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Rooted in Theory, Embodied in Practice
Upon entering the program, doctoral students are encouraged to develop a focus within a dimension of leadership studies that is of personal interest to them and will drive their research throughout. With courses rooted in theory and enhanced by the education, experience, and in-depth knowledge of core faculty and disciplinary experts, students can expect a dynamic learning experience that meets the needs of an ever-changing world.
Required Courses (39 credits)
A total of 60 credits is required for program completion, 39 of which are from required courses and 21 from electives. All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Foundational Courses
- DPLS 700 Leadership Theory
- DPLS 701 Organizational Theory
- DPLS 703 Global Issues & Policy Analysis
- DPLS 745 Ethics & Leadership Studies
Research Courses
- DPLS 720 Principles of Research (Prerequisite for DPLS 722 and DPLS 723)
- DPLS 722 Quantitative Data Analysis
- DPLS 723 Qualitative Research Theory & Design
- DPLS 730 Proposal Seminar
- DPLS 735 Proposal Defense (1 credit)
- DPLS 736 Dissertation (5 credits)
Contemporary Leadership Studies Courses
Students are required to take a minimum of 3 courses for 9 credits:
- DPLS 706 Leadership & Diversity
- DPLS 708 Leadership, Forgiveness, & Restorative Justice*
- DPLS 711 Organizational Culture
- DPLS 716 Social Construction of Leadership
- DPLS 727 Complexity & Leadership Studies
- DPLS 728 Conceptual Framework & Research Design
- DPLS 741 The Art & Practice of Dialogue
- DPLS 756 Leadership & Psychology
- DPLS 757 Power & Influence in Leadership
*Servant Leadership focus
Elective Courses (21 credits)
Includes Servant Leadership focus courses (noted with an asterisk), as well as any courses from the Contemporary Leadership Studies section once the credit requirement is fulfilled. The modality of these courses, (immersion or online) will be posted prior to registration.
- DPLS 705 Leadership & Social Justice
- DPLS 707 Leadership & Technology
- DPLS 709 Leadership & Spirituality
- DPLS 710 Planning for Change
- DPLS 713 Leadership & Law
- DPLS 714 Writing for Publication (1 credit)
- DPLS 717 Leadership & Film
- DPLS 718 Ways of Knowing: Teaching, Learning, Leadership
- DPLS 719 Emergent Organizational Change
- DPLS 726 Advanced Qualitative Research
- DPLS 729 Computer Analysis of Qualitative Data
- DPLS 743 Leadership & Consulting
- DPLS 744 Leadership, Language, & Culture
- DPLS 746 Leadership & Applied Ethics
- DPLS 747 Leadership & Classical Ethics
- DPLS 748 Leadership & Feminist Ethics
- DPLS 749 Leadership & Ecology Ethics
- DPLS 750 Leadership & Post-Modern Ethics
- DPLS 751 Leadership & History
- DPLS 755 Leadership & Communications
- DPLS 780 Servant Leadership*
- DPLS 781 Listen, Discern, Decide*
- DPLS 782 Foresight & Strategy*
- DPLS 783 Seminar in Servant Leadership (1 credit)*
*Servant Leadership focus
Independent Studies
Students/candidates may take up to 12 credits of independent study. The intended use of these credits is for student's to expand upon their dissertation topic. The student/candidate will be assigned a pre-candidacy advisor or dissertation chair, who will work with the student/candidate to set expectations and define deliverables for dissertation topic research.
Mentorship or Internship
Students/candidates may take up to 6 credits of mentorship or internship that enhances and relates to their DPLS coursework. Students/candidates must submit a proposal to their advisor/chair that describes the purpose of the mentorship or internship, identifies the mentor or organization, and defines deliverables. The proposal must be approved by the advisor/chair.
Transfer Credits
Students are allowed to transfer a maximum of 12 PhD level credits from another institution to be applied in lieu of independent study credits.
Course Catalog & Descriptions
All course descriptions may be found here.
Student Expectations
An ability to read and write critically, broadly, and in-depth is a fundamental component of the PhD program. Students should expect significant reading assignments in each class, which are essential for vibrant course discussions and research for written assignments. In order to facilitate and demonstrate learning in the field of Leadership Studies, students are also expected to write in an analytical and scholarly manner.