DSL – Individualized

Choose any 3 courses from the other DSL concentrations and/or other Regent University graduate programs with the consultation and approval of the program director of the School of Business & Leadership.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

• Ecclesial Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Global Consulting
• Healthcare Leadership
• Human Resource Development
• Leadership Coaching
• Servant Leadership
• Strategic Foresight
• Strategic Leadership

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.

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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.

*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.

• B.A. in Leadership Studies – Self-Designed
• M.A. in Organizational Leadership – Interdisciplinary Studies
• MBA – Master of Business Administration
• MBA – Master of Business Administration (Accelerated)
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies