Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy

Scholarships and Grants-in-aid

Scholarships and grant-in-aid for doctoral students may be available to qualified candidates via the university, the college, and other sources of assistance (i.e. endowments and research project grants). Also, individual candidate-employer contracts may be a key factor of financial support for some Ph.D. candidates given their advanced professional level and status in their respective organization.

Curriculum for the Ph.D.

The Ph.D. requires 60 credit hours beyond a master's degree with at least 51 of those credit hours completed at Niagara University. The program admits candidates who have evidence of scholarly work and who are established leaders.

The program consists of two key components: the leadership and policy study core (30 credits) and the research study core (30 credits). All candidates for the Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy complete required courses as cohort members and have the opportunity to work individually toward their dissertation topic. During the first year of study, cohort members fulfill the doctoral residency requirement by completing nine credit hours in the fall semester and nine credit hours in the spring semester. Classes are held on Friday evenings and on Saturdays to accommodate professional schedules.

Requirements for Admission

The admission requirements for the program are as follows:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of post-master's professional work experience.
• GPA of 3.50.
• Scores at or above the 50 percent level on one of the following standardized assessments:
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
  • Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
  • The above testing requirements may be substituted by the dean of the College of Education under special circumstances.
• A professional writing sample consisting of one of the following:
• Single author refereed journal or single author conference paper.
• Critical review of a book, article, video, etc. (750 words or more).
• Chapter of a graduate thesis or representative paper from a graduate class.
• Curriculum Vita or professional resume.
• A goal statement of at least 500 words that answers the question, “How will this doctoral program in Leadership and Policy address my future professional goals?"
• Personal interview
  • If distance is an issue, a phone or Skype type Internet interview may substitute.
• Three letters of professional recommendation.
• Foreign applicants must submit the results of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550.

The above testing requirement may be modified by the Dean of the College of Education under special circumstances.