Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership James Madison University

The Ph.D. degree in Strategic Leadership Studies will serve you well if you are seeking to advance your career in higher education, the nonprofit sector, or the corporate world. Program participants are instructed in the broader visionary perspectives necessary for effective leadership roles as well as practical applications grounded in sophisticated research skills. The program prepares adult learners to be effective leaders and organizational change agents through rigorous theoretical study and practical application coupled with experiential learning, and a strong emphasis on innovation and evidence-based decision making.

Program participants enroll in courses across a variety of disciplines including statistics and methodology, business management, and core leadership theory and ethics in organizations. Elective credits allow students the flexibility to explore topics specific to their concentration of study and relevant to their future career goals and research interests. The Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership Requires students to complete a total of 54 credits of coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research (66 credits total).

Coursework

Statistics and Measurement Courses (0-12 credits)

• LEAD 705 Advanced Research Methods in Leadership Studies
• LEAD 805 Accountability & Leadership Evaluation I
• LEAD 806 Accountability & Leadership Evaluation II
• LEAD810 Leadership Research I
• LEAD 811 Leadership Research II

Business Management Courses (0-9 credits)

• MBA 617. Corporate Financial Decision Making
• MBA 620. Accounting for Decision Making and Control
• MBA 691. Strategic Management

Leadership Theory in Organizations & Research (12 credits)

• LEAD 700. Introduction to Leadership Studies and Ethics
• LEAD 740. Foundations of Postsecondary Education
• LEAD 750. Organizational Science Theory and Change
• LEAD 760. Proseminar in Principles of Nonprofit Organizations

Electives (12 credits)

Students choose 4 electives in consultation with academic advisor.

• LEAD 703. Special Topics in Leadership
• LEAD 710. Advocacy for Change Leadership
• LEAD 711. Effective College Teaching
• LEAD 751. Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• LEAD 752. Organizational Change and Strategic Human Resource Management
• LEAD 761. Civil Society
• LEAD 762. Organizational Governance
• LEAD 763. Philanthropy & Resource Development
• LEAD 780. Policy Development & Analysis
• LEAD 790: Postsecondary Dynamics
• PSYC 830. Structural Equation Modeling
• PSYC 836. Hierarchical Linear Modeling
• PSYC 840. Mixed Methods

Advanced Coursework (18 credits)

• LEAD 890. Advanced Leadership Dynamics
• LEAD 891. Externship in Advanced Leadership
• LEAD 900. Doctoral Dissertation (12 credits)

This program also requires students to complete an Externship (applied learning experience).

Strategic Leadership Studies, Ph.D. Alumni Career Placement

Over 90% of our alumni hold leadership positions within their organizations or have achieved career advancement within months of completing the program. The Ph.D. degree in Strategic Leadership Studies program currently has 44 alumni working in higher education, nonprofit organizations, and the public school system. Learn more about our alumni, their research, and current roles on the alumni page.