Leadership

  • Doctoral

Program Details

As the premier institution for leadership education, University of Jamestown offers a unique, online Doctor of Leadership program that transcends traditional business leadership. At the heart of our program is a desire to prepare scholars and practitioners to go out into the world and develop leaders of character—the kind who will positively change their organizations and communities.

Earning a practical doctorate in a field like leadership means you will have the opportunity to grow as a scholar and practitioner. You’ll learn how to critically understand theoretical conceptualizations of leadership, while also creating robust and meaningful responses to organizational and leadership challenges.

Unruh School of Character in Leadership Mission

As an academic community dedicated to pursuing knowledge in an atmosphere of Christian love, the University of Jamestown recognizes the need for leaders of integrity and courage. The Unruh School of Character in Leadership prepares students by developing the knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills which will enable them to live and lead with character and integrity.

 

What is it like to be an online student pursuing a doctorate at UJ?

Our Doctor of Leadership program is unlike any other business program because it is based on the servant leadership of Jesus. We focus on the continued development of self, others, and teams for the good of organizations, communities, and the world.

With courses offered online, flexibility is a given here. You can learn from anywhere in the world, balancing your studies with other commitments. At the same time, your cohort will be made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds with unique experiences. By bringing together different perspectives, expertise, and talents, our program helps foster collaboration and innovation—key traits of a leader with outstanding character.

Application Requirements

Applicants are NOT required to submit GRE or GMAT test scores to be accepted into the program. Applicants must have:

  • A master’s degree from an approved institution
  • A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 4-5 years of professional experience

Apply now in 3 easy steps: 

  1. Complete an application.
  2. Submit your résumé, written statement of purpose and one academic writing sample.
  3. Mail official transcript(s) to: OnlineAdmissions@uj.edu
    or

    College of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions
    4840 23rd Avenue South
    Suite 208
    Fargo, ND 58104 

Personalize your degree.

Our DL program focuses on leadership development with a strong emphasis on coaching and consulting. After completing core courses, students will increase their specialization by taking additional courses specific to one of three concentrations.

Individually Designed Concentration (3 courses, 9 credits)
The professional doctorate allows students to individually design a concentration that best fit their professional goals. Students must select three doctoral-level courses from any courses offered at the University of Jamestown School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Coaching & Consulting Leadership Concentration (3 courses, 9 credits)
Course Title (credits)
LDRS 720 Essential Fundamentals for Modern Coaching (3)
LDRS 721 The Innovative Consultant: Principles for Success (3)
LDRS 722 Contemporary Trends in Coaching and Consulting (3)
Non-Profit Leadership Concentration

(3 courses, 9 credits)
Course Title (credits)
LDRS 730 Non-profit Management and Leadership Strategies (3)
LDRS 731 Non-profit Performance Measurement and Innovation (3)
LDRS 732 Non-profit Funding: Fundraising and Grant Writing (3)

Tuition and Cost

Fall Spring Summer
Tuition
(48 Credits Total)
$4,500 (6 Credits) $4,500 (6 Credits) $4,500 (6 Credits)
Fees $30 $30 $30
Standard Allowance for Rent or Other Housing Costs/Food* $8,000 $8,000 $8,000
Books & Supplies* $800 $800 $800
Transportation* $1,200 $1,200 $1,200
Miscellaneous* $1,200 $1,200 $1,200
Subtotal $15,730 $15,730 $15,730

*estimated costs based on student surveys from 2023

Why University of Jamestown?

  • In a smaller, collegial environment, students receive individualized attention and support from faculty and their advisor.
  • A practical, applied doctoral project is embedded into the coursework—blending the roles of scholar and practitioner.
  • You'll learn from experienced faculty in a community where leadership training and character development are integral to the University's founding values and mission.

Specialized Concentrations

Increase your specialization with a concentration:
· Coaching & Consulting Leadership
· Non-Profit Leadership
· Individually Designed Concentration

20

Cohort Size

We cap our cohorts at 20 students, ensuring you have quality access to faculty, as well as room for peer-to-peer conversation and networking.

Student Learning Outcomes

Theoretical Design

Students will apply theory in critically understanding professional leadership and followership development and organizational assessment and change.

Development of Research-Based Applications

Students will develop working models for individual leadership, followership, or organizational assessment and development.

Ethical Guidance

Students will understand how to guide diverse groups and organizations through analyzing and evaluating ethical challenges.

Follower Development

Students will understand current leadership application trends and develop organizational, leadership, and followership assessment and development programs for implementation.

Coursework

Common Core

Course Title Credits

LDRS 700

Contemporary Issues in Leadership

3

LDRS 701

Navigating Organizational Strategy & Design

3

LDRS 702

Global Leadership: Cultural Intelligence

3

LDRS 703

Leading Organizations: Culture & Climate

3

LDRS 704

Followership: Team & Group Dynamics

3

LDRS 705

Guiding Organizational Behavior: Motivation & Influence

3

LDRS 706

Leading People: Modern Approaches to Personnel

3

LDRS 707

Leading Organizational Change: Complexity, Readiness, & Resilience

3

LDRS 708

Analytics & Assessment Tools for Organizational Leadership

3

Research Core

Course Title Credits

LDRS 790

Strategies & Techniques for Data-driven Solutions

3

LDRS 791

Action & Project-Based Research

3

LDRS 792

Scholarly & Critical Inquiry

3

Practical Residencies

Course Title Credits

LDRS 780

Coaching Theory & Practice

1

LDRS 781

Consulting Theory & Practice

1

LDRS 782

The Academic Professional: A Collegial Culminating Experience

0

LDRS 783

The Academic Professional: A Collegial Culminating Residency

1

Final Project

Course Title Credits

LDRS 870

Research Project 1

3

LDRS 871

Research Project 2

3

LDRS 872

Research Project Completion Extension

1

Total Semester Credits Required: 48

After the completion of their core courses, students will choose between three concentrations: Individually Designed Concentration, Coaching & Consulting Leadership Concentration, and Non-Profit Leadership Concentration. Students will then take three additional courses specific to their concentration.

HLC ACCREDITATION
The Doctor of Leadership program at the University of Jamestown is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Meet your faculty.

Our Doctor of Leadership program was designed to help you grow as a leader while developing research that will impact society. To help you succeed, we ensure you are supported by top-tier faculty.
Brenda Kaspari

Brenda Kaspari, PhD

  • Program Director: Master of Arts in Leadership
  • Assistant Professor
  • Director of Online Undergraduate Programs

We’re all about making your education affordable.

We believe every student, regardless of their financial situation, should have access to a UJ Accelerated education. In fact, 50% of our graduate students receive financial aid.