Leadership Studies, PhD

Leadership Studies is a post-master’s, research intensive, interdisciplinary terminal degree. Individuals entering this program are typically individuals who hold master’s degrees in academic and other professional disciplines, have several years of successful professional/leadership experience, and are interested in preparing themselves for leadership roles in educational settings; faculty positions in colleges or universities; or leadership positions in businesses, human resource institutions and other organizations. Students in the program come from a wide variety of professional fields, including elementary and secondary education, higher education, business, law, law enforcement, government, medicine, nursing, healthcare, psychology, and social work. The program culminates with students engaging in original, independent, social science research. Course work is completed in a hybrid format with combination of synchronous and asynchronous online class meetings and face to face class meetings.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students in the Leadership Studies program are expected to be able to:

• Apply theoretical perspectives of leadership to influence and motivate human behavior. 
• Develop, expand, and communicate understandings of leadership in context of their multidisciplinary and diverse professional knowledge bases.
• Be a critical consumer and producer of a variety of research, evaluation, and data relevant to leadership, organizational behavior and/or practice in their chosen field.
• Continually reflect upon, analyze, and improve leadership actions and skills to improve individual, institutional, and societal outcomes.
• Become an active member of the community of leadership scholars; contributing both individually and collaboratively.

Admission Requirements

• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Professional Resume
• Academic Writing Sample
• Statement of Purpose - This should be approximately two pages in length, describing your career goals, the reasons for seeking admission to the Ed.D. program, and how this program will help you achieve your goals.

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement. 

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements