Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership

Program Description/Overview

This is a multidisciplinary program designed to develop and prepare students for a role in leadership. The program trains professionals, practitioners, researchers, and facilitators of learning to apply their knowledge and develop leadership at all levels, in any organization in any part of the world.

This program is for experienced professionals and leaders who would like to progress to a higher level in their careers and in their own knowledge and expertise. The program follows a professional practice model, emphasizing core competencies that integrate theory, research, and practice in training leaders for local and global careers. Students are rigorously trained in applying leadership knowledge base to practice. Throughout the program students are expected to learn, to apply, and to teach in order to make a difference in a world desperately in need of qualified leaders and of widely diffused leadership.

In addition to becoming thoroughly grounded in the theory, students go through a series of courses that allow them to assess and create a development plan for their own leadership capabilities in a coaching model format of teaching and learning. Students are also required to complete practicum courses that allow them to apply the knowledge and models that they gained in the program.

This program has a strong focus on diversity and on international competencies, with professors and students having diverse backgrounds and coming from different countries. Cohorts in the program include accomplished professionals who are working in successful positions, some with international backgrounds and several are former US military. This creates a network of professionals that enhances life-long career opportunities of the graduates. Many of our students publish, either writing books or conference papers or journal articles which further enhances their professional stature.

It is expected that this program will take a minimum of three (3) years full-time study, however, a more practical time frame is four (4) years if students are not able to take classes full time when offered.

The California School of Management Leadership (CSML) graduate programs at Alliant International University require practical training from the first term until graduation.

Students in the ground program are required to participate in curricular practical training as part of their experiential learning throughout the program. Practical training is intended to develop professional and applied practice related skills and expertise in the student’s program through a variety of work and learning experiences which could involve supervised practical training and/or applied client projects. This is required throughout the academic program from start on Day 1 to program completion.

Domestic students can contact the CSML Professional Development (CPD) Coordinator directly for guidance. International students must apply for authorization for Curricular Practical Training to the Designated School Official (DSO) and schedule an appointment at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the Curricular Practical Training. Please email ISSO@alliant.edu to schedule an appointment. Note that an international students may begin curricular practical training ONLY after receiving their Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement. To be considered Curricular Practical Training, the work must be related to your major field of study. Please view CSML CPT Application Process for International Students  for application information.

Effective October Term 2024, Alliant International University will not be accepting applications for admission or admitting new students to this program.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

Overarching Program Goals

1. Academic Goals: Through a thorough grounding in established and emerging leadership theory and practice, training in research methodology, participation in the collective doctoral community learning experiences, the doctoral students will successfully create new knowledge in the field of leadership studies and disseminate that knowledge through a published dissertation. This kind of new knowledge creation meets the academic research competency requirements of a PhD and also develops the conceptual skills that are necessary for executive-level leadership within organizations.
2. Applied or Practitioner Goals: This doctoral program also puts emphasis on applied and practitioner aspects of leadership. Authentic and mindful leadership, increased insight into the many dimension of leadership, and the formulation of a personal philosophy of leadership are taught in the program. In addition, the two Practicum courses provide an opportunity for students to apply their leadership knowledge and skills to solving problems in the context on an organization in a global context. These applied and practitioner goals will help to further the leadership career aspirations of our doctoral students.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge of leadership theories, research methods, and research design to evaluate literature or conduct original research to advance the field of leadership.
2. Apply leadership theory to initiate transformative solutions and propose opportunities for improvement in a global organizational context.
3. Choose culturally appropriate communication and build productive relationships with people of diverse cultural and international backgrounds.
4. Value greater self-awareness regarding personal strengths and areas for development to enhance leadership competencies.
5. Create new knowledge through critical evaluation and relevant application of leadership theories and communicate it with clarity and impact utilizing written and oral communication channels.
6. Develop a set of ethical standards and model them in decision-making in the practice of leadership with colleagues, other students, and the general public in a local and global environment.
7. Demonstrate a strategic leadership approach with an emphasis on successful completion of tasks in virtual, cross-functional, and/or interdisciplinary teams.

Training Model

The program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary and global perspective for managers and leaders to improve their practical and theoretical capabilities to create new knowledge and apply leadership to create innovation and solve problems in organizations in the 21st century.

