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+---- Thread: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership (/Thread-Alvernia-University-ABD-Ph-D-in-Leadership)
Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - newdegree - 12-04-2025
I was searching for ABD doctoral programs and came across this program. Looks like the program is a total of 60 credits, but they accept 42 transfer credits for their ABD pathway. Tuition is $900 per credit, for a total of $16,200, and only six courses to complete, all dissertation-related. They hold RA accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Learning.
This is tempting for the price point if one can get all 42 credits transferred in. Hmmm, maybe I should give it a try in the future? Perhaps someone on the forum will before me haha.
https://www.alvernia.edu/academics/grad/phd-leadership
A.B.D. Pathway
Our program offers an A.B.D. (All But Dissertation) pathway for students who have completed doctoral coursework elsewhere, allowing them to transfer up to 42 credits, receive expert mentorship, and finish their dissertation in a supportive academic environment. Please see admissions requirements below for additional items required for A.B.D. applicants.
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - SteveFoerster - 12-04-2025
Interesting find, I've never heard of them before.
Founded by Franciscans, accredited by Middle States, and charges $900 per credit for this program, so someone bringing 42 credits would be on the hook for $16,200, which is not horrible pricing.
With a student population of 3000 and with Reading being an 80 minute drive from Philly, this seems like an exurban SLAC that's being challenged by demographic trends, but is doing what it can to survive, including programs like this one.
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - Coachr21 - 12-04-2025
Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - SteveFoerster - 12-04-2025
(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
The dissertation phase is hard. A lot of people get bogged down and don't finish. Programs like Alvernia's give them a second chance to complete it.
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - newdegree - 12-04-2025
(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
Some people have an abundance of doctoral-level credits from programs they did not finish, and others made it to the all but dissertation phase of their programs but never completed them, leaving them with a lot of credits but no degree. In addition, many people complete other doctoral programs, such as DBA, EdD, DHA, DPA, Etc. But may want a complete Ph.D. Many of those degrees do not require a dissertation but rather a capstone, practicum, or other final project, leaving a gap in their academic resumes if they wish to teach, because some universities require a dissertation or a PhD degree as a hiring requirement. This program allows them to pursue a Ph.D. at a fraction of the cost and saves a lot of time, as they only have to complete six courses tailored to writing a dissertation.
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - FireMedic_Philosopher - 12-05-2025
(12-04-2025, 01:12 PM)newdegree Wrote:For those of you.... ahem.... esteemed colleagues... who have not one doctorate complete...cough... but who have two earned terminal degrees.... smattering of applause... for example....both a DHA and a DSc (which is considered the equal to the PhD) how would you qualify, given you have earned terminal credentials?(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
Some people have an abundance of doctoral-level credits from programs they did not finish, and others made it to the all but dissertation phase of their programs but never completed them, leaving them with a lot of credits but no degree. In addition, many people complete other doctoral programs, such as DBA, EdD, DHA, DPA, Etc. But may want a complete Ph.D. Many of those degrees do not require a dissertation but rather a capstone, practicum, or other final project, leaving a gap in their academic resumes if they wish to teach, because some universities require a dissertation or a PhD degree as a hiring requirement. This program allows them to pursue a Ph.D. at a fraction of the cost and saves a lot of time, as they only have to complete six courses tailored to writing a dissertation.
It might be different for doctorate programs but a few similar masters level "finishing schools" I looked at to earn a quick MPA would only take transfer credits from incomplete studies. Given that I had actually earned a degree already none of the associated courses would count.
-Congrats again Doctor... 2027 cannot come soon enough for me. -
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - newdegree - 12-05-2025
(12-05-2025, 01:27 PM)FireMedic_Philosopher Wrote:It is up to the school to determine who they select to qualify for their program. Who knows if they would take my already finished degrees since I did complete the program? It was just interesting to see an ABD PHD program accepting that many transfer credits and with a good price point.(12-04-2025, 01:12 PM)newdegree Wrote:For those of you.... ahem.... esteemed colleagues... who have not one doctorate complete...cough... but who have two earned terminal degrees.... smattering of applause... for example....both a DHA and a DSc (which is considered the equal to the PhD) how would you qualify, given you have earned terminal credentials?(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
Some people have an abundance of doctoral-level credits from programs they did not finish, and others made it to the all but dissertation phase of their programs but never completed them, leaving them with a lot of credits but no degree. In addition, many people complete other doctoral programs, such as DBA, EdD, DHA, DPA, Etc. But may want a complete Ph.D. Many of those degrees do not require a dissertation but rather a capstone, practicum, or other final project, leaving a gap in their academic resumes if they wish to teach, because some universities require a dissertation or a PhD degree as a hiring requirement. This program allows them to pursue a Ph.D. at a fraction of the cost and saves a lot of time, as they only have to complete six courses tailored to writing a dissertation.
It might be different for doctorate programs but a few similar masters level "finishing schools" I looked at to earn a quick MPA would only take transfer credits from incomplete studies. Given that I had actually earned a degree already none of the associated courses would count.
-Congrats again Doctor... 2027 cannot come soon enough. -
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - bjcheung77 - 12-06-2025
Yes, It's a pretty good program for the price point, if you're looking at that particular subject matter and at the doctorate level. I can see someone who went for the UMPI MAOL or similar equivalent such as the WGU MSML going for this type of terminal degree...
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - Sagan - 12-07-2025
(12-04-2025, 12:52 PM)SteveFoerster Wrote:(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
The dissertation phase is hard. A lot of people get bogged down and don't finish. Programs like Alvernia's give them a second chance to complete it.
About half. But I'm about to do something about it.
(12-05-2025, 01:27 PM)FireMedic_Philosopher Wrote:(12-04-2025, 01:12 PM)newdegree Wrote:For those of you.... ahem.... esteemed colleagues... who have not one doctorate complete...cough... but who have two earned terminal degrees.... smattering of applause... for example....both a DHA and a DSc (which is considered the equal to the PhD) how would you qualify, given you have earned terminal credentials?(12-04-2025, 12:24 PM)Coachr21 Wrote: Interesting, but my question would be where would one get 42 doctoral credits to transfer in that are cheap and will be accepted to lower their total cost, if it is a full-fleged accredited doctoral program,, why not finish that program anyways?
Some people have an abundance of doctoral-level credits from programs they did not finish, and others made it to the all but dissertation phase of their programs but never completed them, leaving them with a lot of credits but no degree. In addition, many people complete other doctoral programs, such as DBA, EdD, DHA, DPA, Etc. But may want a complete Ph.D. Many of those degrees do not require a dissertation but rather a capstone, practicum, or other final project, leaving a gap in their academic resumes if they wish to teach, because some universities require a dissertation or a PhD degree as a hiring requirement. This program allows them to pursue a Ph.D. at a fraction of the cost and saves a lot of time, as they only have to complete six courses tailored to writing a dissertation.
It might be different for doctorate programs but a few similar masters level "finishing schools" I looked at to earn a quick MPA would only take transfer credits from incomplete studies. Given that I had actually earned a degree already none of the associated courses would count.
-Congrats again Doctor... 2027 cannot come soon enough for me. -
Typically, credits applied to a degree cannot be used on another. A common exception is a second bachelor's degree, which typically requires 30 new credits (of 120 total).
RE: Alvernia University - ABD Ph.D. in Leadership - bjcheung77 - 12-11-2025
I wonder if someone can do a couple of those UK Level 8 Diploma programs and have it evaluated as equivalent to two years doctoral studies... Would that be sufficient to be ABD? Hmm, I am curious how those UK programs sometimes will get people to the final dissertation stage with a DBA at Westcliff for example.