Leadership


Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership (PhD)
Credits

60

Avg. Completion Time

4 yrs (full-time, including research dissertation)

Delivery Method tooltip-icon

Hybrid

Why Earn a PhD in Leadership Through Capital?

Get the education you need to further prepare and equip yourself as a leader, educator or administrator. Our Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degree is cohort-based and has alternative delivery methods. When you study in LBC | Capital’s PhD in leadership, you’ll learn under the tutelage of expert faculty members and international ministry leaders, plus network with students from all parts of the world and vocations.

Our program is built upon a framework that understands organizations to be dynamic and developmental in nature. This hybrid online PhD program also promotes a balanced model of leadership that recognizes the importance of biblical values, incorporates the best of social science literature, cultivates inspiring vision and godly virtues, and gives attention to the details of leadership management practices.

Course Length tooltip-icon

16 weeks

Residency Requirement

1 week in October and 1 week in March

Capstone Requirement tooltip-icon

Transfer Agreement tooltip-icon

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Application Deadline

June 30
May 31 (international students)

Would You Like More Information?

Take a moment to request more information, and one of our admissions counselors will be in contact with you to provide you with further details or answer your questions.

Program Plan

PhD: Leadership (60 Credits)

Servant Leader 8 Credits

Leader-Teacher 8 Credits

Organizational Leader 8 Credits

Change Agent 8 Credits

Researcher-Scholar 28 Credits

View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.

SUCCESS STORY:
PhD Equips for Global Impact

Hear how earning his PhD in leadership from LBC | Capital has helped Dr. Nicholas Kalyebara (’21) realize a milestone in his career and life’s goal.

Program Distinctive - What makes LBC | Capital's program unique?

Designed for highly motivated students, this hybrid online PhD program is well-suited for pastors, missionaries, para-church ministry leaders, teachers and other Christian leaders looking for a way to heighten their professional development and give them a deep understanding of biblical leadership. Other benefits include:

  • Doesn’t require full-time residency, allowing students to remain active in their ministries or vocations.
  • Only requires you to meet on campus two weeks a year.
  • Courses are delivered in a unique, blended learning model that combines online and face-to-face classes – and only requires a few weeks of residency for the entire program!
  • Earn your degree from an accredited Bible college in Pennsylvania and a reputable seminary that connects theological and social science truth in a practical way.
  • Interact face-to-face with global leaders who have led colleges, organizations and churches, as well as written dozens of books.
  • Gain the skills and opportunities to publish your papers and dissertation.
  • Engage with diverse leaders from around the world. Students come from 19 different countries with an even mix of male and female.
  • Students are serving in a variety of fields: church, education, non-profit and business.
  • Students can study in a variety of research designs: qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods.
Career Paths for a Leadership Student

The PhD in Leadership will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers our PhD alumni serve in:

  • Full-Time Faculty
  • College President
  • CEO of NGO
  • College Administrator
  • Vice-President of NGO
  • Senior Pastor
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
  • Gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as servant-leaders. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of the essential knowledge, heart-level commitments and skills needed to carry out the servant leadership model.
  • Grow as leader-teachers. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of indispensable knowledge and rational skills necessary in comprehending human development processes, learning theory and the teaching-learning process.
  • Build and perfect skills as organizational leaders. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of comprehensive knowledge of major leadership theories and related practice.
  • Develop and mature as organizational change agents. This core competency focuses on the essential knowledge, theory-base and skills needed to function as an agent of change within a church, mission organization, faith-based organization, non-profit organization or an institution of higher education.
  • Cultivate skills as researcher-scholars. This core competency focuses on the development of research skills necessary in the completion of a research doctoral degree.
Be Part of a Cohort-based Community of Learners

The PhD in Leadership is a cohort-based program. Students will enter the program with a group of 10 to 14 other students. This cohort follows a prescribed sequence of courses together. Because cohort learning involves a group of students who start and finish their degree together, students experience a number of educational advantages. Cohort learning, combined in a blended manner with both face-to-face and internet-enhanced learning, offers one of the most effective learning opportunities available to the doctoral student. Genuine, rich, and deep relationships will be developed through the course of the program as students support and serve each other in the quest for knowledge. As part of a cohort group, doctoral level students will be expected to ground their research in significant and pertinent literature and to share resources with their colleagues in preparation for on site seminars.

Course Plan

The following is the proposed schedule for this degree program.

Course Title Year Semester Credits
LSP901 Empirical Research I: Critical Inquiry & Research Design One Fall 4
LSP902 Biblical & Theological Foundations of Leadership One Fall 4
LSP903 Character & Ethics in Leadership One Spring 4
LSP904 Personality & Development Theory One Spring 4
LSP905 Teaching and Learning: Theory & Practice Two Fall 4
LSP906 Leadership & Management Theory Two Fall 4
LSP907 Team Dynamics Two Spring 4
LSP908 Empirical Research II: Research Problem & Literature Review Two Spring 4
LSP909 Organizational Theory and Development Three Fall 4
LSP910 Empirical Research III: Prospectus & Instrument Development Three Fall 4
LSP911 Change, Power & Conflict Three Spring 4
LSP912 Comprehensive Exams Three Spring 0
LSP913 Prospectus: Chapters 1-3 Four Fall 4
LSP914 Dissertation Four Fall 12

Meet the Faculty

Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Department Chair for Church & Ministry Leadership, Associate Professor, PhD in Leadership Program Director
Rodney Cooper, PhD
Adjunct Faculty
Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Assistant Director of CML Doctoral Programs, Professor
Michael Anthony, PhD
Adjunct Faculty
Gene Habecker, PhD
Adjunct Faculty
Marc Talbert, PhD
Adjunct Faculty

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Looking for Ways to Finance Your Doctoral Degree?

LBC’s Financial Aid Office can help you navigate the process.