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Students in a classroom: Pursue an online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Organizational Leadership

Lead. Equip. Impact Through Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.

Be prepared to influence and strengthen organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher, or business leader. This Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership online can ground you in theory and practical components essential to organizational success. This doctorate is a research-based terminal degree taught from a Christian worldview. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report, 2024, and has also been ranked as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25. Experience a transformative Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program that also offers an Executive Mentor Program.

Online
60
January 13, 2025
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BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER

Join the ranks of leading contributors to the body of knowledge in organizational leadership research.

APPLY & CONDUCT RESEARCH

Learn to assess organizations by relying on research and evidence, create solutions in response to organizational change and anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives.

EXPLORE ORGANIZATIONAL SPIRITUALITY

Examine the emerging use of chaplains and expressions of spirituality in an organization.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE through the ph.d. in organizational leadership

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). 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).

Led by our award-winning faculty, this Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership will enrich your academic research, writing, and critical thinking skills.

After completing this Ph.D. in organizational leadership online, you can:

  • Demonstrate expertise in organizational culture and climate, and how values and leaders affect them.
  • Understand communication theories and research on how communication affects organizations.
  • Analyze “followership” in leader-follower relationships and emerging trends in this area.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty
  • Researcher for Government, Corporations and Think Tanks
  • Executive Leader
  • Consulting
$96Thousand
Approximate Mean Annual Wage for Postsecondary Teachers, 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Featured Courses
LPHD 785Seminar: Trends in Organizational Leadership Research3
Current topics and trends in organizational leadership research. Students must present a paper developed in the seminar at an academic conference, either in person or virtual. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPOL 761Organizational Culture & Climate3
Organizational culture and climate with emphasis on organizational values and the effect of the leader on culture and climate. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPOL 762Followership3
Followers in the leader-follower relationship with particular focus on recent and emerging research trends. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPOL 763Organizational Spirituality3
Organizational spirituality, the emerging use of organizational chaplains, expressions of spirituality in the organization, and the impact on culture and climate. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPOL 764Organizational Communication3
Organizational communication theories and research to understand the attributes and impact of communication in organizations. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.

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.

“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
“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