PhD in Leadership Studies
Get started on your Journey
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
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
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.
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
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:
- Intermediate Leadership Theories
- Leadership Assessment
- 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
- Oral Communication for Leaders
- Conflict Management for Leaders
- Leader Decision Processes
- Resource Management I
- Management Synthesis for Leadership
- Legal Issues
- Leadership Ethics and Morality
- Policies, Values and Partnerships
- Intermediate Research Methods
- Advanced Research Methods
- Experimental Design and Statistics I and II
- Research Synthesis for Leadership
- Dissertation Defense
- Literature Review
- Dissertation Proposal
- Applied Data Analysis
- Field Based Research
Admission and Academic Requirements
Upcoming Events
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 all of School of Business Faculty.
Mark Green
Esther Gergen
Phyllis Duncan
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.