Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
Our Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership will prepare you to be a groundbreaking scholar/practitioner capable of conducting and publishing original research. Your work will help develop new theory and practice in the leadership arts. The degree is the ideal preparation for an academic career, or any other calling requiring high order analytical thinking, problem solving, and insightful research.
The Ph.D. requires a total of 72 credits. As a full-time student, a working professional can finish the coursework and dissertation process in four years. Successful completion of the program involves:
- Core courses (36 credits)
- Concentration courses (18 credits)
- Research seminars (6 credits)
- Dissertation courses (12 credits)
- Comprehensive examination
- Dissertation completion
Program Quick Facts
- No GRE required
- 72 credits
- $861 per credit (2023–24)
- 4 years to complete
- 2-3 residencies a year
- Cohort-based classes
Organizational Leadership - Meet Our Faculty
Integrated Course Format by Year
Every Session includes Core, Concentration, and Dissertation coursework.
Note: Course schedule is subject to change.
Year One
- Core Courses: Advanced Leadership Theory, Critical Inquiry, Organizational Theory, Organizational Change
- Concentration Courses: Strategic Thinking & Planning, History of Higher Education, Historical Models of Ministry Leadership, Financial Management, Higher Education Leadership, A Theology of Christian Organizations
- Dissertation Courses: Quantitative Research and Statistics, Qualitative Research
Year Two
- Core Courses: Leadership and Diversity, Organizational Communication, Organizational Culture, Leadership and Ethics
- Concentration Courses: Data-Driven Decision-making, Higher Education Law, Current Issues in Missiology
- Dissertation Courses: Advanced Research Methods, Research Seminars
Year Three
- Core Courses: Doctoral Conference in Organizational Leadership
- Concentration Courses: Managing Innovation, Performance Evaluation in Ministry Organizations, Conflict Management, Higher Education Finance, Transforming Ministry Organizations, Organizational Consulting, Self-Leadership in Organizational Life, Principal Internship (if applicable)
- Dissertation Courses: Research Seminar, Guided Reading, Dissertation Proposal
Year Four
- Dissertation Research and Writing
Hear From Students in the Program
Would you like to get started right away?
Begin the admission process now by completing our online application form.
Transfer Courses
On average, new students transfer in
9corresponding courses,
adding up to around
$7,400in savings.
View Course Descriptions
You can explore program details such as course descriptions and graduation requirements for this program in our academic catalog.
Go to the Catalog
Questions about this program?
I would love to answer any questions about the Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership program that you may have.
Dr. Valerie Rance
Co-Director/Dean of the Center for Leadership Studies
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
425-889-6316