About the School of Business & Leadership
Regent University’s graduate School of Business & Leadership (SBL) focuses our Master of Business Administration (MBA), M.A. and doctorate degrees with a multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial approach that encourages servant leadership and social responsibility. Equipped to inspire and influence, our graduates are blazing trails in industries, not-for-profit organizations, universities, colleges, and churches worldwide, and as a military-friendly school, we are helping active duty military, veterans and their families retool for promising second careers.
Our regionally and nationally accredited programs are taught by distinguished scholars and practitioners who provide students with a global perspective on business and leadership, and who serve as mentors as you move forward in your career. You can earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA), M.A. and doctorate degree online or on campus.
Residing throughout the U.S. and overseas, our student body in the School of Business & Leadership numbers approximately 1,100 and is comprised of computer literate, mid to upper-level career professionals who are committed to embracing the rigors of a life-changing master’s or doctoral program. Our students desire to transform lives and organizations through the implementation of sound Judeo-Christian values, ethical business and leadership practices, and God-given wisdom.
Our students and alumni represent a wealth of diversity in professional, ethnic, Christian affiliation, and background, and are impacting lives at the local, national and international levels. They are business and nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, missionaries, pastors, teachers, government officials and other capable professionals dedicated to profoundly affecting lives. Each chose SBL because of their earnest desire to align with a university that would challenge their minds, support their callings and stretch their faith.
Inspired Influence
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
The School of Business & Leadership (SBL) wholeheartedly and with great conviction participates in Regent University’s key distinction of the integration of faith and learning. Our mission is to serve as a center of Christian thought and action to provide excellent education through a biblical perspective and global context equipping Christian leaders to change the world.
At the heart of SBL’s biblical integration lies its curriculum design, providing:
- Purposeful integration of and reflection on Scripture.
- Faculty participation in the truth and salvation of God.
- The extraordinary ability of faculty to communicate and foster personal faith and insight among students in their various disciplines of leadership and business.
- Practical assignments that ask students to reflect on biblical principles and how they can be applied to business and leadership today.
The School of Business & Leadership sees itself not separated from but integrated with the overall mission of the Church, seeking to fulfill both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as it trains Christian leaders. Each SBL faculty member is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and offers the encouragement, prayer and support students need to successfully navigate our degree programs. While the majority of our programs are online, offering students great convenience and flexibility, our faculty members are never too far to lend a listening ear and understanding heart.
Through biblical integration and our caring faculty, we equip students to strive toward inspired influence in business and leadership as they discover the destiny God has created for them and the impact they will make on the world in His name.
Filmmaker, Seacoast Church
I received my M.A. in Communication from Regent University. Juggling full-time work, freelancing, family time, as well as 2-3 courses at a time was challenging, but it was worth all the hard work.
Teacher
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools cohort of ESL teachers in training was the perfect platform in which to study and learn. Upon completion of my last TESOL class, I was blessed with the opportunity to join the ESL staff of VBCPS. The amazing faculty of Regent's TESOL department helped make it possible.
Clinical Psychology
I realized this is a place where I could grow and really be empowered in my future.
President & TV Host, Total Life Counseling; Advisor, Listeners On Call; Author; Licensed Mental Health Counselor
At Regent, I loved the integration of Christian values that were wrapped tightly in a strong academic degree. I felt completely academically prepared to go out and help people, but I also had that very foundational core belief system that was strengthened unbelievably.
CEO & Principal Leadership Trainer, LiHK Consulting
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.
TESOL
I found Regent's School of Education to be a place where I could obtain some of those practical skills I needed to help others. The TESOL curriculum included a good balance of instruction in reading, writing, and conversation skills that I can apply with adults or children.
M.A. in Practical Theology & Human Service Counseling
The online and on-campus experiences were different, but both very rewarding. The way they designed online learning really felt like a live classroom environment — still very informative and relational, even with people from around the world there.
Cinema/TV
I knew Regent was a Christian university, but I wasn’t expecting the love of Christ to be so evident.
Digital Media
I took a trip to the campus and was blown away by the beauty of the school. What actually won me over to finally pursue an advanced degree was the professional resources offered by the School of Communication & the Arts, as well as the curriculum.
American Government
Regent’s online model provided an unparalleled combination of high-quality instruction, flexibility and specialization.
Physician Assistant, Jordon & Associates OB/GYN; Entrepreneur
Regent has equipped me to live out loud on a deeper level, including the solid biblical teaching in every class as preparation for how to apply God’s word to any circumstance or work situation.
Cinema Arts/Television, Directing
I chose Regent because of its Christian principles, as I wanted to learn how to integrate my faith with telling stories; also because of its amazing film program and facilities. Yes, my expectations were definitely met.
Global Ethics Learning Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
At Regent, I learned skills like cultural building and succession building to create more impact and engagement with our employees.
Chaplain, U.S. Navy
As a Navy chaplain, I appreciated how Regent's master’s program integrated the best of science with faith and how it was designed with the flexibility I needed.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
Regent has an outstanding record of preparing students for incredible success.SBL offers seven degree programs, each offering a number of varied and timely concentrations in which to focus your studies, and several certificate programs as noted below. View the full list of degrees, concentrations and certificate programs.
Degree Programs
- Master of Arts in Business & Design Management
- Master of Arts in Church Leadership
- Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)
- Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (Ph.D.)
Certificate Programs
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership
- Certificate of Graduate Studies in Leadership
- Certificate of Post-Doctoral Studies in Organizational Leadership
Our two doctoral programs, the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and the Doctor of Strategic Leadership, are designed to meet the unique needs of today’s professionals and emerging leaders. Below is a brief description of each program to help you determine which one will help you fulfill your professional goals:
- The Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership is a terminal, research-based, multidisciplinary degree that is designed to equip leaders to influence the field of leadership through think tanks, scholarly research, academia and influential positions. If you have an interest in the following, then we encourage you to consider the Ph.D. program:
- Teaching at the university or college level
- Scholarly writing and research
- Guiding others in the art of research, critical thinking and writing
- Developing and advancing leadership theories
- The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) is an applied multidisciplinary terminal degree designed to equip leaders and executives to comprehend and address the intricacies and challenges of organizational transformation. Our DSL program is best suited for those with an interest in:
- Training and consulting
- Strategic planning
- Leading teams through successful plan execution
- Identifying organizational needs and providing solutions
Organizational leadership involves the following: leadership theories and principles applied in the workplace, structure of organizations, leading and motivating people, strategies, environment, values, ethics, and systems.
Master’s students are required to complete their degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment, so students are encouraged to enroll in at least one course per semester throughout their program. Course requirements can be found on each detailed program page.
The doctoral programs follow a cohort model in which doctoral students begin the program in the same semester and move through the required core course portion of the program as a cohort at the same pace (2 courses/ 6 credit hours each semester) until they reach their elective credit hours. At that point, doctoral students can slow the pace slightly, but will still need to complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment. Course requirements can be found on each detailed program page.
Review the business and leadership programs offered by Regent University.
Please follow the link to view our admissions requirements and online application.
Admissions deadlines vary by program. Please select the program you are interested in to learn about its admission deadline.
Yes. For your convenience, all of our programs are offered online. The doctoral programs do require minimal on-campus residency. Residency details can be found on each program’s detail page.
Upon acceptance into a program, you will receive an email from your program director with more information about the enrollment process and a list of important next steps.
Yes. Regent University has many forms of financial aid available including scholarships, grants, tuition discounts for military and government employees, and participation in the federal student loan program. Students are encouraged to explore the links below to learn more about each of these financial aid opportunities.
Yes. The School of Business & Leadership accepts international students.
International students should check out our international student requirements.
