odu online phd

Academic Catalog

Doctor of Philosophy English (PhD)

Julia Romberger, Graduate Program Director [email protected]

The PhD in English is an innovative program that integrates writing, rhetoric, discourse, technology, literary, and textual studies. Offering opportunities for creative reinterpretation of these fields within the discipline of English, the program emphasizes research that examines texts in a variety of overlapping and sometimes competing language-based worlds. Our focus is on how the creation and reception of texts and media are affected by form, purpose, technology of composition, audience, cultural location, social practices, and communities of discourse.  Students may pursue full- or part-time study through a combination of on-campus and distance learning courses. There are four concentrations: 1) Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse Studies; 2) Literary and Cultural Studies; 3) Technology and Media Studies; and 4) Student-created concentration (must be approved by the graduate program director). This program prepares students for academic careers, as well as other careers in which reading and writing figure prominently; the program also helps students professionalize within their current careers.

Admission Information

Applications are accepted for entrance in fall semester only and must be submitted no later than February 1. Late applicants not applying for financial assistance may be considered until March 15, but only if openings remain after the first round of decisions. Applications submitted after March 15 will not be considered. Applicants residing in other countries should mail materials well in advance of those dates. All required forms and documents should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applications packets are available online at the Office of Graduate Admissions website. The following should be submitted along with the appropriate applications forms: 1) a 1500-word statement of the applicant’s academic and professional goals and discussion of how the PhD in English will contribute to the achievement of those goals; 2) three letters of reference from sources capable of commenting on the applicant's readiness for advanced graduate study in English; 3) a 15-20 double-spaced-page writing sample on a topic related to the applicant’s projected plan of study; and 4) a resume or curriculum vitae.

Admission standards include the following, which are required, unless otherwise stated:  1) A completed master’s degree (or its equivalent) in English or in an appropriate field (such as rhetoric, composition, English education, communications, journalism, linguistics, science, or technology) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; 2) A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) overall for the master’s degree; ) For students whose first language is not English, a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based version, or 80 on the iBT version.  Students without at least some significant background in an English-related field are encouraged to take master’s level coursework in English before applying.

Curriculum Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in English requires 48 credit hours (39 credit hours of course work and 9 credit hours of dissertation), completion of a research competency, and the passing of a candidacy examination and an oral defense of the dissertation. An identifiable unifying principle is required for each student’s program.

Students are allowed to take only one ENGL 897 per emphasis with a total of two different sections of English 897 for the entire course of study.

Students are allowed to take one course at the 600-level towards their course of study. The remaining four courses are electives, which may include additional courses in the student’s chosen concentrations, course in other concentrations, or other 800-level courses from other programs.  Students are encouraged to select electives that contribute to defining a coherent area of specialization or subfield.  Note:  Students and advisors should select a pedagogy course when students’ previous work experience or course work does not prepare them for instructional activities related to their field.

Concentrations

(18 credit hours)

Students will choose two nine-hour concentrations from those described below.  NOTES:

• Some courses appear in multiple concentrations, but the same course cannot be counted toward the required nine hours in multiple concentrations.  (No “double-dipping” is allowed.)
• A concentration is defined by a minimum of three courses, but students are free to select additional courses from their concentration areas as electives (see below, ELECTIVES).
• Students who choose the “Student-Designed Concentration” as one of their two concentrations MUST follow the process for defining it specified in the description below in order for courses they take to constitute a concentration.
• Students may count only one “Student-Designed Concentration” toward the requirement to complete two concentrations.  That is, all students must select as least one of the pre-defined disciplinary concentrations, but all students may also design their own concentrations according to the process stipulated below.

Literary and Cultural Studies Concentration

Rhetoric, writing, and discourse studies concentration, student designed concentration, technology and media studies concentration.

The Literary and Cultural Studies concentration will teach students to apply a range of methodologies to the study of literature and other textually informed cultural practices.  By the conclusion of their studies in this concentration, students will be proficient in interpreting texts and cultural practices by critically employing methodologies that include:

• Theories of Form, such as the technical protocols of scholarly editing and the physical description of manuscript and printed texts.
• Critical Theories such as New Historicism, Feminism, Queer Theory, and Poststructuralism.
• Cultural Theories such as Critical Race Theory, Disability Studies, New Materialism, Mass/Popular Culture Theory, Posthumanism, and Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies.

This concentration prepares students for placement and advancement in careers centered on the history and theory of rhetoric, composition studies, technical communication, writing program administration, workplace studies, and/or rhetorical and linguistic approaches to discourse and culture.  It emphasizes how communications are composed, constructed, and produced as well as how they affect (inter) personal, social, cultural, and political situations.  Possible areas of inquiry include:

• Institutional assessment procedures for writing and critical thinking.
• Writing practices and language use in a variety of educational, public, professional, scientific, and workplace settings.
• The influence of institutional, cultural, and disciplinary assumptions about language and language users upon rhetorical and linguistic choices.
• The rhetorical constraints and strategies of underrepresented groups.
• The historical development of rhetoric and composition and professional and technical communication in terms of theory, practice, and instruction.

A student-designed concentration is a coherent cluster of at least three courses that are not included in the other concentration chosen by the student.  The courses selected must define a cross-curricular focus that is clearly different from the foci of the predefined disciplinary concentrations listed above and may include classes from other units in the College or across the University. Students should construct concentrations under the guidance of an advisor, with advice from other mentors as needed.  Students must submit a proposal for the concentration that includes a title, a description of the focus, and a tentative or exemplary selection of at least three courses.  Both the advisor and the GPD must approve the proposal and place a signed approval letter in the student’s advising file.  Because course offerings may change, a final description of the concentration (including a title, a description of the focus, and a justification of how courses taken support the focus) must be approved by the student’s advisor (in a signed letter) and submitted with the letter to the GPD before the student enrolls in ENGL 892 Dissertation Seminar.

The study of technology as a political, cultural, economic, systematic, and aesthetic force is a crucial area of analysis in contemporary scholarship.  This concentration prepares students for interdisciplinary work with a focus on domains of technological complexity with foundations in the materiality of rhetorical work.  A major tenet of this concentration is that in addition to studying issues of technology, society, communication, and media design, we also develop practical solutions for the situations we confront.  This concentration prepares students for both academic and industry positions where they can use their skills as researchers and strategists.  Possible areas of research and application include:

• Ethical, social, and political dimensions of information, technology, and networked communication
• Copyright and intellectual property, including the legal implications of technological regulation and change
• Privacy issues in information technologies and media
• Implications of digital methods in the humanities
• Design and development of digital humanities tools
• Technologically mediated communication such as experience design, usability studies, and information architecture
• Visual and participatory cultures

Additional Requirements

Dissertation seminar.

(3 credit hours)

Taken in the semester of the student’s candidacy examination, this course ( ENGL 892 ) supports students in preparing their dissertation prospectus. It sets up writing groups for cohorts of students entering the dissertation stage of their graduate studies.

Dissertation Credits

(minimum of 9 credit hours)

A dissertation is required of all PhD students.  A dissertation prospectus will be submitted after the student’s successful completion of the candidacy exam.  If the student’s proposed dissertation committee approves the prospectus, the student will proceed to research and write the dissertation ( ENGL 899 ). An oral defense of the dissertation will be scheduled after a draft of the completed dissertation is approved by the student’s dissertation committee.

Research Competency

Because the PhD is a research degree, all students are expected to present evidence of mastery of a basic research competency over and above the usual course work.  Students select one of the following three options to meet this requirement:

Foreign Language

To enter candidacy for the doctoral degree, students may present evidence of mastery of a foreign language equivalent to second-year undergraduate facility.  This can be done by transcript, by demonstration of native language proficiency (for those who speak English as a second language), by taking coursework at Old Dominion or elsewhere equivalent to second-year language facility (at Old Dominion University, through language courses numbered 202), by passing a standardized test at the appropriate level, or by passing an examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages geared to second-year language mastery.  A grade of B or above in both semesters of second-year instruction will demonstrate competency in that language.  Evidence of completion of the foreign language requirement should be presented to the GPD as soon as possible in the student’s career and certainly before enrolling in the Dissertation Seminar.

New Media Application

Students may choose the option of presenting evidence of mastery of computer and new media applications beyond the usual knowledge of word processing, spread sheets, projection applications (e.g., PowerPoint), portable document format (pdf), and similar, common applications and software. This would include programming languages such as:

• C, C++, or C#
• Java or JavaScript

In lieu of standardized examinations to test such knowledge, students choosing this option must submit a multimodal digital project in which demonstration of one of the allowed programming languages is paramount.  The project should include:

• a project proposal for approval,
• a project log,
• 3 versions (revisions) of a portfolio of self-produced material,
• a statement of which applications or programs one is presenting and level of expertise,
• and, if needed, a demonstration of facility before members of the PhD Advisory Council, which shall have final say on whether the option has been satisfied.

Projects should be multimodal and interactive. As with seeking credit in a foreign language, students should submit evidence of completion of the requirement to the GPD as soon as possible in their careers and certainly before enrolling in the Dissertation Seminar.

Students whose research requires advanced knowledge of quantitative research design and statistics may show mastery of statistical methods through the following:

• Successful completion of one graduate-level course in statistics with a grade of B or higher (courses completed as part of the student’s master’s degree may count for this requirement).  Courses offered at ODU that may fulfill this requirement include:
• Successful completion of two undergraduate-level courses in quantitative research design and statistics with a grade of B or higher in both courses.
• Providing evidence to the GPD that they designed and completed a project using statistical methods (e.g., a course project, conference paper, or journal article).

