PhD in Organizational Leadership
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Organizational Leadership includes both onsite classes in Indiana and online coursework. Its mission is to provide a Christ centered, innovative, and challenging doctoral program, which enables students to become accomplished in current knowledge, best practices, research, self-directed learning, and teaching.
Our curriculum is designed to contribute to the student's development as a servant leader who has mastered all of the elements represented in the program's conceptual leadership model.
Relevant and Convenient
- Program is offered online or in a hybrid format with some onsite sessions.
- Complete course work in 3 years, followed by a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
- Students who utilize the online format will join synchronously for all 3 sessions each term and attend the one-week Summer Institute.
- Students who utilize the hybrid format will have onsite class sessions once in the January, April and September terms in addition to the one-week Summer Institute in July. Each of those terms will also include two synchronous, technology supported virtual class sessions.
- Professors combine academic credentials with professional expertise
Welcome
We appreciate your decision to consider enrolling in the Indiana Wesleyan University doctoral program. This degree offers advanced graduate education for students seeking academic positions in research and teaching at leading universities, and for those seeking leadership opportunities (in corporations, entrepreneurial business, health care, faith-based institutions, government, and non-profit organizations). The program is designed for working adults who are intellectually driven for advanced study, who thrive on the challenge of self-directed learning, who desire to master the discipline of organizational leadership, and who purpose to contribute to Indiana Wesleyan University’s mission to raise up leaders as world changers.
This doctoral program offers integrated and seamless lock-step curriculum, coursework that is grounded in theory and practice. Our graduate faculty is committed to critical inquiry, excellent teaching, and responsiveness to students. The curriculum reflects current knowledge and best practice related to the field of organizational leadership.
To assist in your decision, we invite you to contact a Program Representative at 866-498-4968 or graduate@indwes.edu, or arrange for a campus visit to meet our faculty.
Dr. Mark Rennaker, Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies
Contact Indiana Wesleyan to learn more about our nonprofit Christian university, our Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, or our other degree completion and Master's programs.
Residencies
Residency for the doctoral program is satisfied by living on campus during three one week long Summer Institutes. Students are expected to be in attendance every day of each Institute and are not allowed an absence from required workshops, events, or class sessions that are scheduled during the Institute.
Attendance Policy
All doctoral courses are a blend of live and interactive online discussions. Students are expected to attend all live sessions and substantively engage in all interactive online discussions, tests, quizzes, and prescribed learning activities.
Tuition & Financial Aid
| Credit Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 60 Total |
$881 / credit hour |
*Effective July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.
The total cost of the program, including tuition and any fees, will be determined prior to your enrollment. Payment for each course is due three weeks before the course begins. Course textbooks are not included in the costs listed above.
The total credit hours and per-credit-hour costs listed above are effective for the core program. For prerequisite or other required courses if applicable, students will need to pay for appropriate tuition, books, and any additional fees. Costs may change if you withdraw from the program and restart in a future program at a later date.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and even employer reimbursement.
For information about financial aid, call 800-621-8667, ext. 2516, visit our financial aid website, or email IWUfinaid@indwes.edu.
Courses
The curriculum of the Indiana Wesleyan University Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Organizational Leadership degree program is designed to contribute to the student's development as a servant leader who has mastered seven domains of knowledge:
- Personal Authenticity
- Organizational Learning
- Organizational Theory and Research
- Change, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
- Globalization and Multiculturalism
- Governance and Ethics
- Servant Leaders as World Changers
Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles below.
NOTE: DOL 920B and DOL 920C are also required in subsequent terms, for a program total of 60 credit hours. If needed, additional terms to complete the dissertation will be done in DOL 922: Dissertation Continuation, at 1 credit hour per each term.
A foundational expertise integrated into each domain is the mastery of critical thinking, research, and problem solving.
The program offers an integrated and seamless progression through courses that requires a one-step enrollment process for the entire program. Courses are taken with a cohort of fellow students, which develops into an action learning team that incorporates the leadership knowledge and experience of both faculty and students. Terms are normally 12 weeks in length and include a blend of classroom and online sessions. Classes meet at IWU's Indianapolis (North) Education Center three Saturdays of each term, with summer residencies held on the main campus in Marion, Indiana, for eight days each July and followed by nine weeks of online discussion forums.
*Course sequence may be changed based on modality.
Requirements
Below are the lists of requirements for the PhD in Organizational Leadership program. Click on each link to expand the requirements. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact one of our admissions representatives at 1-866-498-4968.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Organizational Leadership program, complete the following steps. For more information, call 866-498-4968 to speak with a Program Representative.
- Application: Apply online at indwes.edu.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all institutions the applicant has attended subsequent to the completion of the bachelor’s degree are required.
- TOEFL Scores: Submit a copy of your TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores if English is not your primary language. For more information about the test, see www.toefl.org.
- Three Recommendations: Using the recommendation forms found on our website, completed recommendations must be made by your current leadership team within the past three to five years (for CEOs, this may be the chairman of the board of directors or a peer at another organization), an academic professor or leader in higher education, and someone who can speak to your spiritual character.
- Résumé: Submit a current résumé to include a career objective, previous undergraduate and graduate work, work experience, and special recognition or awards. The résumé should include the number of employees you have supervised in all leadership positions.
- Scholarly Essay: Specific questions for the essay are provided in the application packet. The applicant will address the questions in a manner that demonstrates scholarship and critical thinking.
NOTE: The Admissions Selection Committee retains the right to waive admission requirements for special circumstances.
Transfer Credits
Students may transfer up to nine hours of post-master’s credit from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body of the Association for Biblical Higher Education provided a grade of “B” or higher was earned in a post-master’s course meeting the following criteria of the transcript audit:
- The course is clearly comparable to one of the Ph.D. program course offerings.
- The course is at the 600 or higher numbering system and was not part of the master’s degree requirements.
- The course has been completed within the past five years.
- The course reflects current knowledge-base and best practices.
- The course reflects higher order thinking, study, and assessment requirements of the scholarship of discovery.
- The course has been evaluated by IWU faculty and approved to meet program requirements.
Graduation Requirements
To fulfill graduation requirements, students must have completed all of the following:
- All credits required in the course of studies with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Dissertation credits are recorded as Credit or No Credit.
- Grade of “B-” or higher in each course.
- Successful completion of all required course work and required comprehensive exams.
- Dissertation successfully completed and defended orally. Dissertation must be completed within six years from the point of completing DOL 915.
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
Residency Requirements
Residency for the doctoral program is satisfied by living on the campus in Marion, Indiana, during three Summer Institutes. These institutes take place over seven days, during the month of July.
NOTE: Students are required to attend the three intensives held in the January, April and September terms which run Friday and Saturday at Indianapolis North campus. Online students will attend through synchronized online sessions.
Attendance Policy
All doctoral courses are a blend of live and asynchronous online discussions. Students are expected to attend all live synchronous sessions. Online attendance is determined by participating in weekly asynchronous discussions. Attendance is required every day of the Summer Institute for all students.
Complete the Online Application.
This is your first step toward making your dreams come true for your future. Whether it's to advance your current career, start a new career path, or simply continue that lifelong love of learning, Indiana Wesleyan University is the place for you.
Online ApplicationAdditional Steps to Apply
1. Transcripts
Official transcripts showing degrees conferred for both the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees are required. Indiana Wesleyan University will accept for its permanent file only those transcripts sent directly to IWU by the registrar of the attended institution(s) Official transcripts must exhibit the official seal and signature of the registrar. Transcripts that are stamped “student copy,” “issued to student,” or “unofficial” cannot be accepted as official.
2. Résumé
Submit a current résumé to include a career objective, previous undergraduate and graduate work, work experience, and special recognition or awards. The résumé should include the number of employees you have supervised in all leadership positions.
3. Recommendation Forms
Using this form, completed recommendations must be made by your current leadership team within the past three to five years (for CEOs, this may be the chairman of the board of directors or a peer at another organization), an academic professor or leader in higher education, and someone who can speak to your spiritual character.
