73 Credit Hours

Description

The PhD in Leadership is designed to provide advanced capabilities for scholars and practitioners alike in an area of immense interest in contemporary society. It is well recognized that organizational success or failure is closely connected to leadership. However, there is debate about what constitutes good leadership and how much it may vary depending upon the context or domain within which it is practiced. Similarly, there are a variety of mechanisms currently being employed to identify good leaders and to assist those in leadership roles to become better leaders with varying degrees of success.

Students in the program will be exposed to advanced bodies of knowledge in the attributes essential to good leadership and in the processes likely to identify and develop it. They will also gain a mastery of leadership theories and practices applicable to an array of professional contexts. In addition, students will learn advanced research methods both qualitative and quantitative, and progress to completing a dissertation that produces original scholarship.

The program can be completed with a concentration (area of focus) or otherwise. Students can choose to specialize in an area by completing 9 credits of coursework in that area. Concentrations are available in the following areas: Healthcare Administration; Ministry; Justice; Technology; Politics; International Relations; Innovation; Sociology; Communications; Business; Public Administration. Those who are not interested in a concentration can complete the program by choosing courses from diverse areas without being limited to any one area. Students who opt for a concentration must complete their dissertation in a topic that fits within the concentration after approval by their chair. Students who choose not to do a concentration can write their dissertation in any aspect of leadership after appropriate consultation and approval by their dissertation chair.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Synthesize, evaluate, and contextualize leadership approaches and theories
  • Choose and create an original, scholarly research project culminating in a written, presented, and orally defended dissertation that advances leadership theories and contributes substantively to the body of knowledge in the student's chosen concentration
  • Demonstrate a high level of comprehension of leadership theory through practical individual and organizational application
  • Analyze social, political, economic, religious, and organizational events relative to the influence of leaders and leadership approaches
  • Integrate scholarly research and leadership skills by putting theory into practice

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed application
  • Master's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
  • Current resume
  • Writing sample or purpose statement
  • Official transcripts from previously attended institutions
  • No GMAT or GRE required

*For questions regarding the program or transfer credits, please contact Trudy Owens at owenst1@carolinaU.edu

Degree Requirements

  • The maximum time limit to complete the program is seven years or 150% of the credits, whichever the student reaches first.
  • A minimum of 37 credit hours must be completed at CU.
  • Up to 50% of the required credit hours can be transferred into the program.
  • Graduation is contingent upon the completion of 73 hours of prescribed courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and no more than one C. Students must complete all coursework, pass the written comprehensive examination, and successfully write, present, and defend their dissertation.
  • Continuous enrollment (a minimum of one course per semester) is required Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
  • In the event of extenuating circumstances, a PhD student may request in writing one Leave of Absence of up to two semesters. A PhD student who remains inactive for longer than two semesters must reapply to the program. Special accommodations will be extended for military deployments. The LOA does not “stop the clock” on the 7-year time limit for degree completion.

Courses

Leadership Core (31 Credit Hours)

Research Core (15 Credit Hours)

Concentration Courses (9 Credit Hours; Choose One Area)

Organizational Management

Educational Administration

Healthcare Administration

Ministry Administration

3 Credit Hours

Justice

Technology

3 Credit Hours

Politics

International Relations

Innovation

Sociology

Communications

Business

3 Credit Hours

Public Administration

Comprehensive Exam (0 Credit Hours)

Dissertation Courses (18 Credit Hours)