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Mitch Williams, Graduate Program Director
The Ph.D. degree in Community College Leadership is designed to meet the executive leadership needs of the nation’s community colleges. The curriculum is designed for professionals who want to increase their knowledge and leadership opportunities in areas such as: curriculum, finance, leadership and administration, policy development, and workforce development. Students develop skills that enable them to assume advanced leadership positions at community colleges; work for state councils of higher education; or work at regional, national, and discipline-specific accrediting bodies.
Students take classes as part of a cohort which provides a shared learning experience, builds community, and broadens students' professional networks. Working professionals across the U.S. engage in live, online weekly class meetings throughout the year, as well as attend an annual, two-week Summer Institute where they engage faculty, colleagues, and guest scholars. The curriculum includes four parts: core courses, a research courses, electives, and dissertation. This program is available online.
Admission
Prospective students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program in Community College Leadership must:
- Meet all University admission requirements as listed in the Old Dominion University Catalog;
- Have a completed Master's degree in an appropriate discipline from a regionally accredited university, and submit transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work with a minimum GPA of 3.5 overall for the Master’s degree. Degrees that are equivalent to a Master’s degree such as L.L.B., J.D., and D.D.S. are also acceptable;
- Provide three (3) letters of recommendation. At least one letter must come from a professor or an individual who describes the applicant's academic performance and writing ability. Letters from senior-level leaders that endorse the applicant's leadership potential are encouraged;
- Provide a 1-page single-spaced essay that addresses the questions: What are your professional goals? Why do you wish to obtain the specific degree for which you are applying?
- Provide an original 2-page single-spaced academic writing sample. Pick one current issue facing community colleges of interest to you. What is the issue? Why is the issue important to the field of community college research and practice?
- Provide a CV or resume that describes the applicant’s academic and professional background;
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT of at least 80.
Applicants must submit completed application materials by February 1. The admissions committee composed of higher education and community college leadership faculty will review all applications then will select applicants for an interview with one or more members of the committee. Interviews will be used to determine final admissions decisions.
Admitted students will begin in the summer semester of the same year. First- and second-year students are expected to attend the Summer Institute, a series of intensive courses offered on Old Dominion University's main campus each summer. The dissertation requires a minimum of nine credit hours depending on the length of time necessary for a student to complete the dissertation work.
Additional Requirements
Continuance
Students must meet all department, college, and university policy requirements for continuation in their academic program. See department policy above.
Exit
In order to graduate from the program, students must successfully complete all degree requirements including all coursework, candidacy requirements, and the dissertation.
Non-Degree
Non-degree students are limited to a maximum of 2 courses prior to admission unless they receive permission from the GPD. Students must receive academic advising from a program faculty member prior to enrollment in any course as a non-degree student. Taking courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission into the program.
Continuance Policy and Procedures for all EFL Programs
The following policy has been established for continuance in all graduate programs within the EFL department.
At the end of each semester – fall, spring, and summer – the graduate program directors (GPD) will review student records. As per university policy, students who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in their EFL program will be placed on probation. Students placed on probation have one semester to bring their overall GPA back to a minimum of 3.0. A student may be placed on probation only one time in their EFL program and will not be eligible for a second probationary period. Should a student’s GPA fall below 3.0 twice, he/she will be dismissed from the program.
Students who receive a grade of F in any EFL required or elective program course or who receive a final grade of lower than B- in more than one class in their program will be dismissed from their program by the Graduate Program Director and Department Chair. A failing grade in dissertation credits for one semester places the student in warning status and does not automatically dismiss the student from the program. However, two failing grades in dissertation credits will result in dismissal from the program. Students may follow the Grade Appeal Procedure in the ODU Graduate Catalog. In the event a grade is appealed such that the student comes into compliance with the EFL Continuance Policy, he/she will be reinstated. In accord with University policy, ODU email is considered official communication.
Advancement to Candidacy Policy for all EFL Programs
In the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, advancement to candidacy is a formal step that occurs after the student 1) completes formal coursework, 2) passes the PhD written and oral candidacy examinations, and 3) has an approved dissertation topic.
