Doctorate in Leadership

Introduction to Doctoral Study 

* Course work and program offerings may be subject to change

Summer Year 1

Research, Writing and Communication
Start the program by reengaging research skills through academic writing practice and communication development. Skills developed will be applied throughout the program as students work to solve a complex problem of practice.

Art and Science of Leadership
Examines prominent leadership theories and empirical research used to inform leadership practice, including the development as servant-leaders at work, in the community and in personal life. Drawing from behavioral and social sciences, interactive dynamics, personality traits, organizational variables and cultural influences will be explored.

Responsible Leadership

Fall Year 1

Ethics and Politics of Decision-Making
Provides opportunities for students to think deeply about theory and practice of ethical leadership. After exploring primary texts from philosophy’s greatest thinkers, students will consider their own ethical beliefs beyond mere common-sense affirmation, and then apply what they have discovered to contemporary leadership situations.

Theology of Leadership
A study of biblical models and prescriptions for leadership, the faithful use of power and authority and the constraints and new possibilities that emerge from forming one’s leadership style and goals according to the purposes of God’s kingdom.

Spring Year 1

International and Intercultural Perspectives
Designed to help students examine the social, psychological, cultural and linguistic complexities experienced by people whose country of origin is not the United States. Students will examine data through various theoretical lenses and complex perspectives to provide insights into meaningful leadership experience.

Legal and Risk Management
Using documented cases and real-life scenarios, students examine the available methods of managing risk. Various relationships will be analyzed with particular attention to the risks presented, the law that applies and the most efficient means of managing risk. Human resources, a topic relevant to all organizations, will be included.

Summer Year 2

Defining the Problem of Practice*
Applying inquiry, research and discussion, the student will understand and define the Problem of Practice, upon which the Dissertation in Practice will be built. This process is based on self-awareness, a desire to address the needs of others, the context of the problem and an analysis between the current and preferred condition.

Research Methodology
A comprehensive review of research paradigms and the relationship between methodologies and the doctoral process: positivistic, qualitative, ideological and pragmatic. Students will be able to classify a research study according to the tradition of inquiry and to express interpretive implications based on that paradigm

Institutional Leadership

Fall Year 2

Dissertation in Practice 1*
A continuation of the previous course, students will complete a literature review based upon the defined Problem of Practice within a specific environment. The final document will provide the reader with appropriate context, a critical analysis of the research and its relationship to the stated problem.

Power & Privilege of Leadership
Focuses on the power of the leader and the privilege it is to lead others. Students will understand in greater depth their “power” as a leader and discover practices to integrate this knowledge as they engage those they lead in day-to-day situations and to be prepared for possible crisis situations. 

Spring Year 2

Data Analysis in Decision-Making
Provides an understanding of how organizations can use data science and analytics to align with their missions and goals, allowing for precise and confident action. Topics include data collection, modeling, analysis, visualization and informed decision-making. Other skills involve communication, presentation and storytelling with data.

Finance and Fundraising
Provides a deeper understanding and appreciation for financial accounting, budgeting and fundraising with applications for the senior-level, non-financial leader. Also provides insight into the development of operating and capital budgets, financing decisions, budgeting process and interpretation of financial statements regardless of one’s particular role.

Public Relations and Social Media
Provides the foundations of professional principles, practice and effective communication in public relations and social media for corporate, governmental and nonprofit organizations. Students will learn how to develop, implement and evaluate strategies based on internal and external environments; new media channels will also be explored. 

Summer Year 3

Dissertation in Practice 2*
Building upon previously completed work toward their dissertation, students will propose the first three chapters of their dissertation. This includes the following chapters: introduction, literature review, and methodology.

Visionary Leadership

Fall Year 3

Historical Leadership
This course will evaluate leadership through the rich tapestry of the human past, promoting an understanding of how cultures, context and circumstances shape decision-making and therefore influence leadership. Students will consider how to apply historically grounded empathetic perspective to contemporary challenges.

