Program Requirements
Transfer Credit Policy
Students may transfer up to nine hours of post-master's credit from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) provided a grade of "B" or higher was earned in a post-masters course meeting the following criteria of the transcript audit:
- The course is clearly comparable to one of the Ph.D. program course offerings.
- The course is at the 600 or higher numbering system and was not part of the master’s degree requirements.
- The course has been completed within the past five years.
- The course reflects current knowledge-base and best practice.
- The course reflects higher order thinking, study, and assessment requirements of the scholarship of discovery.
- The course has been evaluated by IWU faculty and approved to meet program requirements.
Advanced Degree Appeals for Transferring Additional Hours
Students who have obtained a professional graduate degree requiring 60 credit hours or more may petition to have appropriate coursework transferred into the doctoral program.
Graduate students having earned a doctoral degree or a professional degree requiring 90 or more credit hours may appeal in writing, to the Chair, Department of Leadership Studies, for a transcript audit to transfer up to nine additional hours (18 maximum). The letter of appeal, requesting more than nine hours of transfer credit, should clearly explain and justify the request. The letter of appeal should be supported with a dossier showing clear and convincing alignment between the courses of study and demonstrating that the transfer of credit policy criteria (above) have been met.
Attendance Policy
All doctoral courses are a blend of live and interactive online discussions. Students are expected to attend all live sessions and substantively engage in all interactive online discussions, tests, quizzes, and prescribed learning activities.
- Synchronous Class Sessions - Synchronous classes are held on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and meet on the second, fourth, and eighth Saturdays of the September, January, and April sessions. Students are expected to be in attendance when class begins, and remain the entire session. A student may be allowed one absence per course. An allowed absence only is to be used when absolutely necessary and requires approval from the faculty member teaching the course. Students need to contact the faculty member regarding make-up work, if allowed by the faculty member. The criteria for full participation attendance points will be determined by the faculty member.
- Online Attendance - Attendance is determined by participating in weekly discussions. Failure to participate in the weekly discussion forum(s) will constitute an absence for that week. Participating in discussion does not guarantee full participation attendance points. The criteria for full substantive participation points will be determined by the course professor. A student may be allowed one participation absence per course. Students need to contact the faculty member regarding make-up work, if allowed.
- Excessive Absences - A student is allowed only one absence per course, whether it is a synchronous Saturday or online participation absence (not one of each). If a student exceeds the allowed absences and does not contact the Office of Student Services to officially withdraw before the last class session, the professor is directed to issue the grade of "F." A student accruing excessive absences in the final week of the course will be issued the grade of “F.”
- Students are expected to take courses in the predetermined sequence. Students who are unable to participate in a course due to unavoidable circumstances must arrange for a temporary leave of absence with the Office of Student Services prior to the beginning of the course. Students needing to withdraw while in a course may do so with permission of the Department Chair and by arrangement with the Office of Student Services prior to the end of the course, but the regular refund and academic withdrawal policies apply.
Residency
Residency for the doctoral program is satisfied by attending on campus during three Summer residencies. These residencies begin on a Saturday (except for first year students, who begin on Friday) and go through the following Friday. Students are expected to be in attendance every day of each residency and are not allowed an absence from required workshops, events, or class sessions that are scheduled during the residency. The Summer Residencies are normally attended during three consecutive years. However, in unusual circumstances a student may be given permission by the Department Chair to skip a year and attend the residency another year. Students are expected to follow the community lifestyle statement of the university while living on campus.
Withdrawal from a Course
A student that withdraws from a course will need to get permission from the Department Chair to continue in the program and will need to follow the plan of study prescribed by the Department Chair.
Students needing to officially withdraw from a course will be required to contact the Office of Student Services. Tuition will be reimbursed according to the following schedule:
- 100% of the tuition fee if withdrawing within the first seven days of the course,
- 90% of the tuition fee if withdrawing between the 8th and by the 14th day of the course,
- 50% of the tuition fee if withdrawing between the 15th and by the 21st day of the course, and
- No refund after the 21st day from the start date of the course.
A student withdrawing from the summer residency less than 10 days from the start of the summer term will be assessed a fee to cover the costs of room and meals. Residency fees are non-refundable.
Academic Standing
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program are regarded as members of the academic community of Indiana Wesleyan University and are held responsible for conducting themselves in conformity with the standards of conduct for adult learners. Continued enrollment in the program is at all times subject to review of the student’s academic record and of the student’s actions with regard to observance of university rules and regulations.
Academic Probation - Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program will be placed on probation if their cumulative GPA at any time falls below the required 3.25 GPA for graduation
Students are given six months to satisfactorily raise their GPA. The GPA is reviewed after the six month probationary period, and if it has been successfully raised, the probationary status is removed. Academic suspension will result if the student’s GPA is not successfully raised.
Academic Suspension - Academic suspension of six months will result if:
- A student fails to clear the academic probationary status within the six month probationary period.
- A student has taken a course twice and failed to achieve a satisfactory grade.
In all cases, the suspension will occur once the grades have been recorded in the Registrar’s Office. Students will be notified of the academic suspension in writing. A student will be eligible to reapply for admission on a provisional basis after six months, but only upon the recommendation of the Dean of the School of Service and Leadership.
Academic Dismissal - Upon a second academic suspension in the Ph.D. program, a student is not eligible to reapply to Indiana Wesleyan University.
Students who do not follow the courses in the designated sequence, or who withdraw from a course, must undergo advising (by the Department Chair) before being allowed to register for another course.
Academic Load
Students may enroll in no more than 6 credit hours per term. Overload requests maybe submitted in writing to the Department of Leadership Studies and reviewed through the academic petition process.
Comprehensive Examination
After the completion of all coursework (DOL courses numbered DOL-915 and lower), a comprehensive examination will be administered to each student in the Ph.D. program. This exam will be designed to:
- Determine the student’s grasp of leadership understanding across the curriculum;
- Assess the student’s ability to adapt and integrate leadership theory and current best practice across the curriculum, including the integration of faith and practice;
- Give the student the opportunity to demonstrate higher order thinking with reference to Organizational Leadership theory and practice.
The exam will be constructed to cover the major domains of the program and will be administered by a committee of full-time faculty in the Department of Leadership Studies. The Comprehensive Examination Manual is published annually. Students are required to follow all policies, procedures, and guidelines contained in the most recent guide.
