FAQs

Faculty from throughout the academic disciplines offered at the University of Lynchburg serve as dissertation chairs. In addition, two other faculty members serve on a student’s dissertation committee. By request, one of these committee members may be an appropriately qualified individual who may not be a full-time member of the …

Dr. Mac Duis, program director, will serve as the faculty advisor for students in the doctoral program. Other faculty members will serve as dissertation chairs and/or committee members. The program advisor will assist students in matching student participants with faculty who share common professional interests. …

New cohorts begin each August. …

During each semester subsequently, in which the student continues to pursue completion of the dissertation, he/she will be required to enroll in three additional credits of dissertation study. Students are expected to complete the program within a maximum of 6 years, including any requested leave of absence. …

The dissertation is intended to be relevant and rigorous. Students will work with faculty advisors and their dissertation committee to select and implement their research projects. Although options will be available, the primary emphasis for the dissertation requirement will be on projects that are consistent with key research and program …

Yes. Upon completion of doctoral coursework, all students must pass an oral comprehensive exam that will address key concepts from the doctoral courses. …

The program includes the following: 14 doctoral courses (3 credit hours each), and the dissertation (12 credit hours). …

Courses will last for 7 semesters (fall, spring, and summer), with most of the dissertation writing completed after that. Every effort is made to support students with dissertation research and planning beginning in the program’s first semester. …

The doctoral courses are offered virtually via Google Meet in the fall and spring semesters usually on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-6:45 Eastern time. The summer courses are offered in a condensed format during summer sessions one and two. …

The University of Lynchburg’s Master’s degree programs typically allow up to 6 credits to be transferred into a degree program. A transfer credit request form is available from the Office of Graduate Studies. …