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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed for those who want to advance to more complex leadership positions. The program combines theory and application in order to graduate "practitioner-scholars" who can provide enlightened leadership in a wide variety of fields including business, education and health care administration.

The program develops sophisticated leaders who:

  • Transform their professional community through enhanced leadership skills
  • Build networks across a wide range of fields including education, public service, business and health care administration
  • Promote better decision making and create engaged teams
  • Apply advanced theory and research to empower their teams

Professor and students talking at conference table

PhD in Leadership Studies Program Overview

The PhD in Leadership Studies will help you develop into an extremely sophisticated leader ready to assume executive-level responsibility and strategic visioning roles. Effective leadership is an in-demand skill across all industries.

OLLU’s Leadership Studies doctoral degree is designed for busy, working professionals on the rise in their careers. The program format was designed to enhance your career while you are still earning the degree. OLLU offers:

  • Courses that meet every other weekend to allow you to balance study with your career demands
  • A cohort model with a built-in network for support and connections across industries
  • Faculty who walk you through the dissertation process
ACBSP Accredited

Accreditation

This business program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education, supporting, celebrating and rewarding excellence on a diverse global scale.

Cohort Model

The PhD program is a cohort program, which includes approximately 15-25 participants taking courses together. The cohort model provides individuals with opportunities to work collaboratively to meet the demands of the program.


Program Benefits

 
Preparation for executive-level leadership

 
Built-in networking across many fields

 
Guidance through the dissertation process

What Will I Learn in This PhD in Leadership Studies Degree?

Enrolling in the PhD in Leadership Studies will give you a rewarding academic journey, including 75 credit hours. The program is thoughtfully crafted to provide you with a thorough comprehension of leadership dynamics in diverse fields. This program is a combination of rigorous coursework and research, culminating in a dissertation that serves as the highlight of your academic pursuit.

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect to go through during your learning journey:

Foundational Knowledge: You'll start with coursework laying the groundwork in leadership theories and practices. This includes understanding leadership's complex tasks and exploring different theories.

Global and Inter-organizational Perspectives: A significant focus will also fall on leadership beyond borders, including intra-organizational, inter-organizational, and global leadership. These courses prepare you to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

Policy and Research Insight: You will also have the chance to engage with policy development at the leadership level and delve into seminal societal debates. 

Dissertation Journey: The final stretch of your program involves hours dedicated to your dissertation. This includes a literature review, proposal development, applied data analysis, and field-based research, culminating in a dissertation defense.

Two student talking and studying

 

Is a Doctorate in Leadership Studies Worth It?

Whether a PhD in Leadership Studies is worthwhile depends on your career aspirations and personal goals. Pursuing a PhD in Leadership Studies can be valuable, particularly for those aiming to advance in academia, executive leadership, or consultancy roles. This advanced degree enhances your credibility and deepens your understanding of leadership dynamics, which is crucial in high-level management and policy-making positions. 

The specialized knowledge and skills gained will set you apart in competitive job markets and open doors to prestigious roles and opportunities that specifically seek or require a doctoral-level education in leadership.

In addition to professional advancement, a PhD in Leadership Studies provides extensive networking opportunities. Engaging with peers, mentors, and leaders in the field will lead to collaborations, research opportunities, and connections that will significantly boost your career.

Areas of Study

The sequence of courses is designed around four broad areas. The four-course leadership sequence progresses from theories of leading individuals and small groups through leadership in international organizations. The applied courses improve practitioner skills in the areas of communication, management and legal/ethical issues. The policy development courses introduce students to seminal arguments for and against a variety of societal issues. The leadership research sequence provides students the needed skills to conceive, design and conduct their doctoral dissertation. The leadership electives are taken in the last year of study concomitant to work on the dissertation. The areas of study include:

The Complexity of the Leadership Task

  • Leadership Theories
  • Intra-organizational Leadership
  • Inter-organizational Leadership
  • Global Leadership
  • Synthesis of Leadership and Research Theories
  • Leadership Theories Synthesis for Leadership
  • Readings in Leadership

Applied Courses for Leaders

  • Communication
  • Management
  • Legal and Ethical
  • Policy Development at the Leadership Level

The Complexity of Leadership Research

  • Intermediate Research Methods
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Experimental Design and Statistics I
  • Experimental Design and Statistics II
  • Research Synthesis for Leadership
  • Applied Leadership Research

Leadership Electives

  • Special Topics
Student thinking and looking at what is in front of him

Courses in the PhD in Leadership Studies Degree

The interdisciplinary doctorate is designed as a 75-credit hour sequence of courses beginning with intensive coursework and culminating with the dissertation. Students complete 57 credit hours of required coursework, nine credit hours of electives and nine credit hours spent researching and writing an original dissertation.

The course sequence progresses from theories of leading individuals and small groups through leadership in international organizations. The applied courses improve practitioner skills in the areas of communication, management and legal/ethical issues. The policy development courses introduce students to seminal arguments for and against a variety of societal issues. The leadership research sequence provides students the needed skills to conceive, design and conduct their doctoral dissertation. The areas of study include:

  • Leadership Theories
  • Intra-organizational Leadership
  • Inter-organizational Leadership
  • Global Leadership
  • Synthesis of Leadership and Research Theories
  • Leadership Theories Synthesis for Leadership
  • Historical Leadership Theories
  • Advanced Leadership Theories

  • Communication
  • Management
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Policy Development at the Leadership Level

  • Intermediate Research Methods
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Experimental Design and Statistics 
  • Research Synthesis for Leadership

  • Dissertation Defense
  • Literature Review
  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Applied Data Analysis
  • Field Based Research

Admission and Academic Requirements

Leadership Studies Department

The Leadership Studies Department at OLLU is an active and dynamic community. The department publishes an online magazine, features student and alumni profiles, and holds regular workshops and information events. The department also sends out weekly short emails to leaders interested in brief, researched-based leadership topics. Learn more about the activities of the department, read the “Lamp Lighters” online magazine and sign up for the “Take 1 Minute to Think About Leadership” weekly email. Learn more.

Faculty

All of the full-time leadership studies faculty members hold doctoral degrees. In addition, they have extensive professional experience from the business, public service, military and nonprofit fields. They bring the combination of academic and professional experience to the classroom to develop leadership skills in students that carry across all disciplines. View School of Business Faculty.

Mark GreenMark Green

Professor and Chair 

Esther GergenEsther Gergen

Professor

Phyllis DuncanPhyllis Duncan

Professor

 

Professor and students sitting talking in office

What Can You Do With a PhD in Leadership Studies?

PhD in Leadership Studies enhances academic knowledge and develops practical skills highly applicable in various professional settings. 

Graduates who hold this qualification are equipped to handle complex leadership challenges and make significant contributions to their respective fields. This versatile degree opens up numerous career paths across various industries and disciplines.

Here are some of the career options available to those with a PhD in Leadership Studies:

  • Academic Roles 
  • Organizational Consulting
  • Executive Leadership Positions (CEO, COO, other C-suite roles)
  • Non-Profit Organization Leadership
  • Author or Writer in Leadership Studies
  • Entrepreneur
  • Leadership Coach or Mentor

Tuition & Financial Aid

The PhD in Leadership Studies will take you to the highest level of executive leadership and strategic visioning. It is an investment in your future as a leader.

Tuition Costs
Our Tuition (2024–2025 rate) $3,195 per course
Average Tuition of Peer Online Institutions $4,330 per course

You should begin the Financial Aid application process at the same time that you apply to the graduate program.  To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov . Please list Our Lady of the Lake University, federal school code #003598, as one of the schools to receive your application information. OLLU will receive your results electronically and use them to award your financial aid.

Please note:  You must be officially accepted for admission to the university before a financial aid award can be processed.

FAQs

The program is a 75-credit hour sequence combining intensive coursework and a dissertation. It covers foundational knowledge in leadership theories and practices, specialized skills, global perspectives, policy and research insight, and practical application in leadership research. The program culminates in a dissertation.

The program is ideal for working professionals advancing careers and seeking executive-level responsibilities. Ideal candidates are those who aim to transform their professional community, build networks across various fields, and apply advanced theory in their workplace. 

Applicants must have a master's degree in an appropriate field from a regionally accredited college or university. A preferred GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale in previous master's degree work is recommended. Other requirements include official transcripts, a résumé, and a personal statement.

Graduates can pursue various roles, including academic positions, executive leadership, non-profit organization leadership, authorship in leadership studies, entrepreneurship, and leadership coaching or mentoring roles.

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