Ph.D. in Global Leadership Dissertation Process
The dissertation marks the final chapter in your learning experience.
Dissertation Requirements
Students will be prepared to enter the dissertation stage of their degree process once they have completed the following requirements:
1. Course Requirements
Including 18 credit hours in Global Leadership, 18 credit hours in Research, and 18 credit hours for the concentration area (Organizational Behavior and Change). Business Administration concentration students transfer in their 18 credit hours of concentration courses. The last 6 hours are dedicated to the dissertation process. Students must complete all courses with a minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
2. Doctoral Student Publication Requirements
Including two doctoral student publications with the help of your coursework and individual mentor.
3. Cultural Immersion Requirements
Including completion of three cultural immersions by graduation (virtual or in-person attendance but at least one in-person cultural immersion before graduation).
Dissertation Coursework
A doctoral student will select a dissertation committee chair after a series of introductions experienced throughout their doctoral journey and with guidance from their faculty mentor. Once a doctoral student meets the requirements, they will be prepared to complete the dissertation stages of the coursework:
Stage 1
Being enrolled in GL 897 during stage one allows students to focus on developing the introduction of their dissertation while considering key concepts for the literature review and proposed methodology. Completion of stage one includes successfully preparing and presenting a qualifying research introduction to their dissertation committee.
Stage 2
Moving forward to stage two includes enrollment in GL 898 where students culminate the introduction, literature review and methodology of their dissertation then virtually defend their dissertation proposal. Upon successfully passing the proposal defense and completing corrections, the student will work with their committee chair to apply to the SMWC Institutional Review Board in preparation of approval to conduct their research.
Stage 3
In the final stage of the dissertation process students independently conduct, analyze and complete their previously approved research with the continued support and encouragement from their dissertation chair and faculty mentor. The SMWC Dissertation Handbook is a useful resource as they produce a final, written dissertation and create a visual and oral presentation then defend the dissertation to their committee (with the possibility of a larger audience). Having successfully completed all coursework with a 3.0 or higher, submitted student publications and experienced cultural immersions, a successfully defended doctoral student will graduate with a Ph.D. in Global Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Change. Congratulations!
