DSL – Strategic Leadership
Take Your Organization to the Next Level
You want to do more than lead organizations—you’re ready to transform them. Our Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) degree program with a concentration in Strategic Leadership emphasizes communication, leadership, structure, team building, and cultural understanding from a Christian perspective. Through this terminal professional degree, you can become grounded in theory and practical components essential to organizational success. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Experience a transformative DSL degree program.
Careers | Courses | Other Concentrations | Admissions | Tuition
MASTER THE MECHANICS OF LEADERSHIP
Explore sociology, psychology, theology, and theory to lead and transform organizations.
EXCEL IN ADMINISTRATION
Understand the intricacies of organizational assessment, organizational change, and how to lead strategic initiatives.
BECOME A VISIONARY
Monitor and assess organizations’ skills to innovate learning environments that continually increase effectiveness and efficiency. Our award-winning faculty can bring out your inner leader, from performing expert analyses to mentoring teams through change.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE THROUGH A DSL DEGREE PROGRAM
Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2026). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 12 consecutive years (2015-25).
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
After completing the DSL in Strategic Leadership degree online, you can:
- Evaluate and provide advice on succession planning to client organizations.
- Assess organizational life cycles and determine new avenues for spiritual, mental, and physical leadership development and renewal.
- Understand how to move a product from idea through development to marketplace introduction and success.
- Explain the biblical foundations, perspectives, and examples of servant leadership—and apply them in a contemporary world.
- Elevate individuals, teams, and systems to their God-given potential.
Career Opportunities
- Corporate, Military & Government Consulting
- Executive Leadership for Business, Nonprofits, Educational Institutions, Government Agencies & the Military
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
2025-26 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.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 15 | Monday, August 25 |
| Session B | Friday, October 17 | Monday, October 27 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 7 | Monday, January 12 |
| Session D | Friday, March 6 | Monday, March 16 |
| Session E | Friday, May 1 | Monday, May 11 |
| Session F | Friday, June 12 | Monday, June 22 |
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 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.
Step 4: Doctoral Purpose and Impact Essay
Leadership-specific writing samples play an important role in helping the Admissions Committee evaluate a doctoral applicant’s research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Your essay should be submitted to regent.edu/items.
Statement of Purpose
Please provide a separate essay with citations addressing the following topic:
“Why are you pursuing the Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) degree at Regent University, and how do you intend to use the program to create meaningful impact in your organization, community, or field?”
In your response, discuss:
- Your motivation for pursuing the Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) degree.
- The leadership challenges or opportunities you hope to address through advanced study and research.
- Why Regent University’s DSL program is the right place for you to pursue this work.
- How the DSL program will equip you to create meaningful impact in your organization, community, or field.
The body of the writing sample (excluding the title page and reference page) must not exceed one page in length (single spaced, 12-point font).
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.
- 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.
- AI generative aids. The Statement of Purpose serves as a writing sample along with an opportunity to assess doctoral readiness and program fit, the essay should reflect the applicant’s own ideas and writing. The use of generative AI tools to produce or substantially compose the essay is not permitted.
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
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $845 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 6 | $5,070 $4,170 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $845 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 9 | $7,605 $6,255 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 6 | $4,590 $4,170 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 9 | $6,885 $6,255 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
*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.