A necessary part of your application includes transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions. Our accrediting agency requires official transcripts, which is defined as being received by Regent University in a sealed envelope from the previous educational institution or evaluation agency. All transcripts that are not from an American institution must be evaluated. A course-by-course evaluation is required and the transcript must be converted to the American Grade Point Average system. Transcripts in a language other than English must also include an official English translation. A list of recommended evaluation agencies is listed here to assist you. Please note Regent is only requiring the evaluation for international transcripts. There is no need to send a copy of your official international transcript to Regent. The translation and evaluation fees must be paid directly to the agency performing the service.
Individuals without U.S. citizenship are required by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to meet specific requirements before receiving permission to study in the United States. Visit the international admissionspage to get more information.
Regent University students currently represent more than 80 countries.
We encourage you to contact one of our admissions recruiters who can assist you with a plan and program that is best suited to your family and career needs.
Students who did not complete their undergraduate degrees have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree through Regent University’s College of Arts & Sciences and may select from numerous degree options. Degrees offered by the College of Arts & Sciences are available on campus or online. You may apply to the School of Business & Leadership once you are within one semester of completing your undergraduate degree.
Your SBL admissions counselor can. Contact us now.
Distance education is defined by the Commission on the Institutions of Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for the purposes of accreditation review, as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when students and instructors are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. Distance education may employ correspondence study or audio, video and computer technologies.
Also referred to as distance education, online learning includes courses offered online that do not require the student to be on campus for most or all class participation. Students can work with course materials at their own convenience or they can work collaboratively on class projects using tools like chat and discussion groups.
No. The Internet is a vital tool used increasingly in everyday personal and professional life. In order to meet ever-changing and growing demands on people, education must be provided in a flexible, convenient format. Online courses are a necessary evolution in education.
There are many benefits of online learning for both the student and the instructor. The following are just a few of the potential benefits:
- Flexible scheduling
- Enhanced learning
- Geared toward adult learners
- Increased interaction with classmates
- Virtual office hours
- Electronic competency on the job
- Availability
- Collaboration with peers and professors next door or around the world
If this is your classroom style, you may not be comfortable in an online class. If you don’t participate by posting messages, neither your instructor nor your classmates will know you are “in class.” The online environment requires that every student participates for the entire course to succeed. Ideas and concepts “discussed” online become the major focus of the class.
You can complete your work at anytime and anywhere via the Internet.
Doctoral students attend three required four-day residencies held on the campus of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ph.D. students are also required to take comprehensive exams. These exams are offered six times each year on campus for USA-domestic students and by proctor for international students. The exams occur once each semester on Friday at the end of the modular week and once between each semester on a Friday.
Comprehensive Exam Policy for International Students
If an international student wants to take the exam in his/her country he/she must find a proctor and a suitable place to take the exam. The proctor may be a Ph.D. with knowledge of comprehensive exams or a professional test proctor in a test-giving facility. The location must be a place that is quiet (conducive to taking the exam) and have access to a computer with Microsoft Word (no internet). The proctor must submit their CV or resume at least one month prior to the proposed examination date for approval by the SBL Ph.D. program director.
Students are required to access their classes online via Canvas.
Course materials are available for students in Canvas or through our online database (Regent Library or other online resources).
Yes. Once you are given your Regent email address and password, you can access the Library database online using your Regent login and password.
Yes. Our distance education programs are conducted online, so access to a reliable computer is essential.
The basic computer equipment you need is Internet access and the ability to work on your papers. A more detailed description is provided by our IT Department.
We recommend that students use their own computers.
The Doctor of Strategic Leadership program in the School of Business and Leadership includes two required virtual residencies. The first residency covers pertinent content for the first year of study. The second residency focuses on class instruction for the courses to be taken in the second year as well as doctoral program requirements for the Final Project.
Each day includes a one-hour live session and several recordings that need to be listened to before the live session that evening. The recordings are available two weeks in advance. While it is not mandatory, some students choose to take time off from work to focus on the residency requirements. Please keep in mind that all live sessions are in Eastern Time.
Residencies are held virtually. All sessions are held in the evening (ET).