Your Previous Efforts Matter
You invested years of your life into doctoral study—attending seminars, writing research papers, passing qualifying exams, maybe even drafting chapters of a dissertation. Then life interrupted. You stepped away, and now you’re wondering: Do those credits still count?
The short answer is: Yes.
At Antioch University, we know that leaving a PhD program doesn’t erase the hard work you’ve done. Whether your pause came after one year or four, your efforts matter. That’s why we created a structured, respectful process to help former doctoral students transfer PhD credits, reclaim their academic progress, and finish their PhD with prior coursework—without starting over.
Our PhD in Leadership and Change Completion Pathway is designed to turn past progress into a clear, flexible path forward. If you’re ready to return to doctoral study but unsure whether your previous work still applies, this guide will walk you through how doctoral credit transfer works—and how we support you every step of the way.
Can You Transfer Your Doctoral Credits?
Before you apply, you may be wondering whether you’re eligible to transfer PhD credits into Antioch’s completion program. While every case is unique, here are the general criteria we look for:
- You completed at least 8 credits of doctoral-level coursework at a regionally accredited institution
- Your previous program may have focused on leadership in business, arts & culture, organizational management, community organizing, communications, education, social sciences, public policy, or a related field in which you would like to lead
- You passed qualifying or comprehensive exams and/or began dissertation research (not required, but helpful)
- Your prior work can be mapped to Antioch’s program competencies
You do not need to have started or completed your dissertation. Many of our students paused their studies before reaching that stage.
If you’re unsure whether your prior work meets the criteria, we encourage you to connect with our admissions team. Our goal is to help you determine fit, not to gatekeep your return to doctoral study.
How Antioch Evaluates Transfer Credits: The Crosswalk Model
At Antioch, we use a thoughtful, individualized method called the Crosswalk Model—a detailed evaluation that aligns your previous doctoral coursework with our PhD in Leadership and Change competencies. Those applicants whose prior learning aligns well with these competencies are then invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee.
Here’s how it works:
- Transcript Review
Once you apply, we request transcripts from your previous institution(s) and begin reviewing your doctoral-level coursework. This includes traditional courses, independent studies, and, if applicable, partially completed dissertation work. - Syllabus and Portfolio Matching
You’ll be asked to provide syllabi or course descriptions from your prior program. We examine these closely to see how they align with Antioch’s curriculum, especially in key areas such as research methods, leadership theory, ethics, and systems thinking. - Competency Alignment
Rather than using a one-to-one course equivalency model, Antioch maps your completed work against our core competencies for doctoral study. This ensures that your knowledge and learning—not just your course titles—inform your pathway forward. - Faculty Assessment and Recommendations
A faculty committee will review the Crosswalk and recommend the number of doctoral-level credits (up to 27) that can be transferred into the program. These credits will then be officially applied to your customized learning plan.
The Crosswalk Model reflects our belief that prior learning deserves serious consideration, not arbitrary limits. We know that doctoral work is often interdisciplinary and nonlinear—so we’ve created an evaluation model that reflects that reality.
The result? A PhD with flexible entry, grounded in respect for your academic history.
What Happens After Transfer: Your Custom Learning Plan
Once your transfer credits are approved, you’ll work closely with faculty advisors to design a custom learning plan that builds on your previous work and guides you toward dissertation completion.
Your plan will include:
- Courses or seminars needed to fill any remaining gaps in content, methodology, or professional development
- Residency requirements, where you’ll meet with peers and faculty–in person once per year and at least once virtually (in addition to regular online ProSem meetings throughout the year)
- A structured timeline for proposal development, dissertation research, and defense
- Optional academic writing support, research coaching, or mentorship sessions to ensure steady progress
This learning plan is not “off-the-shelf.” It’s built specifically for you, based on what you’ve done and where you want to go. You won’t repeat work unnecessarily. You’ll move forward with focus.
Many students finish their PhD within two to three years, depending on how much prior credit is accepted and how consistently they’re able to engage.
How to Apply with Transfer Credits: Step-by-Step
Ready to get started? Here’s a breakdown of how to apply to Antioch’s PhD in Leadership and Change Completion Pathway as a transfer student:
1. Connect with Admissions
Schedule a call or attend an info session. Our team will walk you through the program overview and answer questions about eligibility and fit. You’ll also be offered the opportunity to meet with the PhD Completion Pathway Coordinator even before applying.
2. Submit Your Application
Complete the online application, indicating that you’re seeking admission through the Completion Pathway. You’ll also be asked to submit a resume/CV and a statement of purpose explaining your goals and prior experience.
3. Provide Official Transcripts
Request official doctoral transcripts from any regionally accredited institution where you completed doctoral-level coursework. Include any relevant master’s transcripts as well.
4. Upload Supporting Documents
If available, submit syllabi, course descriptions, comprehensive exam summaries, or samples of prior doctoral work (e.g., seminar papers or draft chapters).
5. Participate in the Crosswalk Review
Antioch’s faculty team will conduct the Crosswalk Model evaluation to determine which credits will transfer and how they align with the program’s competencies.
6. Receive Admission Decision
Once your materials are reviewed and your transfer credits are evaluated, you’ll receive an admission decision and proposed completion plan.
7. Enroll and Begin Your Journey
If accepted, you’ll attend orientation, meet your cohort, and begin your first term. From there, you’ll follow your custom learning plan all the way through dissertation completion.
Throughout the process, Antioch staff and faculty remain available to answer questions, offer feedback, and keep you moving forward.
Resources and Support You’ll Receive
Antioch’s Completion Pathway is more than a degree plan—it’s a community of support for returning scholars.
Here’s what you’ll have access to:
- Dedicated faculty advisors and dissertation mentors
- In-person residencies for connection, collaboration, and deep learning
- Online writing and research resources
- Peer cohorts of other mid- and late-career professionals
- A mission-driven environment that supports equity, leadership, and social change
We know that re-entering doctoral study can feel intimidating. Our goal is to make it doable, structured, and affirming—so you can finish what you started.
Ready to Transfer and Complete Your PhD?
You’ve already done the work. The late nights. The research. The intellectual heavy lifting. At Antioch, we see that—and we respect it.
Our PhD in Leadership and Change Completion Pathway helps you turn past progress into a powerful finish.
- Transfer up to 27 doctoral credits
- Create a personalized plan to completion
- Finish your PhD with flexible entry and meaningful support
To learn more or begin your transfer evaluation, visit the PhD Completion Pathway.
You don’t have to start over. You just have to start again.