Candidacy Exams

After students have completed all course requirements and research requirements, they must pass a written and an oral examination related to their chosen field. Students who fail either exam will not be allowed to submit their dissertation proposal or to begin work on their dissertation. 

Grade Requirements

All PhD students will be graded on the traditional A, B, C, F scale (with pluses and minuses) in all courses.  Pass/Fail evaluations will be used only in the case of registration for internships or for thesis or dissertation research, or when specifically approved by the director.  Graduate students whose grade point averages fall below 3.00 (B) will be placed on a probationary status.  After two consecutive semesters below this average or the accumulation of two grades of “C” or below, the graduate program director may dismiss the student from the doctoral program.

Time Limit and Continuance 

Students will be required to complete and successfully defend a dissertation prospectus two years after the student passes the Dissertation Seminar, ENGL 892 . Students who take/pass the candidacy exam the spring after ENGL 892 will have two years from the last day of the exam. Students, however, can appeal for an extension by submitting to the PhD GPD 1) a letter that explains the reasons for needing an extension, the length of the extension, and what the student will do during this time to complete and successfully defend the prospectus, and 2) a letter from the dissertation director supporting or dismissing the appeal. The PhD program will consider the student’s appeal and make a decision. If the program does not accept the appeal, the student may be dismissed; this decision is final. If the student does not complete the work according to the approved plan, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Similarly, students will be required to complete, successfully defend, and deposit a dissertation eight years after entering the program. Students, however, can appeal for an extension. For this form to be approved, students will need to submit to the PhD GPD 1) a letter that explains the reasons for needing an extension, the length of the extension, and what the student will do during this time to complete, successfully defend, and deposit the dissertation and 2) a letter from the dissertation director supporting or dismissing the appeal. The PhD program will consider the student’s appeal and make a decision. If the PhD program does not accept the appeal, the student may be dismissed; this decision is final. If the appeal is approved, the student will need to re-validate courses that had been taken eight years prior in accordance with ODU policy and this should be reflected in the student’s proposed plan. If the student does not complete the work according to the approved plan, the student may be dismissed from the program.

Transfer Credit

Twelve graduate hours not used to fulfill the requirements of a degree at other institutions or at Old Dominion University may be applied toward the fulfillment of degree requirements.  Transfer credit is accepted as degree credit at the discretion of the graduate program director.

Financial Aid

Full-time students are eligible to apply for university fellowships and teaching and research assistantships, which are awarded on a competitive basis.

For more information relating to this program and its requirements, please visit website .

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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

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Hampton University Online Welcomes New Director!

We are delighted to announce the arrival of Dr. Katina Ward-James as the new Director of Hampton University Online. Dr. Ward James brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our institution, and we are confident that her leadership will propel us to new heights.

As we embark on this exciting chapter with Dr. Ward-James at the helm, we look forward to continued growth, innovation, and excellence in online education. Her dedication to advancing learning and fostering a collaborative environment aligns seamlessly with the values that define Hampton University Online.

We encourage all members of our community to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Ward-James. Together, let us build on the success of Hampton University Online and create an even brighter future for our students, faculty, and staff.

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Graduation Candidates

General graduation information.

University requirements for undergraduates and graduate students are published in the University Catalog . Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress toward degree completion, and for meeting all graduation requirements.

Prior to the beginning of their final semester, students are strongly encouraged to consult their major and minor advisors regarding their academic progress.

Correspondence regarding graduation applications, status, processing and clearance is being sent via e-mail to the ODU student e-mail address. Students are required by University policy to activate, maintain, and regularly check their ODU e-mail accounts so they will receive important administrative correspondence. Letters will be mailed to the permanent address for students whose e-mail is returned or who have no active University e-mail address. Land-based mail is slower than e-mail and may delay processes for students.

Graduation Hold

Students who are graduating at the end of the current term will have a hold that prevents further registration (only). If you need to take courses beyond your expected graduation date to complete your degree requirements, or wish to change your graduation date, you must e-mail [email protected] to notify the University Registrar that you are continuing in your present degree program (provide your NEW GRADUATION TERM), and to request that the hold be lifted.

Otherwise, this hold remains on the student's record until such time as the student is readmitted to a degree-seeking (2nd bachelor's or master's degree) or non-degree status.

If you have been admitted to a new degree program, this hold will be removed.

Transcripts

Final transcripts are not automatically provided to graduates, but must be requested in writing or using our new online transcript request. There is a fee for each official transcript requested. E-mail requests for transcripts are not accepted. See Transcripts (Requesting Transcripts) for more information.

It can take up to 4-6 weeks after the official degree conferral date for the Graduation staff to review and clear all pending graduation candidates .

Students who need the awarded degree to be reflected on the transcript should check the graduation status in LEO Online before requesting a transcript, and if necessary, indicate "hold for degree" on the transcript request to ensure that the transcript is not produced until the awarded degree has been posted to the academic record.

About Registering for Commencement Ceremony

Students must register to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please review the Commencement ceremony information here .

Students are reminded that participation in commencement ceremonies does not confirm that a degree has been conferred.

Eligibility for Graduation

Important: Students whose degree status is "intended" must meet with their advisor to be declared into a degree program (i.e., BA or BS) before applying for graduation. Students can view their degree status in LEO Online (under Student Records --> View General Student Information ).

ONLY STUDENTS ADMITTED AS DEGREE-SEEKING AND DECLARED INTO A MAJOR AND DEGREE PROGRAM MAY APPLY FOR GRADUATION. See Applying for Graduation for more information.

Graduate and undergraduate students must meet all academic and non-academic requirements before they can be certified as graduates of Old Dominion University.

Information on non-academic requirements and the University Writing Proficiency requirement are provided in the sidebar elements at right.

Applying for Graduation

ONLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY AS DEGREE-SEEKING MAY APPLY FOR GRADUATION. Non-degree students are not eligible to declare a major or apply for graduation.

Undergraduate students who have earned more than 102 academic credits should review the Degree Works evaluation and confirm with the academic advisor that they are on track for graduation.

Recommended Application Deadlines:

Students should apply at least 6 months prior to graduation (see Academic Calendar ) so there is sufficient time to plan for your last semester and make sure all degree requirements are met.

• November 30 for candidates completing degree requirements during the Spring semester (May graduation date)
• February 28 for candidates completing degree requirements during the Summer session (August graduation date)
• June 30 for candidates completing degree requirements during the Fall semester (December graduation date)

Prior to applying for graduation, please review your Degree Works degree evaluation in LEO Online or myODU . Make an appointment with your on-campus or distance learning academic advisor, and your minor advisor, if applicable. (See Academic Advisors for more information.) Have your degree evaluation available for that meeting .

Apply to Graduate, Online!

In order to apply for graduation, undergraduate students must have a minimum of 90 earned hours (senior standing), 15 of which must be institutional (ODU) hours, and a minimum 2.0 GPA. The degree must be declared (not "intended").

Graduate students must have a minimum of 12 earned hours, all of which must be institutional (ODU) hours, and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

If your advisor or graduate program director confirms that you are eligible to apply for graduation and you meet the above criteria , apply online using the application for graduation that is provided in LEO Online or myODU . The Apply to Graduate link is found under the Graduation menu in LEO Online.

Applications are left open past the recommended deadlines to accommodate students who apply late. To be sure your name is included in the Commencement Exercise Program distributed at the ceremony, however, you must apply at least 2 months prior to graduation.

You may apply for graduation and commencement at the same time. If you do not wish to attend commencement, you will still be able to complete the application for graduation only. Once your application is complete, you will receive a confirmation email to your ODU e-mail address.

On the Graduation menu, you can view your graduation application and your graduation status.

Once the degree is certified, but not before the official degree conferral date , the degree status will be changed to "Awarded," usually within 4 weeks after the official degree conferral date.

About Registering for Commencement Ceremonies

Questions about the application for graduation should be addressed to [email protected] with your full name and University ID number.

Academic Advisors

Click for full Directory of Advisors .

Graduation Dates

There are three graduation dates each year: May, August, and December.

Specific graduation dates for a term can be found in the University Catalog and the Academic Calendar published for each semester at the Registrar's web site.

Students should plan to participate in ceremonies as follows:

• Students who plan to complete degree requirements by the end of the Spring semester participate in May commencement ceremonies.
• Students who plan to complete degree requirements by the end of the Summer session participate in May commencement ceremonies. There is no summer commencement ceremony.
• Students who plan to complete degree requirements in the Fall semester participate in December graduation ceremonies.

Submission of Theses and Dissertations

• Instructions for submission of theses and dissertations are provided at the Graduate School website .
• Graduate students who have applied for graduation must electronically submit their thesis or dissertation to ProQuest according to the schedule published in the academic calendar , for the term (or part of term) in which they are graduating. Missing the deadline may delay graduation. The schedule below provides a general guideline of due dates.  

About Commencement

Commencement ceremonies may take place the day before the end of semester degree conferral date; however the official degree conferral date is the same for all graduates and may be different from the date of your commencement ceremony.

Participation in the commencement ceremony does not certify that a student has graduated. The degree is awarded and posted to the student's transcript after all grades are reported to the Office of the University Registrar and posted to the student's record, and all degree requirements have been met. The official graduation date is the end of the semester in which all requirements are completed .

Graduation Checklist

Graduate students.

Before you apply for graduation, review your Degree Works degree evaluation and consult with the Graduate Program Director for your academic program to ensure that all program/degree requirements have been met.

Undergraduate Students

Before you apply for graduation, review your Degree Works degree evaluation in LEO Online and then make sure you have completed the following:

• Check General Education requirements : Check the University Catalog to be aware of the General Education requirements and any additional requirements that may apply to your major (some majors may differ or have specific General Education course requirements).
• Check Foreign Language requirements : Refer to the University Catalog to be sure you have met the foreign language requirement for the University and for your major/college.
• Evaluation of all transfer work : All transfer work must be evaluated by Admissions and posted to the academic record. Courses taken at another school during your last semester may delay your graduation .
• Departmental advising : Be sure you have been advised by your major (and minor) chief departmental advisor or distance learning advisor. Be sure your major is declared and your degree does not show as "intended."
• Senior Assessment : All graduating seniors must complete the required senior assessment survey during their final semester before graduation. A separate assessment is provided for distance learning students.
• Writing Proficiency : All undergraduate students, including those students who are seeking a second baccalaureate degree, must satisfy the University's Writing Proficiency requirement prior to the date of graduation. For information on meeting this requirement, please see the University Requirements section of this website.
• If you received an e-mail from the Registrar's Office with instructions about applying for graduation, please respond accordingly.

About Registering for Commencement

You may apply for graduation and commencement at the same time, all through LEO Online. If you do not wish to attend commencement, you will still be able to complete the application for graduation only. Once your application is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.

Students must register to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please review the graduate information here .

Graduation Requirements

• University Requirements
• Graduate Student Registration Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

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University Writing Proficiency Requirement

All undergraduate students must satisfy the University Writing Proficiency Requirement before the degree can be awarded.

Graduating Student Assessments

The Senior Assessment and Graduate Assessment can both be accessed via the Graduating Student Assessment page.

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Dissertations & Theses

Find electronic odu theses and dissertations, odu dissertations and theses in print, department codes for odu theses & dissertations in print.

• Non-ODU Dissertations and Theses
• Interlibrary Loan or Purchase

As of 2016, ODU instituted an Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) program -- electronic format is now required for all students. All dissertations and theses are submitted and available electronically through ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses @ ODU and also through the university's institutional repository  ODU Digital Commons  (as the University's official copy). No new print copies are available in the University Libraries.

ODU Dissertations : In 2019, an additional 2,488 dissertations and some theses back to 1976 were added to ODU Digital Commons. In the past all dissertations were required to be deposited in ProQuest. ProQuest digitized the print and made them available in their Dissertations & Theses database. ODU purchased those digital copies to add to Digital Commons. All pre-2016 dissertations (and some theses that went to ProQuest) are still available in print in the library stacks on the 4th floor LD4331 - until further notice and at least through Spring semester 2024. 

ODU Theses : The 3,000+ theses that never went to ProQuest and were only available in print in the Perry Library have been pulled from the shelves and will be available digitally starting in late 2023.

Print Copies : Pre-2016 print copies of all ODU theses and dissertations are available in Special Collections and University Archives on the 3rd floor or Perry Library (email [email protected] for more information or to make an appointment).

For information about submitting ETDs, including the official guide, go to the  ODU Graduate School Resources  page.

• ODU Digital Commons for Theses and Dissertations Link to ODU Electronic Theses and Dissertations in the university's institutional repository. 1976-present for most dissertations, and for theses 2016-present.
• Dissertations & Theses @ ODU Subset of the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text database that is limited to ODU dissertations and theses available online. Keep in mind that, while most dissertations will be available here, most master's theses were not required to go to ProQuest until 2016. (Restricted to VIVA/ODU)

You can search for ODU dissertations and theses in Monarch OneSearch on the Libraries homepage at odu.edu/library . If the item is available electronically, you will get a link; the majority of theses, published prior to 2016, are only in print.

Search by author or title, or enter a subject:

Subject example:   psychology and old dominion university and (dissertations or theses)

• Print copies of theses and dissertations may be found both in the fourth floor book stacks and in the Special Collections/University Archives area on the third floor. See Department Codes below.
• WorldCat also includes ODU's theses and dissertations.

Print copies of theses and dissertations are shelved on the 4th floor with the call number LD4331 and one of the following department codes . [Note: As of Fall 2016, theses and dissertations are available online only through ODU Digital Commons .] Call number begins:   LD4331

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Outside view of Engineering Systems Building.

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering: Doctoral Programs

ODU's EMSE department offers two exciting doctoral degrees: the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering and the Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. Both of these doctoral degrees are designed to let students develop world-class expertise in their chosen fields of study.

The Ph.D. maximizes the research experience that should be expected in a high-quality doctoral research program. Each student is advised and mentored to evolve into extraordinary, multidisciplinary scholars and researchers.

The D.Eng. is designed to develop world-class professional systems engineers and engineering managers. This is achieved by combining the highest-level education and practical business experience. We do this by integrating EMSE departmental capabilities with the relevant problems and environment of a sponsoring company. This ensures that each student advances theoretical knowledge in a practical context.

PH.D. PROGRAM

Application dates and requirements can be found here.

D.ENG. PROGRAM

Our Ph.D. and D.Eng. degrees have been built to leverage the research and know-how of the faculty. We purposefully chose to build the programs on the unique relationship that exists between a faculty advisor and the doctoral student, and work to build a collaborative environment.

• For a Ph.D. student, collaboration means that we seek to work together on highly focused problems that are defined by the faculty's research agenda and objectives. The real benefit to the student lies in being advised by a subject matter expert in a field, and the interaction that comes from having an advisor that has a vested interest in the dissertation research.
• For a D.Eng. student, collaboration lies in the transfer of know-how, and in some cases technology, that a faculty member has developed as part of his or her research, to companies as part of the link that a student forms between the EMSE department and the student's sponsoring company. The benefit to the advisee lies in the support that they will be provided from faculty expertise, which will be augmented by the practical know-how of an advisor from within the organization sponsoring the doctoral project.

Our admission process, curriculum, and mentoring activities are all developed to support this focus.

We train doctoral student to successfully be able to take on the challenges encountered working in highly specialized fields in industry, government, and academia. A good part of this success lies in being able to obtain one of these coveted jobs.

Luckily, very few individuals with doctoral degrees in engineering will ever find themselves unemployed. Deceptively, however, just getting started in a desired field can take quite some doing. Recent graduates are often surprised to find that the degree that they have obtained, the highest level in a field, provides little in the way of a competitive advantage. Doctoral degrees are a minimum entry requirement for jobs that demand doctoral level studies. Desirable jobs are competitively awarded, and the competition is fierce. Completing a Ph.D. or D.Eng. is generally not enough. Successful graduates will have treated their years as doctoral students as a career development phase. Students must have a holistic, well-developed "curriculum vitae" on graduation. They must be able to substantiate their claims of scholarly expertise, research skill, pedagogic prowess, and the ability to obtain funding and other support for all of these activities.

A lot is demanded of the individual, not only as a student, but also as professionals. The student will leverage their own actions by establishing a support network, advising, and mentoring. To ensure that these leveraging activities are effective, it is necessary that the student finds or works within a tightly bound field of study defined by the expertise of the faculty in the department.

To be successful requires high levels of self-reliance to define uncharted paths and lines of inquiry, self-motivation to keep progressing, and the willingness and determination to commit extensive hours to study and development. In the end, even this may not be enough when faced with the prospect of reading hundreds of journal articles and books. There is a glue that keeps the student going, that makes looking for another relevant paper exciting. It is a trait that all successful doctoral students share: passion for their field of study.

Finally, the student that starts on a broad path of career development from an early point in their doctoral studies will essentially make the greatest gains. This means that the most successful doctoral students start their studies knowing what they are passionate about.

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Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

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Hands-on Teaching Experience Empowers 2024 Graduate

By Kelsey Kendall | May 29, 2024

Over the last several weeks, Sarah Oliver has received hands-on experience in front of a classroom through the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies’ Teacher in Residence program. Now, she is set to graduate in May with a degree in elementary education.

The Hampton native came to ODU in Fall 2021 after earning an associate at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Most of her experience through ODUGlobal has been within Darden College, preparing for a career in teaching young students.

Oliver said each class she took leading up to her student teaching experience taught her invaluable information that will help her in her future classroom – which she already knows will be decorated with bees.

The most impactful experience was the Teacher in Residence program, she said.

The cohort of fellow student teachers, a University supervisor who assists the student teachers outside of the classroom and classroom coaches provided advice and help where Oliver needed it. Overall, Oliver feels ready for her first teaching job.

“That’s the best part of the program for me – all the support,” Oliver said.

Oliver, an elementary education major, is currently a resident teacher at Hunter B. Andrews PreK-8 School in Hampton teaching third grade, and she will be there until school lets out for the summer.

Throughout the semester, Oliver watched her coach, the teacher she was paired with, lead classroom instruction before slowly starting to get more involved. She would step in to help with a lesson here and there. By week five, Oliver was the main teacher in the classroom leading all the lessons with guidance from her support system.

“It was scary at first, but it was so worth it,” Oliver said. “Because I have learned so, so much, and I gained a lot of confidence in my ability to actually be a teacher.”

She will walk away at the end of the year with practical experience in classroom management and teaching strategies. She knows how she wants to make her lessons fun and engaging, so Oliver likes to throw jokes in while teaching. She learned that from her coach. It helps capture the third graders’ attention and build a relationship with them, Oliver said.

Everything she learned will help her as she gets ready to step in front of her own class for the first time. The University supervisor let the group “go shopping” for classroom supplies to help get their classrooms started. Oliver grabbed books for varying reading levels, counters and dice for math lessons, crayons and stickers.

Oliver will start at Bassette Elementary School in Hampton next year. Whether she will teach third or fourth grade is still undecided, but she is excited for either.

“Sarah is a very hard worker, very dedicated and focused, driven,” said La-Neka Brown, director of the Teacher in Residence program. “What I really appreciate about her, and I would say will make her an excellent educator, is she knows how to buckle down and get it done.”

Brown said Oliver piloted the program in Hampton. As the “lone soldier” on the Peninsula, Brown said it would have been easy for Oliver to end up isolated and feeling like she was in it all alone. That was not what happened, though. Brown was impressed by the way Oliver reached out to the other student teachers and the University supervisor for help when she needed it.

“I think that comes from a place of strength and confidence that she knows what she knows,” Brown said. “What she doesn’t know, she’s willing to learn from her colleagues.”

This was the ninth year of Darden College’s Teacher in Residence program and there have been multiple changes throughout the years. This year was the first time the student teachers were paid and there were changes to how long the program lasted. The cohort of six student teachers – five in Norfolk schools and Oliver in Hampton – entered their classrooms in January and will remain there until the end of the K-12 school year.

This provides new opportunities for the cohort to experience the end of the school year, which includes state testing and getting ready for the fall. They will learn how teachers pass on information for students with specialized learning plans and close their classroom for summer break.

An extended paid research residency for undergraduate education majors provides new opportunities for teacher residents to experience what it is like to work for their host districts. They learn the culture and climate of not only their host school but the hiring district. This makes the transition into being a classroom teacher easier, because they have a network of people from their residency experience who will support them as a new teacher.

Brown said there are plans to expand the program so more students in undergraduate teacher licensure programs can get financial support and residency experience.

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Online Master of Public Administration and Leadership

• Graduate Programs |

Take your career to the next level.  This online degree will provide you with the confidence and skills needed to lead your team, organization and community to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

As a Master of Public Administration and Leadership student at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, you are part of a community committed to making the world a better place for all. Collaborate with your classmates, learn from diverse perspectives and experiences, and build on your foundation of knowledge to develop skills you can immediately put into practice to lead the change you are most passionate about.

Program Highlights

The Online Master of Public Administration and Leadership is designed for mid-career professionals who are passionate about public service and driving change in their communities. ​​​​​

Curriculum is designed for maximum flexibility for working professionals. Each semester, students will typically enroll in a core course and a specialization or elective course, adding up to 32 credit hours (20 core course hours, 12 elective hours). Students typically complete the program in 5 semesters. With part time coursework, students can complete the degree in 6+ semesters.

View MPAL Advising Sheet

View Sample Course Syllabi

Core Courses

• 6051: Introduction to Public Affairs and Orientation to the Program
• 6060: Managerial Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• 6055: Judgment in Managerial Decision-Making (first six weeks)
• 6045: Fundamentals of Budgeting & Financial Administration (second six weeks)
• 6075: Data, Models and Evaluation
• 7990: Capstone
• 6530: Negotiation (first seven weeks)

Specialization Track

• Strategic Management (PUBAFRS 7557) - Required
• Contract Management (PUBAFRS 7550)
• Performance Management (PUBAFRS 7554)
• Project Management (PUBAFRS 7555)
• Public Management in a Hybrid World (PUBAFRS 7650)
• Policy Formulation and Implementation (PUBAFRS 6000) - Required
• Public Sector Economics (PUBAFRS 6030)
• Business Government Relations (PUBAFRS 5750)
• Risk and Decision Analysis in Public Affairs (PUBAFRS 5770)
• Administration of Criminal Justice Policy (PUBAFRS 5506) - Required
• Evidence-Based Practice in Criminal Justice (SOCIOLOGY 5950)
• Offender Decision-Making and Prisoner Reentry (SOCIOLOGY 5925)
• Criminal Justice Policy (PUBAFRS 7507)
• Juvenile Justice System Policy (PUBAFRS 7508)
• Nonprofit Management and Governance (PUBAFRS 7553) - Required
• Nonprofit Financial Management (PUBAFRS 7533) - Required
• Social Change Advocacy (PUBAFRS 5120) 
• Fundraising and Philanthropy for Nonprofit Organizations (PUBAFRS 5590)*
• Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations (PUBAFRS 5592)
• Grant Writing (PUBAFRS 7501)*
• Strategic Management (PUBAFRS 7557)

*Currently in-person only

Apply Today

If you would like to confirm your eligibility before applying, e mail your resume to  [email protected] . Include a short statement explaining how your resume reflects administrative or analytical experience.

