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Alumnus Mark Batterson: Pursue a Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership degree at Regent University.

DSL – Ecclesial Leadership

Shape the Future of the Church

Regent’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) in Ecclesial Leadership will teach you the theology and philosophy of the Church, as well as its organizational design. This terminal professional degree emphasizes leadership, communication, structure, team building, and cultural understanding from a Christian perspective. Be mentored by seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program and explore the Church Matching Grant. 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 the difference of a Christ-centered, transfer and military-friendly university.

Online w/ Residency
51
January 13, 2025
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Careers | Courses | Other Concentrations | Admissions | Tuition

BECOME A ECCLESIAL LEADER

Explore the spiritual formation of the ecclesial leader and how you can develop as a leader in this important area of the Church.

GAIN INFLUENCE

Write and publish leadership-related topics in popular press publications and applied journals.

HARNESS SPIRITUALITY

Understand Christian spirituality, organizational spirituality, how communities form, and the spiritual formation of the Church leader.

BE EQUIPPED TO EXCEL THROUGH REGENT’S ECCLESIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

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).

Our award-winning faculty will bring out your inner leader, from performing expert analyses to mentoring teams through change.

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

After completing the Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) in Ecclesial Leadership degree online, you can:

  • Apply the theory and practical components essential to organizational success.
  • Follow excellent examples of Church leadership, incorporating biblical foundations and perspectives.
  • Guide others using ecclesial leadership theories and models.

Career Opportunities

  • Executive Leadership for Ministry, Nonprofits & Educational Institutions
  • University Faculty
  • Consulting
98%
98% of students believed the education they received was worth the expense
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.

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 MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

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 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.

TITLE IV LOANS: If students are receiving Title IV Federal Student Loans, they are permitted to enroll in the same course number a maximum of only two semesters. Therefore, doctoral students are encouraged to carefully plan the dissertation/final project stage of their program.

The School of Business & Leadership is committed to the historical foundations of the doctoral degree in which a community of scholars is created among faculty mentors and student scholars. Regent University mirrors this historical tradition by using student cohorts, intensive online residencies and a variety of interactive discussion modes that extend beyond topical course discourse.

The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program in the School of Business & Leadership includes two required residencies, held virtually. The first residency covers program orientation and guidelines, the library use course (UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources) as well as class instruction for the first two courses of the core curriculum. The second residency focuses on class instruction for the courses to be taken in the semester as well as doctoral program requirements such as the Final Project.

View upcoming residency dates, registration and lodging details.

“I needed someone to tell me who I was and whose I was. Regent did that; the staff was amazing!”

Rae Pearson Benn, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2016 WTVZ Host of Our Issues Hampton Roads; Media & Communications Coordinator III, City of Virginia Beach

“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

“I am proud to further Regent University’s conviction of excellence in scholarship, passion for ministry, and devotion to the Word of God.”

Ben Gutierrez, Ph.D., 2004 Organizational Leadership

“It was such a stretching experience to interact with people from the corporate world, small business and the military. My perspective on leadership practice is much richer and diverse.”

Harvey Herman, Ph.D., 2007 Strategic Leadership

“My mentor and I are mutually keeping each other lifted up in prayer and with encouragement in the midst of life's challenges. This mentorship connection has delivered extra focus for me by giving me a living example of what I desire to be engaged in upon graduating from Regent. Since I will be over 55 when I finish, my executive mentor demonstrates how there are decades of fruitfulness ahead of me and that completing this program is worth the rewards and open doors in the future.”

Wade Jensen, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2025 Mentee