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An alumnus at a meeting: Pursue your Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership online at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

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

Prepare to influence and invigorate organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher, or business leader. Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership will equip you to analyze the impact of prevailing world social, cultural, religious, and political conditions and trends on leadership theory and practice. We launched the first online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, in 1995. Join the legacy of this research-based terminal degree taught from a Christian worldview. Customize your program with concentrations and be mentored by seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report, 2023, and has also been ranked as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, 2023-24. Experience a transformative Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program.

Online
60
January 13, 2025

Careers | Concentrations | Courses | Admissions | Tuition

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.

BE MENTORED DURING THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Gain a mentor through the School of Business & Leadership Executive Mentor Program. Receive insights into your career’s growth trajectory, networking skills, and professional development.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE THROUGH REGENT’S PH.D. IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 9 consecutive years (2015-23). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program.

Explore Dissertation Abstracts

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

After completing this Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, you can:

  • 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

Ecclesial Leadership

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

Entrepreneurial Leadership

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

Human Resource Development

The 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.

Individualized Studies

The 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.

Organizational Leadership

The Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Organizational Leadership can 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.

The foundational methodology of biblical exegesis, principles of textual hermeneutics and socio-rhetorical criticism as it relates to organizational leadership studies.
Exploration of contemporary exegetical research methodologies, reader-response theories, ethnographical studies, historical critical research methodologies and multi-disciplinary approaches. Prerequisite: LPHD 751.
The foundations of quantitative research methods. Topics include research questions and hypotheses, types of research designs, sampling techniques, variables and measurements, reliability and validity, data collection methods, and types of statistical analyses. Prerequisite: LPHD 751.
The purpose, rationale, and application of quantitative data analysis methods, including descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric analyses of differences and relationships, and factor analysis. Prerequisite: LPHD 751, 752, 753, 756, 761, and 763.
Research methods used in phenomenological, critical life instances, ethnographic, grounded theory, and critical social research studies. Prerequisite: LPHD 751.
Exploration of manual and computer-assisted thematic coding, Delphi methods, document analysis, and recursive abstraction. Prerequisite: LPHD 756.
The purpose, rationale, and application of advanced quantitative data analysis methods. Prerequisite: LPHD 754.
Micro, mid-range, and macro leadership theories in a multi-cultural global context. Prerequisite: LPHD 751.
Organization theories, design, internal and external environment, organizational life cycles, biblical concepts of time and organizational structure. Prerequisite: LPHD 754.
Current theories and concepts of individual, dyadic, and group behavior in organizations. Prerequisite: LPHD 751.
Communities of human exchanges within unambiguous contexts related to groups, teams, and organizations. Prerequisite: LPHD 754.
Register for this course to take the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Comprehensive Exams. Prerequisite: all Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership coursework (Blocks 1 – 3) must be successfully completed and the student must be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher). Advisor approval needed for registration for this course. Pass/No Pass.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all PhD core courses and concentration elective courses.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all PhD core courses and concentration elective courses.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all PhD core courses and concentration elective courses.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all PhD core courses and concentration elective courses.
Ph.D. dissertation work. Prerequisites: LPHD 861-864 registered and paid.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before 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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your 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 submitted to regent.edu/items.

Step 4. Submit a Leadership Essay 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 submitted to regent.edu/items.

LEADERSHIP 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 with citations: "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:

  • 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.
  • Organization. The structure or outline of apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.
  • 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.
  • Mechanics. Clarity through spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization is vital in any written document.
  • 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.

GRADUATE DEGREE PAPER

If you are opting to submit the Graduate Degree Paper, please ensure this is a submission that contains citations.

Your leadership essay or graduate degree paper should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“For me, it’s a direct reflection of what I learned at Regent that made me want to create these companies and have the impact I’m having.”

Jason Carthen, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, 2009 NFL linebacker, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, coach, radio host, best-selling author

“When you’re leading the largest city in the Commonwealth, you realize quickly, you can’t do it by yourself … so I pray. Regent was a vital factor in my spiritual growth and my professional growth.”

Bobby Dyer, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, 1998 Mayor, City of Virginia Beach

“At Regent, I learned skills like cultural building and succession building to create more impact and engagement with our employees.”

Myra Vandervelde, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, 2004; MA in Business Cognate/ Organizational Leadership, 2000 Global Ethics Learning Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC