Hey everyone, any recommendations on lower cost PhD's in leadership that require no residencies and are fully accredited? I thought I found the right program at University of Cumberlands and started the application process, but have recently discussed the program with some work colleagues who informed me of some awful practices at the university and asked that I rethink this choice. I was unaware that in 2006 they expelled a student for being gay and their student handbook requires that students not engage in premarital sex or homosexuality or they will be suspended or asked to withdraw. In regards to homosexuality, the schools president also wrote publicly: "We tell prospective students about our high standards before they come. There are places students with predispositions can go, such as San Francisco and the left coast or to many of the state schools." I work with people from all different backgrounds and rather not be associated with any school with this type of thinking. Now I am at the starting point again and hopefully some of you have some other recommendations for me. Thanks so much! Any help would be appreciated.
I think some leadership doctorates are oriented toward Education and some toward Business. Which way are you leaning?
Most of the PhD in leadership programs I found are offered by Christian schools. I don't know much about the incident at University of the Cumberlands. But I would encourage you to research a bit further and see if their stance (not on homosexuality, but on the treatment of students) may have changed in the nearly 10 years since that incident occurred. It's a tricky thing. I'm not gay. But I'm pro-LGBT rights. I also hold an A.A. From a school which has fought tooth and nail against student movements to establish a campus Gay and Lesbian Alliance. My beliefs have evolved since I was a student there. Honestly, I see schools that I think do some interesting things but have policies like this that give me pause. I'm not sure there is a clean way of reconciling that conflict. That said, I would consider similar doctoral programs as well. I would recommend a program in Organizational Development or Educational Leadership (if education is your scene). The PhD in Human Capital Development at Bellevue has always looked interesting to me.
Definitely more towards business. My focus is mainly on non-profit organizations, but for profit contexts interest me as well.
Not the PhD in Leadership; nonetheless, this program could be worth considering too: Unisa Online - DBL - Doctor of Business Leadership Tuition /fees: http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/colleges/sbl/docs/degree%202015%20Tuition%20Fees.pdf
Well said Neuhaus. I had two colleagues that expressed their concern about attending the University of the Cumberlands. One works at one of our branches on the east coast and directed me to the New York times link below regarding the student being expelled. The other actually has lived in Kentucky most of her life up until two years ago and said the University has not changed, from her perspective they may not be as vocal as they once were from all the backlash they received but if you attend the campus or live in the area you know that gay students and those that don't meet their "standards" are not welcome. Their student handbook has not changed either, which states you will be suspended of expelled for homosexuality. Gay Student Expelled from U. the Cumberlands; School May Lose Funding - New York Times I don't mind attending a Christian school by any means, just not one that will treat someone unfairly because of their sexual orientation. This should have nothing to do with their education and it's not the type of place I would want to be associated with especially at the doctoral level. Thanks for the Bellevue recommendation. It looks good like a great program, my main focus though is leadership studies or transformational leadership PhD's.
Am I missing something here? Did /does not this small liberal arts university (e.g., a Southern Baptist /SBC affiliated campus) policy provide full and open disclosure of its policy? What’s unfair about this (such policy complies within all applicable federal and state non-discrimination statutes (e.g., no discrimination on the basis of race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, age, handicap, or genetic information))? Clearly you don’t subscribe to the university’s guidelines /rules in connection with premarital sex and homosexuality; that’s your prerogative … just as it is Cumberlands’ right to institute and enforce its own institutional policies. Moreover, there’s nothing covert here, as the university’s position and the administration of its policies is accessible at the outset. Suggestions … don’t compromise your own beliefs; find an alternative doctoral program whose institutional policy (re premarital sex and/or homosexuality) coincide and/or remain silent on this particular subject. By the same token, please don’t have the expectation (nor be alarmed) that the University of the Cumberlands should or will compromise or amend its sectarian convictions either.
