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A person leaning against a wall: Explore a PhD in Christian leadership.

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership

Gain a Deeper Insight into Christian Leadership through Regent’s Ph.D. Program

Prepare to influence organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher, or business leader through Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership. You’ll explore the past, present, and future of organizational leadership in the church and denominational contexts through this online doctoral program. Our Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership is a research-based terminal degree taught from a Christian worldview. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Receive mentorship by seasoned professionals through the Executive Mentor Program and explore the Church Matching Grant Program. 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 the difference of a university established to develop Christian leadership to change the world.

Online
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January 13, 2025
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Careers | Courses | Other Concentrations | Admissions | Tuition

BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER

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

REFINE YOUR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Learn to fuse leadership theory with strategy, and to reflectively apply these skills. Gain a deeper insight into servant leadership.

GAIN EXPERTISE ON SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Explore the spiritual formation of those in ecclesial leadership and the differences in Christian and organizational spirituality.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

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). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership program.

Led by our award-winning faculty, this ecclesial leadership degree will allow you to network with peers of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Explore Dissertation Abstracts

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

After earning your ecclesial leadership degree, you can:

  • Understand historical, theological, and philosophical developments in the church and denominational leadership.
  • Analyze and apply evidence-based research to Christianity today.
  • Create solutions in response to organizational change and anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives.

Career Opportunities

  • Researcher for Nonprofits and Think Tanks
  • University Faculty
  • Consulting
21%
Higher median usual weekly earnings for workers with a doctoral degree versus a master's degree U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
Featured Courses
LPEC 761Ecclesial Leadership Theology & Philosophy3
Theological and philosophical developments in ecclesial leadership theories, models, praxis and research. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPEC 762Historic Research & Ecclesial Leadership3
Historic research methodologies, the origins and historic developments of ecclesial leadership, and key differences in ecclesial organizational and leadership traditions. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPEC 763Ecclesial Organizational Design & Leadership Development3
Ecclesial organizational designs, traditions and practices in leadership formation, principles of leadership legitimacy and ordination processes. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LPEC 764Spiritual Formation & the Ecclesial Leader3
Christian spirituality, organizational spirituality, communal formation, ecclesial spirituality, and the spiritual formation of the ecclesial leader. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
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.

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.

“Unlike other schools I considered, Regent lets you customize projects around real-life work issues. The professors challenge you and genuinely want you to succeed.”

Kari Jacobs, MBA, 2013 President and General Manager at WVEC-TV ABC 13

“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

“My Regent degree enables me to offer different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, team management and innovation — all through a biblical worldview. Utilizing courses and making them relevant in day-to-day functions has been extremely rewarding.”

Kelli Ragland, MBA, 2015 Director of Marketing, Langley Federal Credit Union

“My mentor is guiding my thinking process by giving me great wisdom on how to navigate through the job hunting process and interview process as well. He is also helping me to shape more into the leader that I desire to become in the workplace. I think this mentor program is very beneficial, especially when the mentee has a great match with a mentor that fits their needs. I personally have benefited and grown so much because I was paired with someone who met my spiritual and professional goals and has had the experience to guide me to where I am today.”

Adriana Pounds, Ph.D. Organizational Leadership, 2024 Mentee

“It’s official, I can finally use my new title! Dr. Ashley Dash at your service for all of your career and professional development needs!”

Ashley Dash, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2020 Founder, Career & Professional Development