of about 25 students per year into the program. This small cohort size lends to the quality of student-to-faculty and student-to-student contact and creates a diverse, supportive cross-sector learning community. The program’s content of curriculum is heavily focused on the interdisciplinary study, research, and practice of leading change that furthers social, economic, and environmental justice in workplaces and communities worldwide. In addition, the PhD program is built on an understanding of adult learning, which allows for a curriculum that is extremely learner-centered for highly self-directed students. The program is designed for working professionals who are interested in enrolling in a full-time doctoral program while simultaneously maintaining their professional full-time work. The benefits and return on investment (ROI) also depend upon what the individual learner seeks and where they are in their own personal and professional journey. For many, the program journey and achieving their PhD deepens the career paths they are already on. For some, securing a PhD offers the opportunity for new positions, and provides them with the expertise to open consulting practices, to teach at a local college or university, or to help them become a more public intellectual in their professional networks. Again, it depends if one is mid-career and looking for expansion and/or if one is exploring opportunities for an encore career.  Learn more about the ways in which we contextualize return on investment here.

How long will the program take to complete?

The program is designed on a three-year to candidacy model, with typically one additional year for the dissertation, so a total of four years. The length of time beyond the three years that a student takes to achieve candidacy depends largely on the student’s ability to complete the required demonstrations of learning in a timely fashion. The baseline is a minimum of three years to candidacy but must be completed within seven years from admission.

What grading system does the program use?

Antioch University uses a narrative evaluation system rather than grades. Students receive feedback in an interactive process with the faculty member until the submission meets all requirements in a satisfactory fashion. Once approved, credit is awarded coupled with a narrative evaluation identifying the strengths of the student’s work and opportunities for future growth.

What is academic advising?

Advising in doctoral programs is extremely important to student success. Research shows that many students leave doctoral programs because of isolation and little to no contact with faculty and advisors. Our program is different. Students work directly with each and every faculty member from first-year forward. Upon admission, the student is assigned a Core Faculty Advisor whom they meet up with at least once per month. At the end of the first year, students identify their preferences for an Advisor for the second year and beyond, now that they know all faculty members, their expertise, and their personalities.

Life Fit

I have a family and/or career. Will this program work for me?

Most definitely. All of our students balance the program with full-time careers and family commitments. That said, students are asked to plan for approximately 15-20 hours of academic work on average per week. With our close to 80% graduation rate, we know that it is completely possible to work full-time, care for aging parents or young children, AND complete one’s dream of a PhD!

Do I need to move to attend this program?

Absolutely not. Our students live and work wherever. Students need sufficient bandwidth (literally and figuratively) to engage fully in this geographically-dispersed learning community with other students, staff, and faculty. Students are required to attend three annual residencies for the first three years of study. Two of the week-long residencies each year are held face-to-face, and one is virtual. The on-site residencies are typically held at one of the Antioch campuses.

What does a "low-residency" program mean?

Can I incorporate my job into my degree? How?

The PhD in Leadership and Change Program is designed for practitioners who want to develop their research skills and theoretical knowledge in order to address the perplexing questions of their practice. Therefore, throughout their doctoral journey, students are continually applying their learning to their professional interests and fields of practice. At the same time, it is important to recognize that the PhD program is a research degree, so while learning is connected and applied to one’s professional interests, there is not a one-to-one correlation with job-specific responsibilities. Students’ practitioner knowledge of their fields and their awareness of thorny problems that need to be addressed is at the core of their research interests and their desire to illuminate ways to improve the lives of those they serve in workplaces, organizations, and communities across the country and world.

How does the programs' learning community help students succeed?

Residency

What are the residency requirements?

This is a low-residency program, not an online degree. Students are required to attend three annual residencies for the first three years of study. Two of the week-long residencies each year are held face-to-face, and one is virtual. The on-site residencies are typically held at one of the Antioch campuses.

What is a face-to-face residency like?

