Doctor of Philosophy - Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership (On Hold)

Plan Description

 The Workforce Development and Organization Leadership, Ph.D. program is currently on hold. For more information about the The Workforce Development and Organization Leadership, Ph.D. program, please contact the School of Environmental and Public Affairs at (702) 895-4440.  

The Workforce Development and Organization Leadership, Ph.D. program is focused on developing courageous, creative leaders and researchers for the workplace of the 21st century, where practices for preparing the workforce are consistently being reinvented. Technological advances have transformed most processes in the workplace and leaders in Workforce Development, must maintain their currency in workplace trends to make sure that their organizations remain competitive. This program is available to full and part-time students, and is designed for both traditional students and working adults.

The goal of the Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership program is to promote excellence, opportunity, and leadership among professionals in workforce education and development. A strong cadre of professionals in the area of workforce development and organizational leadership will enhance the economic vitality of Nevada. The program’s target populations are individuals working in a number of areas including the public sector, post-secondary education institutions, social services and non-profit industries, and the private sector. The program will prepare students for both academic and non-academic careers. The former will include teaching at colleges and universities; the latter will include public, private, and non-profit organizations and institutions. The program should strengthen the professional workforce through improving the cultural and ethnic diversity of individuals in this profession. The current program is known to be one of the most diverse programs at UNLV.

Students will enroll in six credits each semester, as well as the summer. Degree completion should take a minimum of four years, but could take up to six years.

The Workforce Development and Organization Leadership Ph.D. require a minimum of 57 credit hours. Students are encouraged to take at least two classes each semester. Early in their program, students are specifically advised to take those courses in the program and research core. Faculty work with students early-on to determine their cognate area and to identify the sequence of courses which will satisfy this requirement.   

Learning Outcomes

www.unlv.edu/degree/phd-workforce-dev-org-leadership

Plan Admission Requirements

The Workforce Development and Organization Leadership, Ph.D. program is currently not accepting new applicants.

All applications for admission to the Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership, Ph.D. program are made to the Graduate College but are reviewed by the Coordinators of the Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership program. The committee considers all training and preparation, general abilities, and previous experience.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the  Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. An application form and official transcripts of all college level work must be submitted online to the Graduate College. Applicants must have earned a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.2. (Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs.)

In addition to the online application, the following items must be submitted:

1. Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The recommended minimum total score of 297. Scores must be current and submitted directly from ETS.
2. Three professional and academic recommendations, stating that the applicant can do doctoral-level work.
3. A statement of purpose in which the applicant describes specific interests in and purpose for pursing a Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership. The purpose statement should also include a description of the applicant’s background for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals.
4. A professional resume which documents their related work experience in the field.
5. A writing sample in the form of a master’s thesis or original research paper of substantial length.

Applicants that successfully meet the above criteria for admission will be invited to an interview conducted by members of the program.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 57

Course Requirements  

 Required Courses – Credits: 9 

WDL 780 - Leadership in Workforce Education and Development  

WDL 787 - Organization Development & Change: Theories to Practice  

WDL 785 - Global and Diversity Perspectives in Workforce Development 

 Public Policy Course – Credits: 3

 Complete one of the following courses: 

WDL 767 - Review and Analysis of Policies in Workforce Development  

PAF 701 - Origins and Development of Public Policy in America 

 Strategic Planning Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses: 

WDL 788 - Strategic Planning and Management 

 PUA 775 - Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation for Nonprofits 

 Research Courses – Credits: 6  

WDL 786 - Critique of Research in Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership 

WDL 789 - Professional Development and Research 

 Qualitative & Quantitative Courses – Credits: 6

Complete one qualitative and one quantitative advisor-approved course.

Research Elective Course – Credits: 3 

Complete one advisor-approved advanced statistics course.

Cognate Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of advisor-approved cognate.

Prospectus Course – Credits: 3   

WDL 796 - Workforce Development & Organizational Leadership Prospectus 

 Dissertation – Credits: 12  

WDL 799 - Doctoral Dissertation 

  Degree Requirements  

1. Complete a minimum of 57 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree as stated in the candidate’s program of study.
2. Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all coursework taken at the doctoral level.
3. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
4. Complete the residency requirement (Residency Requirement: Successful completion of Comprehensive Exam). The comprehensive exam entails three parts. Students will be asked to submit written documents and prepare an oral presentation on their proposed study and options for a more focused study. The student will be required to propose up to 5 research questions/studies which reflect the gaps in the literature.
5. Pass a written comprehensive examination and complete the dissertation proposal prior to advancing to candidacy and prior to registering for dissertation credits.
   
   1. After committee approval, the student will be allowed to take the prospectus course which will allow them to move forward with their proposal.
   2. Upon completion of the prospectus course and after the dissertation chair has approved the proposal, it is considered by the student’s committee at a scheduled meeting of the committee.
   3. Committee members are given the proposal two weeks prior to the committee meeting. The committee will carefully examine the proposal, taking into consideration the organization and presentation, theoretical discussion, review of the literature, research questions/hypotheses, methods, and quality of writing. The committee should assist the student by making recommendations for improving the study. The committee may require the student to rewrite all or selected parts of the proposal. When the committee is satisfied with the proposal, all members sign the appropriate forms to indicate their approval.
   4. The committee must formally approve any changes in the study (e.g., as a result of pilot-testing). Such changes will be appended to the proposal.
   5. Advancing to candidacy involves:
      
      1. Completion of the program and research core and the cognate.
      2. Completion of the comprehensive written and oral exams.
      3. Successful completion of the proposal defense.
6. Complete and successfully defend their dissertation.
   1. The candidate must follow the guidelines set forth in the Guide to Preparing & Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation available from the Graduate College.
   2. The dissertation is culminating experience for the Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership. It must be of substantial length, and contain original research and interpretation on a topic in the field. Students will be required to enroll in six credits every semester they are working on the dissertation. Twelve credits of dissertation credits (including defense) are required and will count toward the degree (more credits may be taken but will not count towards the Ph.D.).

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public. .
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.