Leadership Studies Ph.D. Overview

Collaborative leadership calls for a style that employs both personal and professional skills such as the ability to establish mission and direction; elicit and cultivate cooperation; and empower institutions, organizations and communities to achieve greater levels of quality, effectiveness and flexibility.

History
For 30 years the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences has provided doctoral candidates the conceptual and practical tools needed to make consequential contributions in a variety of academic and professional disciplines. The program is grounded in a theoretical framework designed to challenge our students’ perspectives of successful leadership practices and strategies, and provide them with the ability to affect positive and sustainable change in our global community.

Degrees
In 1982 we awarded our first Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies and now boast over 300 alumni of that program. In 2006, we received approval to offer the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership Studies.

Doctoral Program
The leadership doctoral program is characterized by a rich diversity of people who share a commitment to upholding the highest standards of intellectual inquiry and academic freedom. The program includes a common core of studies in leadership theory and practice, as well as courses, internships, projects and independent studies oriented toward the specific needs of each participant.

Our Students
Participants in our doctoral program come from a wide array of professional fields; they are teachers, administrators, mid and upper level executives, professionals in nonprofit organizations, military personnel, therapists and leaders in a variety of other professional arenas. After graduation they may seek professions as university professors or work as policy analysts, evaluators or consultants.

Highlights
By offering an education rooted in critical analysis and reflection, our candidates have the opportunity to:

• Inspire a clear, mutual vision; one that integrates individual and organizational aspirations for sustained performance and continuous improvement;

• Develop skill sets that empower them to mobilize the forces of inclusion and diversity for the attainment of organizational objectives;

• Apply theoretical concepts to organizational systems; thinking critically to assess current and/or continuing problems, and employ acquired tools of inquiry to facilitate positive change;

• Develop new levels of insight and self-awareness regarding their strengths and challenges as a leader;

• Become part of a collaborative community that allows doctoral candidates to learn from their peers, support one another and develop habits and practices that facilitate future professional growth;

• Develop the resources and flexibility to pursue a dynamic range of dissertation topics;

• Take advantage of paid graduate assistantships offered in: assessment, nonprofit leadership and management, teaching leadership, community college leadership and global education;

• Benefit from the small class size and personalized attention from dedicated faculty; and

• Use the applied learning opportunities available from our institutes and centers:
o Leadership Institute
o The Caster Family Center for Nonprofit Research
o Educational Leadership Development Academy (ELDA)
o SOLES Global Center
o The Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL)