USF Doctorate of Leadership

Doctorate in Leadership (Ed.D.)

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Learn To Lead
At All Levels

No matter your professional background, this advanced program from the University of Sioux Falls shapes practitioners into transformational leaders, ready to lead positive change within their respective fields. The Doctorate in Leadership provides an interdisciplinary perspective of ethical leadership, informed by and aligned with USF’s Christian liberal arts tradition.

April 15

Priority Deadline

May 30

Classes Begin

Something For Everyone

Embark on a meaningful academic journey with the USF Doctorate in Leadership, where our doctoral students come from diverse sectors such as K-12 and higher education, business, banking, ministry, nonprofits, healthcare and government. Students continue working full-time while applying their learning to the fields and vice versa. Throughout the program, students write a Dissertation in Practice, taking a current problem of practice and seeking to solve it. Join us at USF, where leadership takes on new dimensions, and your journey towards becoming a scholarly practitioner begins.

FLEXIBLE OPTIONS

USF’s Doctorate in Leadership is built for full-time working professionals.

Starting in May 2024, the Doctorate in Leadership program has even more flexibility! We will offer a “dual modality” experience for on-campus classes.

Students will have the option to join via Zoom or in the classroom on campus – expanding your opportunity to connect with individuals from across the nation in a way that works for you. Additionally, some courses will be fully online with remote meetings.

The 10-semester program includes two, one-week on-campus residency experiences during the second and third summers of the program. This intensive experience allows for a deep dive into dissertation writing and leadership development — and some guaranteed fun in the heart of Sioux Falls!

COHORT MODEL

Discover a unique strength within the USF Doctorate in Leadership program: the invaluable opportunity to learn not just from professionals in your industry but also from diverse disciplines. This cohort approach not only enriches your learning experience but also provides consistent support.

Benefit from the collective knowledge of your cohort and the unwavering guidance of our dedicated USF faculty and staff, ensuring you have a professional network to propel you towards your goals.

BE IN-DEMAND

Built on the foundation of ethical leadership, students will acquire

in-demand skills such as:

Strategic Planning
Effective Communication
Data Analysis
Research Methodology
International and Intercultural Perspectives
Financial Acumen

2021 DISSERTATION TOPICS

Higher Education

Black Women’s Perceptions of Inclusion in Administration Roles within College Athletics
Creating a Phygital Student Journey with Enrollment Management

Healthcare

Effects of a Wellness Curriculum on Mitigating Burnout for Resident Physicians
Leadership Framework Development for Physicians in Leadership Positions

Business

Parental Stressors of Children in Youth Sports
Adult English Language Learners’ Experiences with English Acquisition

K-12

Inclusive Practices Improvement using PDSA Cycles for Elementary Students with Moderate-to-Profound Disabilities
High School Teacher Perception of Student Social-Emotional Wellbeing

What It Takes

Curriculum

USF’s Doctorate in Leadership curriculum was designed just for this program. You’ll notice the majority are leadership-focused courses in responsible leadership, institutional leadership, and visionary leadership. These courses are spread throughout the entirety of the program to ensure continuous development in your personal leadership style and knowledge. Dissertation-focused courses begin year two and are spread throughout the rest of the doctoral program.

View Curriculum

Admission Requirements

Possess a master's or equivalent professional degree.
Complete an online application.
Provide two (2) recommendation forms submitted electronically. (See application for details. These should be from individuals in the applicant's professional and/or academic network.)
Provide a writing sample: An academic paper from the applicant’s most recent degree.
Provide a Personal Statement essay*
Interview
Have earned a GPA of 3.0. (most recent degree)
Note: No GRE required

*The Personal Statement provides the Admissions Committee with an opportunity to learn about your research interests and desire to pursue a doctoral degree. The USF Doctorate in Leadership follows a Dissertation in Practice model, which is an applied research study in one's professional context. In 750-1,000 words, the goal is for you to share your "why" of pursuing the USF Doctorate in Leadership. In doing so, describe a researchable problem within your professional context, why this problem is of personal interest and how you might address the problem. This problem may be the topic you pursue for your Dissertation in Practice, but you are not required to pursue it. Since this statement is part of the application, display your best writing. Please submit to doctorate@usiouxfalls.edu as a double-spaced PDF.

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What's Next?

Ready to join the next cohort?