The ABD Boot Camp Cohort Program: A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Doctoral Attrition in Educational Leadership Using Tinto’s Theory of Student Involvement and Departure

The doctoral degree completion rate in higher education across various disciplines has continued to decline. Currently, attrition rates by program vary from 40-60% across disciplines. This paper examines the implementation and outcomes of the All But Dissertation (ABD) Boot Camp Cohort Program within a Department of Educational Leadership at Tennessee State University. The program addressed a critical situation where nearly 100 students had completed coursework but not their dissertations. Through voluntary enrollment, 40 students opted to join the cohort. The program utilized Vincent Tinto’s Theory of Student Involvement and Departure as its theoretical framework, implementing structured monthly workshops, faculty mentorship, and comprehensive support systems, along with guided use of artificial intelligence tools. Results demonstrate significant success, with nearly 50% of participants (20 of the 40 students) completing dissertations or on track for completion by December 2025, compared to the pre-intervention graduation rate of 48% and the national average of 56% for EdD programs in Educational Leadership. The program’s success highlights the importance of academic and social integration, structured support, targeted interventions, and the innovative use of artificial intelligence tools in the dissertation process. This research contributes to understanding effective strategies for reducing doctoral attrition and provides a replicable model for institutions facing similar challenges.