Leadership for Sustainability: People, Planet, Profit
Leaders will assess their relationship to the ecosystem in which their organization operates, will identify challenges to the sustainability of the ecosystem and the resources it provides and will develop strategies that promote positive change and long-term resilience. Focus will include both internal and external interdependencies.

Spring Year 3

Strategic Planning
Focuses on strategic goals and objectives for an organization, developing mission and vision statements, determining methods and strategies for policy planning, allocation of resources, sustainable and adaptable value creation processes, short and long-term planning, managerial problem solving and organizational change. 

Technology for Leadership
Provides leadership skills in assessing emerging and evolving technologies and exploring the technological readiness of a program, department or organization. Students will examine needs assessments and learn strategies in developing a technology plan and mentoring others in the effective integration of technology.

Final Summer

Leading Transformational Change
Focuses on the use of leadership theory to empower individuals within an organization to bring about internal and external change. Students will use both leadership and change theory to examine human behavior and issues such as overcoming groupthink, resistance to change and coping with new paradigms.

Dissertation in Practice 3*
Students will produce the final, generative project, which should have an immediate impact in their workplaces, add to the body of knowledge and demonstrate how this knowledge may be applied to future challenges in a dynamic world. The presentation/defense is the last formal activity in the program.

*These four courses serve as a guide through the degree program’s Dissertation in Practice. These courses provide the foundation for a strong research study while students engage with his or her dissertation committee starting in summer two and for the remainder of the program. Each student is supported by his or her unique dissertation committee in order to complete the Dissertation in Practice.

Thirty credits of USF's Ed.S. degree count toward USF's Doctorate in Leadership degree.

Total Program Credits: 60

Discover a unique strength within the USF Doctorate in Leadership program: the invaluable opportunity to learn not just from professionals in your industry, but also from diverse disciplines. This cohort approach not only enriches your learning experience, but also provides consistent support.

Benefit from the collective knowledge of your cohort and the unwavering guidance of our dedicated USF faculty and staff, ensuring you have a professional network to propel you towards your goals.

To be considered for admission to the Doctorate in Leadership, applicants must:

• Possess a master's or equivalent professional degree.
• Complete an online application. 
• Provide two (2) recommendation forms submitted electronically. (See application for details. These should be from individuals in the applicant's professional and/or academic network.) 
• Provide a writing sample: An academic paper from the applicant’s most recent degree.  
• Provide a current writing sample: Personal Statement essay
  • The Personal Statement provides the Admissions Committee with an opportunity to learn about your research interests and desire to pursue a doctoral degree. The USF Doctorate in Leadership follows a Dissertation in Practice model which is an applied research study in one's professional context. In 750-1,000 words, the goal is for you to share your "why" of pursuing the USF Doctorate in Leadership. In doing so, describe a researchable problem within your professional context, why this problem is of personal interest, and how you might address the problem. This problem may be the topic you pursue for your Dissertation in Practice, but you are not required to pursue it. Since this statement is part of the application, display your best writing. Please submit to doctorate@usiouxfalls.edu as a double-spaced PDF.
• Interview
• Have earned a GPA of 3.0. (most recent degree)
• Note: No GRE required.

Important Dates

• April 15: Priority Application Deadline
• May 30: Classes begin

*USF alumni holding an Ed.S. degree will only need 30 credits.

As you go through these steps, don't hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or are unclear about any part of the process.

1. Apply for admission and receive acceptance into the Doctorate in Leadership program at the University of Sioux Falls.

2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov and have the results sent to USF (school code 003469). The FAFSA form must be renewed on an annual basis.

3. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours per semester in courses required to complete the Doctorate in Leadership degree in order to qualify for federal loans. 

4. Students will receive an aid offer from the USF Financial Aid Office each semester in which the student has completed the above steps and is eligible to receive financial aid.

5. Students needing financial assistance have other financing options for semesters when federal loans are not available. Students can apply for a private loan or an interest-free payment plan. See the Additional Funding Sources page for further details on these options.