Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership
Breathe New Life into Your Career with an Advanced Degree in Organizational Leadership
If you’re eager to learn and grow as a professional, practitioner and scholar; advance in your field, learn from leadership experts; and transform your abilities into an ethically-grounded leader, our low-residency Ph.D. program in Organizational Leadership is made for you.
Together with program faculty, you will develop a highly individualized program of study designed to achieve the outcomes applicable to your specific concentration. Most of our students come from human services and public sector organizations, higher education, public safety/security, and nontraditional developmental programs and organizations.
Three factors influenced my decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Shenandoah University: flexibility, collaboration, and affordability. The flexibility of a low residency model allowed me to remain fully employed and engaged with my family. Collaboration with other scholars demonstrates the purpose and aim of post-graduate education. The program’s cost is affordable when compared to other programs.”
John Berry Haynes ’27
Our program is designed for working professionals. You’ll focus on a topic related to your interest, guided by faculty with expertise in your field, and in collaboration with fellow learners. You’ll come to campus at the beginning and end of each fall and spring semester, and for one week-long summer residency.
What you learn as you grow as a scholar-leader will change the way you see and think about the world. As a Shenandoah Ph.D. student, you’ll
- Study with working professionals like you who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and career fields and who communicate and learn in diverse ways
- Draw on a rich well of experience
- Delve into the issues closest to you and apply theory and practical learning to create and implement innovative, inspiring solutions
- Craft purposeful, professional inquiry that significantly contributes to your career field
- Learn how to make a real difference in the communities and organizations you serve.
Our ability to draw from a range of courses across the university, or to use coursework from other postsecondary institutions allows you to design a concentration that is inter- and trans-disciplinary. If you already hold a graduate certificate from an accredited college or university, that may satisfy the concentration requirement (consult with your adviser). Or you can use one of Shenandoah University’s professional certificate programs (leading to two credentials when you finish).
This link between your professional work and your academic study makes our program practical and meaningful. In our program, you’ll enhance your skill set through the greater understanding of the theory and practice of organizing to make better decisions; learn more about what motivates others; explore theories systematically, thoughtfully, and deeply; and apply what you’ve discovered in your daily work life.
The Ph.D. program requires at least 60 credits of coursework beyond the master’s and the coursework is completed over three academic years (6 semesters), plus the capstone.
The Ph.D. program provides the freedom to pursue my specific area of interest with dedicated faculty guiding me through each step of the process of developing my research skills to deepen my expertise. The low residency model allows me the flexibility to integrate the program into my daily work life while also benefiting from the support of a cohort of colleagues and the collaborative in-person seminars. ”
Julie Wyckoff ’27
Our program will advance your professional practice by building on a foundation of critical thinking, socialanalysis, evidence-based practices, professional and social ethics, and organizational and leadershiptheory. We encourage you to createoriginal knowledge for your profession through research and projects undertaken during the program.
We seek to create an intentional learning community. Thisfunctions as an intellectual collaborative where diversity anddivergence of perspective are critical to developing the ability to think clearly and deeply. We use a learner-centered environment that research has identified to be successful.
The concentration requirement may be met in several different ways. You can design your own concentration using coursework approved by your advisor; you can use one of Shenandoah University’s professional certificate programs (leading to two credentials when you finish); you can use courses or graduate certificates offered at another accredited university. If you already hold a graduate certificate from an accredited college or university, that may satisfy the concentration requirement (consult with your advisor). Official transcripts for all transfer credits applying to the concentration must be submitted to the Office of Admissions directly from your institution(s). They can be sent electronically through transcript services, via email, or through mail. Please contact your Admissions Counselor or admit@su.edu with any questions.
The design flexibility in your program allows for optimal learning in your specific area ofinterest, leveraging your professional expertise to encourage linkages to theory and reflective practice.
Outcomes may include projects that have a direct impact on identifying emerging issuesin your profession, issues of policy and programming, and the skills to develop change initiatives, findsolutions to workplace problems and the needs to shift organizational strategy.
Alumni of our program have assumed leadership positions in higher education (faculty and administration); NGOs; local, state, and federal government; and as consultants and organizational developers.
Our program is organized around a core of leadership and research courses. Our doctoral faculty works closely and collaborativelywith you to create an environment that is both challenging and supportive. You benefit from Shenandoah University’s low faculty-student ratios.
| Course | Title | Hrs. |
| LST 652 | Intro to Collaborative & Self-Directed Learning | 2 |
| LST 835 | Foundations of Study in Organizational Leadership: Applications and Research | 4 |
| LST 845 | Organizational Change and Transformation Analysis and Leadership | 4 |
| RST 830 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Understanding the Field | 4 |
| RST 840 | Applying Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods in Understanding the Field | 4 |
| RST 855 | Synthesis and Integration of Content | 4 |
| RST 890 | Proposing Capstone Research | 3 |
| LST 820 | Doctoral Summer Residency | 2 |
| RST 899 | Capstone | Minimum 15 |
| Concentration | Individualized | 18 |
| Total | Degree Program | 60 |
You will design your own concentration using coursework approved by your advisor.
The capstone is theory-driven and is expected to contribute broadly and significantly to your field both in theory and practice.
Our accomplished and caring faculty serve as mentors. They prepare you to serve as a compassionate professional, critical thinker, and ethical leader. You’ll benefit from collaborative learning opportunities that create environments where all participants are teachers and learners, providing individualized attention and nurturing your academic and professional development.
Shenandoah University’s Ph.D. program accepts applications for both Fall and Spring enrollments. Required materials include an essay (5 pages maximum) that details what you wish to study in the program (your specific interests). This is very important and you are encouraged to take the time needed to fully articulate your interests. The required interview may help you better frame this essay; contacting the program head and scheduling the interview in advance of submitting the essay is advised.
Please view application deadlines and submit your Shenandoah Application.
Offered every fall and spring semester.
LST 652 – Intro to Collaborative & Self-Directed Learning
This introductory graduate course will offer learners the opportunity to develop an understanding of and the ability to apply the philosophy of practice and the related academic habits of mind to this tutorial, self-initiated approach to graduate study. Specifically, learners will examine and apply the Collaborative Learning Framework (CLF) as it related to the design and execution of graduate program course work.