Department of Leadership, Policy and Administration, University of St. Thomas

As a form of organization, communication, power and influence, Leadership occupies vital positions in practically every field of human experience. Its relevance rings clearer as we witness greater inequities, greater sufferings, greater frustrations and greater helplessness. We are left to wonder how the road ahead is going to be forged.

The movement that the Doctoral Program in Leadership proposes is recognition. A re-cognition. Visiting the breadth of human knowledge and experience anew, from a variety of perspectives and having the courage to leave our prejudices and fears at the door as we do so.

Initiated more than two decades ago, the Doctoral program in Leadership is a practitioner-oriented, distinctive degree program open to leaders in all occupational sectors that prides itself on applying theory to real-life situations. Here, you can apply everything from academic research findings to the brainstorms of cohort members to your organization’s critical issues and challenging situations.

During your doctoral studies, you will learn the foundations of leadership by:

• Contributing to a culture of intellectual challenge and support within a community of learners.
• Deepening your understanding of leadership and organizational theory.
• Analyzing critical leadership issues related to equity, global interdependence, conflicting cultural values, and accelerating social and technological change.
• Examining ethical dimensions of policy and decision making.
• Utilizing research, critical analysis and imagination in planning, problem solving and evaluation.

Course of Study

The Doctoral program in Leadership coursework has been developed to meet your scheduling needs and provides working professionals with the opportunity to obtain this doctoral degree while maintaining a reasonable work-life balance.

The program’s four components are core, research, collateral and dissertation coursework. Over a three year period, students attend core courses with their cohort. Core courses are the heart of the doctoral program, focusing on ideas and issues central to leadership.While pursuing the core component, students may concurrently take collateral and research courses, typically offered one evening per week. Many courses include online components. A faculty chairperson and two committee members mentor each doctoral candidate’s research and writing every step of the way as they develop their dissertation.