Please also review the information below.

Application Deadlines:

• Autumn cohort: June 15
• Spring cohort: Nov. 1

Eligibility

Eligible individuals must have at least three years of administrative or analytical post-baccalaureate experience. Experience is assessed on an individual basis, however, the following indicators are useful in understanding how the Glenn College defines administrative OR analytical experience.

Administrative Experience could include:

• Responsibility for personnel decisions (hiring/supervising/evaluating) in an organization
• Responsibility for managing day to day program or organizational operations
• Responsibility for formulating budget decisions in an organization
• Increasing responsibility over time

Analytical Experience could include:

• Responsibility for researching and writing reports that inform decision-making in an organization
• Previous master's degree

Email your resume to [email protected] to confirm eligibility before applying. Include a short statement explaining how your resume reflects administrative or analytical experience.

If you’re not eligible, you may be interested in our professional development opportunities .

Application and Affordability

Master of Public Administration and Leadership (Online MPAL) Application

Program Code:  PUBADM-MPL

The status will first become available two to three days after your application is received. Visit  appstatus.osu.edu   to check the status of your application during the admissions process.

Application Fee:

• $60 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants
• This fee is nonrefundable

Graduates of The Ohio State University applying to an online degree program are eligible for an application fee waiver .

View program affordability

View College and University Funding Opportunities

Ohio State's Scholarship Universe

Statement of Purpose & Resume/CV

The statement of purpose should address your academic and career goals, your interest in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and how your education and work experience qualify you for admission. There is no length requirement for the personal statement.

Resume or CV:  Be sure to include work experience, volunteer activities, academics and professional honors, honorary societies, extracurricular activities, offices held, any publications and other significant activities.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capability and experiences of the applicant. The letters should speak to the applicant’s ability to excel in an academic professional program. 

Requirements:

• Letters must be submitted electronically using the  online application  (select “Public Policy and Management”).
• While completing your online application, please provide your recommender’s name and email address. The Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions will send an email to the recommenders instructing them to complete a short assessment and upload a PDF recommendation letter. 
• Inform your letter writers that they will receive an email from Ohio State once you submit the online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure letters of recommendation are completed by posted deadlines. 
• If recommenders experience difficulties accessing the link or using the online system, please contact the Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions directly at  [email protected] .
• Letters of recommendation sent directly to the Glenn College will not be accepted.

Transcripts

Upload transcripts from  ALL  of the universities and colleges you attended with your online application as an attachment. 

• Transcripts are required, even for classes transferred from another institution, including classes attended during high school or completed through a study abroad program.
• Transcripts are not required for coursework completed at Ohio State. 
• Submit copies (front and back) of official transcripts. Please submit only scanned images of official transcripts issued by your institution’s registrar. Ohio State will not accept web reports, advising reports, self-reported scores or transfer credit on another school’s transcript.

Transcripts submitted with the online application are considered unofficial and, if admitted, you will be required to submit an official set of transcripts with statement of degree (if appropriate) prior to enrolling at Ohio State.

Online Learning and Benefits

Student Services and Benefits: Ohio State's online students are eligible to receive support services and benefits from many organizations across the university.

Want to find out if you are ready for online learning? Take The Ohio State University's online readiness assessment .

Learn about the online student experience at Ohio State.

The online MPAL program is primarily offered as an asynchronous learning experience. However, on occasion a class may schedule synchronous sessions two to three times per semester to allow for deeper engagement between the instructor and students.

Attend an Information Session

If you're considering a master's degree at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming graduate information sessions. Our team will discuss our degree programs, student benefits and the application process.

We have both in person and virtual information sessions available. Please register by selecting the preferred date and  note all times are for the Eastern time zone (Ohio). We hope to see you there!

Virtual Information Sessions via Zoom:

• Monday, May 20, 2024 at 12:30pm

Unable to attend? We'd still love to talk with you about turning your passions into policy. Please  set up a meeting to speak with our graduate program managers about your interest to get personalized support in the admissions process. 

Student Stories

Meet blake petty.

“We look at a problem or issue and see it from multiple perspectives. As opposed to a traditional class where you just learn from the instructor, we are encouraged to bring our experience to class and learn from one another.”

Looking for Professional Development?

The Glenn College is proud to support public administration professionals through a lifetime of leadership while building your passion and helping you develop new skills to improve public service.

For More Information:

Connect with the mpal team.