4. Essay
The essay is an essential aspect of the admission process and will be carefully assessed in order to make an informed decision regarding your acceptance into the program. Please follow the guidelines and carefully address each question.
Guidelines
- Title page, typed, double spaced and numbered with a minimum of 5 pages and maximum of 6 pages
- Clear and convincing response to the questions.
- Organization and presentation (i.e., readability and formatting).
- Evidence of critical thinking that is clearly expressed
- It should be carefully proof read and use convincing language and phrasing
- Evidence of scholarly (academic) writing skills that evidences an ability to analyze and integrate literature from the leadership field
Scholarly Essay
Included in the essay are the following three components:
- Describe your current understanding of leadership, organizational leadership and one guiding theory.
- Describe your leadership role, in detail provide information that discusses the following:
- Your organization
- Your organizational structure
- Your leadership position
- Your leadership style
- Your span of control
- Challenges
- Opportunities
- Describe why a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership is important and how will it assist you in your current role and prepare you for future roles.
5. TOEFL Scores
Submit a copy of your TOEFL scores if English is not your primary language. For more information about this test, visit www.toefl.org.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Adult Enrollment Services
1900 W. 50th St.
Marion, IN 46953
Please contact your program representative if you have any questions.
Start Dates
Coursework for the Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership is completed online or at IWU's Indianapolis (North) Education Center, with summer residencies completed at our Marion, Indiana, campus. A new cohort of students begins in January and July of each year. Applications and supporting documentation (current résumé, letters of recommendation, essay, undergraduate and graduate transcripts) are due by April 1 for the July cohort group and by October 1st for the January cohort group.
Applicants are encouraged to contact us and speak with a program representative with any questions.
*Early applications are considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Organizational Leadership?
Q: When does the program start?
Q: What are the prerequisites for entering into the program?
Q: Is financial aid available?
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Indiana Wesleyan University does not require an application fee for Adult and Graduate Programs.
Q: When is the application due?
A: Applications and supporting documentation (current résumé, letters of recommendation, essay, graduate transcripts) are due by April 1st for the July cohort group and by October 1st for the January cohort group.
Early applications are considered.
Q: Is the TOEFL required? Can it be waived if time has been spent living or studying in an English-speaking country?
Q: How long does it take to complete the program?
Q: Is there a residency requirement? What is its length?
A: The three-year program is designed for the self-directed adult learner who chooses to maintain a full-time job and can make the commitment of 15 to 25 hours per week of study, review of literature, interaction with colleagues, field-based action learning, and research. Students will participate in an eight-day residency during summers I, II, and III. They will also be engaged in field-based action learning and organizational improvement projects, and nine Saturday classes during each of the first two years of the program.
During the academic years, doctoral students will be engaged in fulfilling action learning and assessment requirements via interactive online courses, to be supplemented by one-day live seminars and assessment sessions with University advisers.
Q: Is there a foreign language requirement?
Q: Is it possible to arrange an interview as part of the application process?
Q: What is the cost of the program?
Q: When will I be notified whether I'm admitted? When do courses begin?
A: Applicants will be notified by e-mail by late May for July entry or by late November for January entry about the admissions committee decision. You will then have one week to accept the admissions offer and make the deposit. If applications are submitted before April 1st / October 1st, an early decision may be made. If you do not meet the deadline, the offer will be rescinded and the next applicant on the waiting list will be contacted.
For July entries, the first two courses begin online in early July and focus on required readings that prepare students for the Summer Residency. (Required reading assignments will be e-mailed to you by early June.) The Summer Residency takes place in mid-July.
Faculty
The members of the Organizational Leadership faculty bring a combination of leadership, teaching ability, and scholarly experience to the classroom and dissertation process. You will learn from professors who have been leaders in business, industry, entrepreneurial companies, higher education, public schools, and nongovernmental organizations. Your experience here will take you far beyond basic leadership theory to implement innovative best practices in your own life and work.
Click on a faculty member's name below to learn more about that individual.
