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A student in a classroom: Pursue an individualized PhD in Organizational Leadership at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies

Meet Your Unique Goals through Regent’s Individualized Ph.D. Program

Customize your doctoral program through Regent’s Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies. The program allows you to select courses that best meet your unique professional goals. We’ll prepare you to influence and invigorate organizations around the world as a scholar, teacher, or business leader. Our Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies is a research-based terminal degree taught from a Christian worldview. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. 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 a transformative individualized Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program and gain insights through an Executive Mentor Program.

Online
60
January 8, 2024
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BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER THROUGH AN INDIVIDUALIZED PH.D.

Join the ranks of leading contributors to the body of knowledge in organizational leadership research.

MAKE GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Analyze the impact of prevailing world social, cultural, religious, and political conditions and trends on leadership theory and practice.

CUSTOMIZE PROJECTS AROUND REAL ISSUES

Apply the latest theories and use qualitative and quantitative analytical tools to conduct your own research.

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.

Led by our award-winning faculty, this individualized Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership will enrich your academic research, writing, and critical thinking skills.

After completing this Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Individualized Studies online, you can:

  • Facilitate learning from the perspective of the learner and the instructor.
  • Enter servant leadership in the field of your choice.
  • Positively impact global organizations and communities from a biblical perspective.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty
  • Researcher for Government, Corporations and Think Tanks
  • Executive Leader
  • 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

Choose any four organizational leadership-focused courses from the other Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership concentrations and/or other Regent University doctoral programs with the consultation and approval of the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership program chair.

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 our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

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 emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

4. Submit a Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

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 emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

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 emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

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 emailed directly to the Admissions Office at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SBL Doctoral Application Pieces.

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

“"I consider my years in my Ph.D. program at Regent the best investment I ever made in my career. The time, energy and money spent in the program have paid off many times over. I consider the faculty to be world class, and my peers in my cohort are true friends and colleagues."”

Paul Alexander, Ph.D., 2005 Organizational Leadership

“Regent has equipped me to live out loud on a deeper level, including the solid biblical teaching in every class as preparation for how to apply God’s word to any circumstance or work situation.”

Keshia Brown, Doctor of Strategic Leadership, 2020 Physician Assistant, Jordon & Associates OB/GYN; Entrepreneur

“Best college class I've ever taken. Hands down. I haven't stopped raving about it to my friends and family.”

Kristen Aguilar, MBA, 2018 General Management