Ph.D. in Leadership

The Ph.D. in Leadership is a 3-year, interdisciplinary studies degree that aims to prepare students for high-level careers in leadership and service across a range of professional sectors. Our goal is to equip professionals to pursue challenging, high-level responsibilities requiring advanced knowledge, training and rigor, and to do so with the highest levels of integrity, ethical understanding and behavior.

Choose from two concentration pathways:

Policy
Students focus on developing understanding of public policy theory, research and practice. The curriculum develops knowledge and skills of how public policy is conceptualized, developed, adopted and implemented, how to analyze policy issues, develop evidence-based solutions and contribute to the field through relevant and original research.

Strategic Innovation
Students focus on developing knowledge and skills of strategic planning, entrepreneurship, innovation, change, conflict, organizational turnaround, strategic advocacy, proposal writing and how to produce relevant and original research. The curriculum explores how organizations and communities imagine, conceptualize, analyze, resource and implement innovative solutions to organizational and social problems, while exploring the role of emerging technologies.

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Why Earn Your Ph.D. Degree at Lipscomb University?

In-Person or Distance Learning

Courses are offered on campus in Nashville, but students not local to Nashville are still eligible for enrollment. This program offers a distance learning option where students participate in classes live via video-conferencing. This format is synchronous with local course offerings.

Faculty Support

Throughout your journey toward a Ph.D., it's important to have a support network. 100% of our faculty have terminal degrees, and their real-life experience will guide and mentor you as you work on your dissertation and gain skills to succeed in your field.

Bachelor's to Ph.D. Option

Graduating seniors who know a Ph.D. is their ultimate goal may be considered for direct admission to the Ph.D. program if they meet all admission requirements, as well as a 3.5 cumulative GPA and above average GRE scores.