What happens between the face-to-face residencies?

This is a robust geographically-dispersed learning community with students fully engaged throughout the year with myriad learning opportunities to participate in elective research workshops, writing support sessions, and library appointments. Students are also meeting with faculty evaluators on Learning Achievements and attending specific workshops about each Learning Achievement. The opportunity to sit in on Dissertation Defenses and attend speakers’ series are also available. If the student is in their first, second, or third year in the program, they have their required Proseminar, in essence, their cohort homeroom, which typically meets every other week. And finally, of course, students are meeting one-on-one with their advisor, the Graduate research librarian, the writing coach … and each other!

Application

What is the application deadline?

The early application review deadline is October 1 of each year. Review of subsequent applications begins after February 1, after which time we begin review of all complete applications on a rolling basis. Our final application deadline is May 1 of each year.

Term Early Application Review Rolling Application Review Beginning of Term
Summer 2024 October 1 Begins February 1 July 1
The PhD in Leadership and Change program admits 25-30 students in the cross-sector cohort each year, with the academic term beginning July 1. Applications are accepted year-round. Early review of complete applications occurs after October 1st each year. Review of subsequent complete applications begins after February 1st each year and continues through mid-May and/or until the cohort is full.

What steps do I take in the application process?

The entire application is accessible here.  Applicants are asked to submit an application form, admissions essay, current resume, writing sample, three recommender forms, official transcripts, and an application fee. For questions regarding further specifics of the application components please contact us or email us. We encourage potential applicants to attend an information meeting to learn more about the program.  

Is a master’s degree required for admission into the PhD program? Are there exceptions granted?

Yes, a master’s degree from an accredited institution is a minimum requirement for considered admission to the program. Applicants who seek admission to the PhD in Leadership and Change program without a post-baccalaureate degree may be considered in extremely rare cases. In such cases, the expectation would be that an individual’s record would demonstrate an outstanding accomplishment and significant professional experience at the equivalent of a master’s degree and would likely include extensive post-BA coursework, even if a degree were not completed. The program will accept applications from all interested individuals but it would be in rare situations that an applicant without a master’s degree would be considered for review by the full Admissions Committee of the PhD in Leadership and Change Program.

Can I transfer in credit from other doctoral or master’s programs?

The program is willing to consider assessing doctoral work completed at another accredited institution within the past five years. The student’s work is evaluated to determine the degree to which it meets the learning goals and criteria established by our program faculty for only two specific first-year assignments: the Case Study in Leading Change and the Nature of Leadership. Because the PhD Program is not course-based, there is no direct transfer of prior course credits.

Financial Aid – Tuition

How much is tuition?

Guaranteed fixed tuition is offered in the PhD in Leadership and Change Program for the first three years. Once a student advances to candidacy the tuition is half of full tuition, beginning in the trimester following advancement. For 2022-23, the tuition is $25,752. Payment plans are available.

Item Cost
Annual tuition $27,848
Books/supplies/subscriptions $1,000
Room and board (based on 10 nights x $150 hotel; $50 food a day) $2,000
Transportation (based on 2 residencies x $500 transportation each) $1,000
Total $31,848
View the Cost of Attendance Components

What type of financial aid is available and how do I apply? How much financial aid can I get each year? How long does the financial aid process take to complete?

A majority of GSLC students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program.

Are there any scholarship funds available directly from the program?

Yes, new and continuing students to the PhD Program can apply to a host of scholarship funds and research grants, many of which encourage socially engaged leadership that helps to further the University’s mission and program outcomes. Additionally, in honor of the many generations of Antioch University’s Peace Corps volunteers, the PhD in Leadership and Change Program also offers a Coverdell Scholarship for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information on scholarship funds and research grants, please email us.

What is the first step to apply for financial aid?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step. Applicants can  obtain a copy of the application from the Program Office or go to ‘How to Apply’ on the  Program’s website.

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