We went down this road during a discussion about Liberty University. At present, Liberty, U of Cumberlands, Johnson University, and every other religious school has the right to discriminate based upon any number of things that public schools cannot. At present, these schools get to discriminate against faculty and students despite receiving state and federal money. I oppose the latter. Others do as well. Clearly there are people who feel that a private university should be able to ban women, minorities, gays, or Jews from their campuses and still be able to take taxpayer funded financial aid. I agree that a person should choose a school which aligns with their personal convictions. But I also think it is perfectly normal to be alarmed that I, as a taxpayer, am paying places like this or that I have an expectation that non-religious instruction at a religious school should be available for everyone. Alternatively, the Catholic Church is opposed to the ordination of women. Yet, it is clearly possible for a woman to complete a Master of Divinity at one of their Divinity schools. An institution can disagree with a person. The underlying denomination shouldn't be forced to ordain someone they are opposed to ordaining. But expelling a student because they don't conform to the religious norms of the school? Sure, if the school is funded with private funds. I don't want to spark a debate on this. I've said my piece here and elsewhere. And I don't think a month goes by where I'm not writing a letter to this effect to a legislator somewhere.
We don't talk very much about CIIS because they only have a couple of DL degree programs. Fortunately for you, one is a PhD in Transformative Leadership. Transformative Leadership (Online Program)
For what it's worth, I have a feeling that the days of the former are numbered, as are those of any private business. Some will consider that a great milestone, and while I'm not one of them, this just isn't a hot button issue for me. I personally find issues like poverty, high taxation, corporatist corruption, mass surveillance, needless military interventionism, and police brutality are a lot more important.
If you are not tied to the "Ph.D." title, the American College of Education had an Ed.D. in Leadership. The school is regionally accredited and tuition is only about $21,000 total. The residencies are being made "virtual", meaning no travel required. The "Educational and Community Organizations" concentration would be likely applicable to your interests in non-profit leadership (as it is to my interests in government leadership). I entered the program in January and am pleased so far. I find the curriculum to be a logical continuation of my master's program in Strategic Leadership.
I agree. Johnson University, Piedmont University, Bakke Graduate University...WIth the OP's interest in non-profit organizations, Bakke would be a great option if not for the Christian affiliation. There are other doctorates out there (Capella, Antioch, Regent), but they aren't inexpensive. Any chance the OP is in Maryland, or located close enough to the Maryland shore to attend weekend classes?
I certainly understand and respect your views on this issue. Is it important enough to you to pass up potentially good, affordable programs? Most Christian school policies require the student to abide by a particular code of moral conduct. They don't require that the student then apply that same code of conduct to their friends and colleagues. Notre Dame, for example, to the best of my knowledge, still has a code of conduct that prohibits homosexuality. I am certain many others schools do as well. I haven't checked, but I imagine Brigham Young, Catholic University, Mount Saint Mary's, and many, many others have policies of this nature. I don't believe, even for a second, that all the students who attend these universities necessarily agree with the moral code instituted by the school, let alone apply it to others.
Mmmm. Considering that it's happening inside a department with a leadership Masters program and considering the opportunity to gear a PhD program in a variety of way a la the dissertation, elective courses, etc. I'd guess there's no substantial difference.
Here's something to peek at: Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership - CSU Online Plus https://www.saybrook.edu/academic-affairs/areas/olt/oslss https://www.andrews.edu/grad/programs/educational-leadership-distance-learning.html Education Leadership : Teachers College Columbia University https://www.rockies.edu/degrees/philorgdev.htm Northcentral University St. Thomas University : Ed.D. in Leadership & Management http://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/index_exp.php?utm_expid=47137393-106.4tjwSVDIRyiCtN4JpUr1xg.1°ree=doctoral&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gcu.edu%2Fdegree-programs%2Findex_exp.php
I couldn't have said it any better Neuhas. I wasn't looking to spark a debate either, just wanted to point out the practices of this university based on the feedback I received from colleagues and now the feedback of others who have since messaged me privately from my original post about further reasons why I would not attend this university (Thanks for this). Others may choose to do with this information as they wish, but I personally am glad I was made aware of these things. If anyone else has alternatives for PhD's in leadership studies or similar alternatives, I would be grateful to know about them.
