Doctor of Philosophy 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

Next start: July 12, 2021
72 credits
$827 per credit
4 years to complete
2-3 residencies a year
Cohort-based classes

Hear From Students in the Program

Hi, I'm Charlee Magruder from Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm very excited about being in the Ph.D. Program the first time here at the Center for Leadership Studies in Northwest University, I've been in leadership positions all my life. I've started from when I went to the Naval Academy and my first ship, I was in charge of some 20 young men that we had to get the mission done. And that was my, kind of my, introduction to leadership. I was looking for a college or university that has a Ph.D. program in leadership. But Northwest really stood out, it was really unique, but I thought, what is Northwest? And so I started researching what Northwest was not even know where they were and found out that they had this amazing program.

I like the fact that they integrate faith into the program where it's not forcing you to talk a lot about your faith or evangelizing. It's an integration. I can explore my own faith while I'm doing this program to help me better understand me as I'm going forward and trying to work with others. So I think that's a really good fit.

This doctoral program is that foundational piece that's going to help me figure out more about myself and about leadership and how to step into this next role that I hope to play. If someone is considering the Northwest Ph.D. Program, I'd say, come do it, jump in, be a part of this because it's changing lives. The whole intent of this program is, is to move someone forward, to launch them into a position where they can be a leader out in the rest of the world. To take a leadership role, to be a part of the solution of some of the problems that we're facing in the world today. And that's what this program is designed to do.

My name is Li Lowry. I am the Director for International Education at Northwest University. I came back to live in the States in 2009 when I was asked to, invited to establish the International Student Services Office at NU. At the time, I had been looking and searching for a doctoral program in the area. After learning about the doctoral program, I was attracted by the way this program is set up, the hybrid way, allows me to have family life. In addition to that, my work life as well. I've learned so much from this. You don't have to wait until you finish the degree to be able to use what you've learned.

For anyone who's thinking about doing a PhD and I would say don't just think about it, do your homework, list your pros and cons. And if you're on the verge or on the edge, just do it, because once you jump into it, you'll realize it's such a rewarding experience. You won't regret it.

Would you like to get started right away?

Begin the admission process now by completing our online application form.

How to Apply

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

View Course Descriptions

You can explore program details and course descriptions for this program in our academic catalog.

Go to the Catalog