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  • Ph.D. in Leadership Studies

    Lead with Distinction.

    Through our commitment to servant leadership, we develop you for the leadership role you have today—and in the future. Our experienced faculty work alongside your particular interests to guide you to the next level of excellence in your chosen field.

Course Rotation

Year 1
Emphasis Course Location *Seminar Days
SUMMER - Dallas Institute
Core PHDL 7300 Dallas Institute: Leadership Experiences and Development (LEAD) Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 Nine days in mid-June
Research & Statistics PHDL 7340 Research I – Research Principles and Critical Thinking
FALL
Core PHDL 7301 Leadership Through the Ages: Part One: Foundations – Theory Model Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
PHDL 7308 Readings Course: Great Books/Biographies One Saturday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
SPRING
Core PHDL 7303 Leadership Through the Ages: Part Three: Classical Leadership – Educational Model Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.
Concentration PHDB/G/H/M Concentration Course One Saturday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.

Year 2
SUMMER - Washington, D.C. Institute
Core PHDL 7304 Leadership Through the Ages: Part Four: Political Leadership – Power and Influence DBU Campus &
Washington, D.C.		 Eleven days in mid-July: three days in Dallas, eight days in Washington, D.C.
PHDL 7306 Organizational Leadership
FALL
**Prerequisite PHDL 7320 Statistics I – Prerequisite Course Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
Core PHDL 7302 Leadership Through the Ages: Part Two: Biblical – Servant Leadership Model One Saturday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
SPRING
Research & Statistics PHDL 7330 Statistics II – Advanced Graduate-Level Statistics Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.
Core PHDB/G/H/M Concentration Course One Saturday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.

Year 3
SUMMER - Oxford Institute
Core PHDL 7305 Cultural and Global Leadership DBU Campus &
Oxford, England		 Nine days end of June through beginning of July: three days in Dallas, nine days in England
PHDL 7307 Leadership for the Future (Capstone Seminar)
FALL
Research & Statistics PHDB 7315 Qualitative Research in Business Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
Concentration PHDL 7309 Special Topics in Business One Saturday in Sept., Oct., & Nov.
SPRING
Research & Statistics PHDL 7350 Research II – Advanced Research and Prospectus Design Nation Hall,
DBU Campus		 One Friday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.
Concentration PHDB/G/H/M Concentration Course One Saturday in Feb., Mar., & Apr.

Year 4
SUMMER
Core PHDL 7310 Mentored Leadership Internship (S-L) Mentor Location Various according to MLI agreement
***Comprehensive Exams DBU Campus First Saturday before Fall term begins
FALL
Dissertation PHDL 8310 Dissertation Proposal/Prospectus I Online On campus on the day of the defense
SPRING
Dissertation PHDL 8311 Dissertation Proposal/Prospectus II Online On campus on the day of the defense
- or -
PHDL 8320 Dissertation I Online On campus on the day of the defense

*Seminar Days: All courses begin with the start of each term. The seminar days listed are the only residency requirements for each course.
**Prerequisite: PHDL 7320 Statistics I is required unless successfully completed at the Master's level.
***Comprehensive Exams: No extra tuition or fees are required.

"The Ph.D. in Leadership challenges students as scholars all the while cultivating their strengths as leaders and galvanizing their pursuit of God's calling."

— Dr. Mary Nelson, Ph.D. Director

“At DBU, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with other top leaders in business, education, government, ministry, and other disciplines.”

— Dr. Jeremy Dutschke

“Being a part of the Gary Cook School of Leadership remains one of the defining moments not only in my educational pursuits, but also in my life and journey as a follower of Jesus.”

— Dr. Marcus Goodloe, Ph.D. Graduate

“The thing that drew me to DBU was the opportunity to pursue a degree that was Christ-centered and had the discipline and rigor associated with the formal Ph.D. program.”

— Dr. Doug Lawson, Ph.D. Graduate

“The Ph.D. in Leadership Studies professors are my coaches spurring me on to become the leader God has called me to be.”

— Dr. Joseph Myung
Senior Pastor, San Diego, CA

“The Leadership Studies Ph.D. at DBU is a life-changing experience. Hard work and challenge await those who enter the program, but the results are personally and professionally rewarding.”

— Dr. Chris Medenwald, Ph.D. Graduate