Lynchburg College

What you'll study

Core emphasis is on advanced leadership theory, research design, and methodological skill development. You will:

• Develop and critique leadership models and create paradigms applicable to your practice.
• Engage deeply with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including coursework that prepares you to design, implement, analyze, and ethically conduct studies (including IRB training and dissertation defenses).
• Select a concentration to focus dissertation topics and coursework; each concentration is a 57 credit-hour, fully online pathway.

Available concentrations (each 57 credit-hours):

• Education Leadership — research linked to policy, governance, curriculum/instruction/assessment, special education, program evaluation, and organizational performance in K–12 and higher education settings.
• Healthcare Leadership — research relevant to complex care systems, organizational behavior in healthcare, management, and topics such as informatics or finance, with attention to ethics and system-level challenges.
• Interdisciplinary Leadership — study leadership across sectors, framing cross-cutting research questions and system analyses for complex, multi-sector problems.
• Nonprofit Leadership — focus on governance, capacity, fundraising and grant writing, public policy, and the leadership decisions that affect sustainability and impact in mission-driven organizations.

Assessment and milestone examples named in the curriculum include assignments and examinations such as LS 815 (Leadership Models), LS 804 (Qualitative Article Review), LS 802 (Dissertation Critique), LS 808 (Dissertation Review and Proposal Draft assignments), a comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal defense, IRB training completion, and a final dissertation defense.

Entry requirements

The public programme description does not list detailed admissions criteria. Prospective applicants should consult the university’s admissions page or contact admissions to learn specific prerequisites, required materials, and any professional experience expectations for the doctoral cohort.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for research-focused careers in academia, policy, and organizational research. Typical sectors named by the program include higher education, K–12 education systems, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, corporate entities, and public organizations where evidence-based leadership, program evaluation, and system improvement are needed.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The programme page does not specify funding options. Applicants commonly explore university scholarships, departmental support, research assistantships, employer sponsorship, and external grants; prospective students should contact the university’s financial aid office for current funding opportunities and guidance on loans or employer tuition benefits.