The program encourages an interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach integrating theories and insights principally from Business and Psychology. The program prepares students for executive positions in leadership; leadership consulting, or academic positions in teaching, research or administration in Higher Education institutions.

The two focus areas:

1. Research (evolving and new theories and models): A major part of the curriculum and doctoral experience, supported by 60 units of course work, focuses on core leadership concepts, research methods, and methodology.

2. Application: The second focus of the curriculum is on application. It is supported by 9 units of course work including practicums and/or internships.

Programmatic Accreditation

The program is accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which is a globally recognized accreditation body for business and management area programs.

Internship, Practicum, and/or Dissertation Information

Practical Training Throughout the Program: Practical training is an integral part of the California School of Management Leadership (CSML) programs and aligns with the academic goals and learning outcomes for each program. CSML graduate programs at Alliant International University require practical training from the first term until graduation. 

Students in the ground program are required to participate in curricular practical training as part of their experiential learning throughout the program starting on day 1. Students in the Online program are required to participate in curricular applied experiencial learning. In practical training courses students will be engaged in developing professional and applied practice related skills and expertise per the student’s program learning objectives. This is achieved through a variety of work and learning experiences which could involve supervised practical training and/or applied client projects. This is required throughout the academic program from start on Day 1 to program completion.

It is the student’s responsibility to find practical training opportunities, however the CSML Practical Training Coordinator will support students in providing practical training opportunities. International students should check with the International Students Office (ISSO) for more details. 

Practical training courses are part of CSML’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) plan and infrastructure.

The goals of the CSML’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) plan are the following:

1. To enable students to showcase their real-world experiences before graduation, CPD  aims to assist them in developing and polishing their resumes and cover letters while also equipping them with a discipline-specific body of knowledge and encouraging research, scholarship, and continuous learning in their chosen field of study.
2. To provide students with practical training positions or projects that are aligned with their program of study, allowing them to gain valuable insight into the context of practice and apply their knowledge and research in new and innovative ways.      
3. To offer support and access to a personalized job fair, projects, and job listings while also providing opportunities for the student to apply new and innovative ways of gaining insight into the context of practice. This ensures that students not only secure practical training opportunities but also develop the skills to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and gain valuable experience that sets them apart in the job market.
4. To provide students with opportunities to participate in real-world consulting projects, including business development, professional development, minority-owned businesses, and humanitarian causes, while also emphasizing the importance of multicultural/international competence and promoting team-based and multidisciplinary approaches. This approach ensures that students develop a well-rounded set of skills, including cultural sensitivity and the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams, which are essential in today’s global and interconnected workplace.
5. To provide students with support, resources, and opportunities to develop their professional literacy and communication skills, including written and verbal communication, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills. This will help students effectively communicate their knowledge, skills, and experiences to potential employers, colleagues, and clients.
6. To encourage students to engage in research, conferences, and scholarship opportunities independently to enhance their knowledge and skills. CPD achieves this goal by providing students with resources, guidance, and support to pursue research, attend conferences, and apply for scholarship opportunities.
7. To take a holistic approach that directs, equips, and empowers students to take control of their future selves by providing resources, accountability, and motivation to remove ambiguity and replace it with confidence and inspiration, while also fostering conduct, judgment, dispositions, and ethics. This approach ensures that students develop not only the skills and knowledge necessary for success but also the ethical values and personal qualities needed to make sound decisions and contribute positively to society.
8. To offer students real opportunities, inspirational instructors, and authentic practical experiences that can make a real difference in the world, while also helping students build their resumes and set them apart in the job market.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 60

Total Core Credit Units: 60

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Degree Requirements

A comprehensive exam is required to ensure qualified doctoral candidacy.

In addition to classroom instruction, all students in the on-ground program are required to get practical training experience in an approved setting for a minimum of 45 hours in every academic term throughout the program.

Curriculum Plan

The following curriculum plan is a sample and serves only as a general guide. Curriculum plans and course sequence are subject to variation depending on a student’s start term and other factors such as student course demand. Students must complete all coursework required for their program as set forth in their individual master plan of study.