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An online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership can be pursued at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

Become an Influential Thought Leader Through Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

We’ll prepare you to influence and invigorate organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher or business leader. Through this online doctoral program, you’ll analyze the impact of prevailing world social, cultural, religious and political conditions and trends on leadership theory and practice. Our Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership is a research-based terminal degree taught from a Christian worldview.

Online w/ Residency
60
August 19, 2024

COVID-19 Update: Concerned about travel? Spring and Summer residencies will be held online for your well-being and convenience.

MAKE A NAME IN YOUR FIELD

Join the ranks of leading contributors to the body of knowledge in organizational leadership research.

FUSE LEADERSHIP THEORY WITH APPLICATION

Explore global economics, leadership dynamics, organizational culture and kingdom business strategies, with an emphasis on practical applications and research.

MASTER YOUR ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Learn to assess organizations by relying on research and evidence, create solutions in response to organizational change and anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). Our programs have also been ranked by it among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for six years in a row. Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership degree program.

Led by our award-winning faculty, concentrations allow you to customize your doctoral program in leadership to your specific area of interest.

EXPLORE DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS NOW

Regent University ranked #2 of Top 25 Accredited Online PhD & Doctoral Degree Programs | Learn.org, 2020
Regent University Ranked #18 of the 30 Most Affordable Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Online Programs, 2019 | AffordableSchools.net

After completing this Ph.D. in leadership online, with a minimal on-campus residency in Virginia Beach, you’ll be able to:

  • Demonstrate expertise in organizational culture and climate, and how values and leaders affect them.
  • Create solutions in response to organizational change and anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives.
  • Positively impact global organizations and communities from a biblical perspective.
  • Facilitate learning from the perspective of the learner and the instructor.

Career Opportunities

  • Executive Leadership for Ministry, Nonprofits & Educational Institutions
  • University Faculty
  • Consulting
33%
Potential increase in pay for a Ph.D. versus a master's degree. | U.S. Census Bureau

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership is a research-based terminal degree that explores organizational leadership in church and denominational contexts.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership – Entrepreneurial Leadership focuses on entrepreneurship in the global marketplace and the leadership dynamics that drive the field.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership – Human Resource Development will enhance your expertise in the dynamics that contribute to the growth of an organization's human resources.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies allows you to customize your program with courses that best meet your unique professional goals. Be equipped to join the ranks of leading contributors to the body of knowledge in organizational leadership research.

Learn More

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership – Organizational Leadership will prepare you to influence and strengthen organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher or business leader. The program focuses on theory and practical components essential to organizational success.

Learn More

2020-2021 Semester Check-In Deadlines:

All new students are expected to check-in for the semester 2 weeks prior to the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session

Semester Check-In

Session Start Date

Session A

Friday, August 14

Monday, August 24

Session M

Friday, September 11

Monday, September 21

Session B

Friday, October 16

Monday, October 26

Session C

Tuesday, January 5

Monday, January 11

Session T

Friday, January 29

Monday, February 8

Session D

Friday, March 5

Monday, March 15

Session E

Friday, April 30

Monday, May 10

Session F

Friday, June 11

Monday, June 21

Doctoral Degree Requirements for Admission

When applying to the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership or the Doctor of Strategic Leadership programs, the admissions committee, comprised of several faculty members, will use a rubric to independently evaluate and score each of the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement in bachelor’s and master’s programs
  • Writing quality
  • Alignment of personal goals to Ph.D. or DSL outcomes
  • Number of years in leadership positions
  • Leadership development and impact
  • Number of leadership positions held

Prerequisites:

Doctoral applicants must:

  • Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by a credential evaluating agency.
  • Submit all application materials such that they are received by the deadline for the semester to which they are applying. Once the application requirements have been fulfilled, an admissions interview may be requested. Interviews are by invitation only.

1. Complete Your Online Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

2. Pay Your $50 Application Fee
Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

3. Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

4. Send Your Professional Resume
Provide an updated copy of your professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes:

  • Employment history with details of leadership responsibilities, skill sets and results – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of responsibilities
  • School, community and church leadership positions – the committee looks at both quantity and quality of positions
  • Service activities in which you have been involved
  • Academic and non-academic honors and distinctions you have received

Your resume should be emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

5. Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs.
The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, our admission office will be able to upload this to your application file.

6. Submit a Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

7. Submit a Leadership Essay (with Citations) or Graduate Degree Paper (with Citations)
Leadership specific writing samples play an important role in helping the Admissions Committee evaluate a doctoral applicant’s research, writing and analytical and problem-solving skills. Your essay should be on “The Most Pressing Leadership Issue of Today” and emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Appl ication Pieces.

ESSAY

Writing samples play an important role in helping the Admissions Committee evaluate a doctoral applicant’s research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Please provide a separate essay to address the topic: “The most pressing leadership issue of today.”

The body (excludes a title page or a reference page) of this writing sample should not exceed one page in length (single spaced, 12-point type).
The Admissions Committee will evaluate the essay based on the following criteria:

  1. Thesis Development and Critical Thinking. The thesis expresses the main idea of the paper in one sentence and informs the reader of the paper’s focus. Critical thinking is the act of examining, analyzing and evaluating information followed by the drawing of accurate conclusions. Thesis development and critical thinking include the following four key elements: (a) thesis, (b) argument, (c) research and (d) analysis.
  2. Organization. The structure or outline of the essay assists with the development of the argument and includes fluid transitions to achieve coherence between paragraphs.
  3. Paragraph Development. The structure of each paragraph within the outline is vital to the overall stability of the essay and includes the use of transitions and language within each paragraph.
  4. Mechanics. Clarity through spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization is vital in any written document.
  5. Style (APA, MLA or other acceptable style). At the doctoral level, it is important to adhere to a particular writing style as required by the specific academic or professional publication in which one desires to be published. Therefore, the applicant should compose the essay in APA, MLA or other acceptable style. In addition, the applicant should identify the style being used in the writing sample. It is important that the writing sample exhibit the style’s guidelines in the areas of: (a) in-text citations, (b) reference list, (c) title, (d) headings, (e) sub-headings, (f) numbers, (g) serial content, (h) quotes, (i) punctuation, etc. While these styles typically require double spacing, we request that, in the case of this writing sample, applicants use single spacing so the essay does not exceed one page.

Your essay should be emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

GRADUATE DEGREE PAPER

If you are opting to submit the Graduate Degree Paper, please ensure this is a submission that contains citations. Your graduate degree paper should be emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

2019-20 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

$995 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


 

Student Fees Per Semester

Enrollment Deposit$250
University Services Fee (Online Students)$550
Residency

$375 per residency

Note: All students are responsible for their own lodging, travel arrangements and incidental expenses.

ENGL 500-01 Graduate Academic Writing Course$70
RU Library Course Fee$50 (one-time fee)

2020-21 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

$995 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


 

Student Fees Per Semester

Enrollment Deposit$250
University Services Fee (Online Students)$600
Residency

$375 per residency

Note: All students are responsible for their own lodging, travel arrangements and incidental expenses.

ENGL 500-01 Graduate Academic Writing Course$70
RU Library Course Fee$50 (one-time fee)

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

TITLE IV LOANS:If students are receiving Title IV Federal Student Loans, they are permitted to enroll in the same course number a maximum of only two semesters. Therefore, doctoral students are encouraged to carefully plan the dissertation/final project stage of their program.

The School of Business & Leadership is committed to the historical foundations of the doctoral degree in which a community of scholars is created among faculty mentors and student scholars. Regent University mirrors this historical tradition by using student cohorts, intensive on-campus residencies and a variety of interactive discussion modes that extend beyond topical course discourse.

The Ph.D. and DSL programs in the School of Business & Leadership include two required residencies, each covering four days and held on the campus of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The first residency covers program orientation and guidelines, the library use course (UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources) as well as in-class instruction for the first two courses of the core curriculum. The second residency focuses on class instruction for the courses to be taken in the semester as well as doctoral program requirements such as comprehensive exams, doctoral dissertation, DSL Integrative Paper and Final Project.

View upcoming residency dates, registration and lodging details.

“I came away from my program at Regent with an increased confidence in my ability to lead an organization and the skills I needed to do it.”

Kevin Beery, Ph.D., 2008 Strategic Leadership

“Two common obstacles preventing people from reaching their dreams are fear and listening to naysayers. Regent helped me develop my calling and credentials so that I can help people move past both to achieve a positive life change.”

Janice Armstrong, Ph.D., 2012 Strategic Leadership

“I was particularly impressed with the highly organized online Ph.D. program. The faculty is second to none when it comes to their intelligence, teaching ability, compassion and their desire to work with students.”

Tom Norbutus, Ph.D., 2012 Human Resource Development

“I was incredibly blessed to learn from committed men and women who were so knowledgeable about their field … but who were also just passionate and committed to their faith and investing in their students.”

Rebekah Woods, Doctor of Organizational Leadership, J.D., 2004, 1994

“It will be the principles of servant leadership that I largely learned at Regent that I'll carry with me. These principles defined me as a corporate leader, and I believe they will define my political leadership.”

Scott Rigell, MBA, 1990 Former U.S. Representative