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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.

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January 8, 2024
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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 Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). 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
Theological and philosophical developments in ecclesial leadership theories, models, praxis and research. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
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.
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.
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.
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.

2023-24 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 11Monday, August 21
Session CThursday, January 4Monday, January 8
Session EFriday, April 26Monday, May 6

Doctoral Degree Requirements for Admission

When applying to the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership or the Doctor of Strategic Leadership programs, the admissions committee, comprised of several faculty members, will use a rubric to independently evaluate and score each of the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement in bachelor’s and master’s programs
  • Writing quality
  • Alignment of personal goals to Ph.D. or DSL outcomes
  • Number of years in leadership positions
  • Leadership development and impact
  • Number of leadership positions held

Prerequisites:

Doctoral applicants must:

  • Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by a credential evaluating agency.
  • Submit all application materials such that they are received by the deadline for the semester to which they are applying. Once the application requirements have been fulfilled, an admissions interview may be requested. Interviews are by invitation only.

1. Complete Your Online Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

2. Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to regent.edu/items.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

3. Send Your Professional 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.

4. Submit a 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.

5. Submit a Leadership Essay (with Citations) 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.

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: “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:

  1. 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.
  2. Organization. The structure or outline of the essay assists with the development of the argument and includes fluid transitions to achieve coherence between paragraphs.
  3. 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.
  4. Mechanics. Clarity through spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization is vital in any written document.
  5. 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.

Your essay should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

GRADUATE DEGREE PAPER

If you are opting to submit the Graduate Degree Paper, please ensure this is a submission that contains citations. Your graduate degree paper should be submitted to regent.edu/items.

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
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 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 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)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“Regent helped me learn what it means to be a scholar-practitioner. I work for one of the top consulting firms in the nation specializing in educational leadership development and serve as a member of the graduate faculty at a local university.”

Anthony Marchese, Ph.D., 2008

“Regent challenged me to think beyond the mechanics of business. I was able to address work-life balance and focus on core personal leadership attributes. The strong academics and values-based leadership focus helped move me from sales to management almost immediately.”

Jonathan Freeland, MBA, 2000 VP, Product Marketing at Cox Communications

“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

“When you’re leading the largest city in the Commonwealth, you realize quickly, you can’t do it by yourself … so I pray. Regent was a vital factor in my spiritual growth and my professional growth.”

Bobby Dyer, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, 1998 Mayor, City of Virginia Beach

“"Two common obstacles preventing people from reaching their dreams are fear and listening to naysayers. Regent helped me develop my calling and credentials so that I can help people move past both to achieve a positive life change."”

Janice Armstrong, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2012 CEO & Principal Leadership Trainer, LiHK Consulting